Suganuma Village 菅沼合掌造り集落

A smaller-scale version of the Ainokura experience, Suganuma Village shares its neighbor's mountainside setting and rich historical background. The compact nature of the village also makes it easy to see some key features of Gokayama in a short time.

Suganuma Village is easily reached by bus. You can visit Suganuma as a day trip from Toyama or Takaoka . From Shintakaoka Station, buses reach the village in about 80 minutes. Buses from the opposite direction connect Shirakawa-go and Suganuma in about 30 minutes.

A number of local museums serve the area, with business hours typically falling between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

One often-overlooked part of Suganuma Village is Gokayama Gassho no Sato, hidden away on the other side of a tunnel. The buildings here no longer house tourist attractions but instead serve as dormitories for visiting students. Being off the main stretch, it's quieter than central Suganuma Village, so you can stroll around snapping pictures at your leisure.

If you find yourself in Suganuma Village in January or February, ask about the Yukiakari illumination event, held on evenings in the winter.