Wada House

Wada House is a traditional gasshō-zukuri residence in Ogimachi with three floors and steeply pitched thatched roofs that shed heavy snow. The wooden structure features open roof spaces designed for storage and ventilation beneath the thatch.

The Wada family served as village leaders during the Edo period and generated wealth through silk production and trade in gunpowder materials. The house later received designation as an Important Cultural Property of Japan in recognition of its historical value.

The house bears the name of the Wada family, who continue to inhabit and maintain the building as a living residence. The steep roofline and visible storage spaces directly reflect how residents managed daily tasks and seasonal rhythms in this mountain environment.

Visitors can explore two floors of the house and should expect narrow staircases and low ceilings typical of this construction style. Access is easily reached on foot, but entering requires removing shoes, preserving the traditional living space.

The house continues to breed silkworms from July through August, allowing visitors to observe traditional silk farming in action. This ongoing practice connects the family's historical craft tradition directly with the visitor experience today.

Location: Ogimachi

Architectural style: gasshō-zukuri

Fee: Yes

Charge: 400 JPY/adult;200 JPY/child

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 09:00-17:00

GPS coordinates: 36.26007,136.90763

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:47