Gokayama Suganuma Gassho‑zukuri
Village with Rental Bicycles

Cycle Around Gokoyama
Suganuma Gassho‑zukuri Village
with Nanchari Rental Bicycles

I rented an e-bike from the Gokayama Tourist Information Center and set off on my cycling adventure. As I leisurely pedaled along the scenic Sho River, a sweeping view of thatched-roof houses soon came into view. In the Suganuma district where gassho-zukuri houses built from the late Edo period to the early Meiji period stand side by side, a total of nine houses remain today as their inhabitants continue to thrive. I got off my bicycle and started to walk around. The striking thatched-roofs immediately caught my eye, and I was once again in awe of their overwhelming presence and by the high level traditional craftsmanship preserved over generations.
It felt nostalgic somehow, as if the handiwork and feelings of the people of the past were being conveyed to me. My heart warm, I stopped by a souvenir shop where crafts made from Gokayama washi (traditional Japanese paper) were displayed. The delicate, adorable designs stole my heart! You can sense a simplicity and gentleness in the crafts each artisan carefully made one-by-one.
I then enjoyed a few local specialties like Gokayama tofu and gohei mochi (grilled rice cake) at a café. I won’t forget the taste or this trip anytime soon!
Cycling through Gokayama wasn’t just about nostalgic scenery; it was also a special moment to decompress and enjoy the warmth of the local culture and people.