[Wada-ke Traditional House] Old, but multi-functional house with gentle atmosphere

Wada House is one of the biggest gassho-houses which was owned by the ex-village chief, Masami Wada.

Focusing on the tourism value of Ogimachi, he established an ordinance to make the village designated as an Important Traditional Building Group Protection District of the country.

Moreover, he opened his house in public, which is nation’s Important Cultural Asset.

Eventually, Shirakawago became one of the largest tourist places in Japan, famed by the title as World Heritage.

Wada House 1st floor

There are a large room with tatami-matted floor and Buddhist alter. This is the place for inviting relatives, neighbors and other locals to the Buddhist memorial event known as "ho'on koh". This event is also meant to deepen the bonding of the community in order to cope with the nature difficulty.

Wada House 2nd floor

There was a workplace for sericulture. Sericulture farmers feed on mulberry and raise silkworms to produce cocoons. The inhabitant made living by selling the cocoons to silk mills. The people of the household call the silkworms with the honorific title of 'Okaiko-sama' as a sign of gratitude for the silkworms that have supported the family's livelihood.