Murakami House
Located in Kaminashi, the Murakami family residence is one of the oldest gassho-zukuri (steep thatched roof) structures in Gokayama. Built in the late seventeenth century, the well-preserved home is now designated an Important Cultural Property, and it serves as a fine example of the region’s gassho-style architecture. The Murakami House has four floors, the upper levels of which were dedicated to silk production, one of Gokayama’s main industries. Today, various artifacts and tools used in sericulture and washi papermaking are displayed on the second and third floors. Visitors can explore up to the third floor of the house as well as meet its inhabitants; members of the Murakami family, who live here, sit around the traditional irori fireplace while sharing interesting stories and performing folk music and dance accompanied by traditional musical instruments such as the sasara, a clapper made from wooden slats connected by a cord. Guests can purchase gifts and souvenirs.