Ono District, Traditional village district in Gifu Prefecture, Japan
Ono District is an administrative area in Gifu Prefecture covering mountainous terrain and containing Shirakawa Village. The village features distinctive gassho-zukuri houses with steeply angled thatched roofs constructed without nails.
The district was established in 1879 as an administrative division in Gifu Prefecture. This reorganization helped preserve the character of Shirakawa Village during Japan's period of rapid modernization.
The gassho-zukuri houses served as both homes and silk workshops for families across generations. Today, visitors can observe how daily life unfolded within these multi-purpose spaces through preserved interiors and traditional crafts.
The region receives over 10 meters of snow annually, which shaped how local houses were built with their steep roofs for drainage. Winter visits require proper preparation due to heavy snowfall and mountain terrain.
Local fire prevention teams conduct three daily patrols throughout Shirakawa Village to protect the wooden structures from fire. This constant watch exists because the thatch and timber are highly flammable and would spread quickly if ignited.
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