Location: Nanto
Top Things to do in Nanto
Top 10 Things to do in Nanto, Japan
Discover the best top things to do in Nanto, Japan including Ainokura Gassho Community, Gokayama, Suganuma Gassho Community, Ainokura Observatory, Inami Betsuin Zuizenji Temple, Michi-no-Eki Fukumitsu, Ainokura Minzokukan, Takase Shrine, Murakami Residential Home, Iox Arosa.
Restaurants in Nanto
1. Ainokura Gassho Community
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 218 reviews
Reviewed By Chelsea B - Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
Ainokura is the most remote village in the Gokayama region, although quite large with around 20 gassho-zukuri farmhouses. The village is a world heritage site and being such a remote village means it's been successful at maintaining its culture. The village was very quiet and quaint.
2. Gokayama
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 233 reviews
Reviewed By Afonsinho - Portugal
The “prayer-hands construction” village is very small and can feel and see everyday real living village with people living and working there. Went there by bus from Shiragawa-go and was worth it (not so overcrowded and commercial as Shiragawa.go)... The view from the mountain over the village is unique and felt like a time travel journey...
3. Suganuma Gassho Community
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 153 reviews
Reviewed By jeni_hk - Hong Kong, China
We stopped by Suganuma Village on our way leaving Gokayama. Our first reaction is that the village is really quite small, featuring nine gassho houses. Again, we did not go into any of the houses, so we were done walking the site in less than 20 minutes. I recall there was one shop open, and many of the cafes were actually closed. I think we saw only two other tourists here during our visit, so it was a really relaxed and not crowded place to visit. There is a good spot to take photos near the bridge overlooking the river.
It would've been nice to have more information/directions on this site, and perhaps they are still in the process of really building this out to be more tourist-friendly and hope over time it will improve. As I'm writing this review, I'm surprised to find out that after you take the elevator down to the tunnel, there is actually a Gokayama Gassho no Sato site if you take a left in the tunnel. Don't recall seeing any signs and completely missed this.... We only turned right to Suganuma Village. Secondly, we tried to find the "lookout" as per some signs, but failed... we suspect it was hidden behind the piles of snow - it seemed less of the snow piles were taken care of here when compared to Ainokura Village .
Same parking charges apply here - 500 yen per car. The parking pass you get from Ainokura Village does NOT work here.
Personally, I feel that if you are visiting Ainokura Village and Shirakawago, you could probably give this place a pass. It is really quite small, and didn't feel like there was much more additional that it could offer. Of course, this is taking into consideration that we did not visit any of their museums.
4. Ainokura Observatory
Overall Ratings
4 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By themoonindaylight
Our walk up to this classic "whole village" photography spot took a little more time than expected due to having to tread carefully uphill on the snow. The view across the village and to the Mountains is lovely, however, and absolutely worth the effort! Ainokura looks like something from a storybook, even more so when blanketed in snow.
5. Inami Betsuin Zuizenji Temple
6. Michi-no-Eki Fukumitsu
Overall Ratings
4 based on 26 reviews
7. Ainokura Minzokukan
Overall Ratings
4 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By libica - Pretoria, South Africa
This is a small Gassho house, with the layout typical for these houses. This is a small museum and there is a documentary about the construction,maintenance and customs of these houses (all in Japanese but easy to follow) and the lady, who takes the entrance fee sings and uses the musical instruments of the area, whilst the documentary is playing. All very atmospheric. There is some Washi and cosmos flour seeds to buy from the shop.
8. Takase Shrine
9. Murakami Residential Home
Overall Ratings
4 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By jeni_hk - Hong Kong, China
When we dropped by the Gokayama visitor center, it was recommended that we visited Murakami Residential Home. This is described as one of the oldest and most representative gassho houses, so why not! We were in the area relatively early and figured if we were to see the inside of any gassho house, this should be the one!
Murakami residential home is literally just steps away from the tourist center, so we just left our car in the tourist center's parking. There is a 300 yen charge per adult to visit the house, which we thought was very fair. Must remove shoes before entering the gassho house (you may already have the hang of this already :) ).
The lady/owner(?) showed us into the house. There was a coal fire pit, above was a pot of tea that was cooking. This kept the room very warm, and it was pretty cold that day (think 0 degrees celcius and snowing). After we were offered cups of tea and some English pamphlets, the lady sat next to us and introduced various traditional instruments. Even though we clearly didn't understand any Japanese, she was still very enthusiastic and performed a folk song using those instruments.
We then went around to see the house - the upper floors are also open to visitors. Just take care when climbing the ladder-like-stair as it is a bit steep (especially on the way down). It was very interesting the tour the house and see the architecture and layout. They also showed objects, furniture and household goods that were used during those days. Sadly, no explanation available in English, but then again I suspect most of their visitors are actually Japanese tourists.
Overall we did enjoy this visit. Even though we didn't understand much, it was interesting to see the Gassho house from the inside and we enjoyed the folk song performance. Do stop by if you're in Gokayama!
10. Iox Arosa
Overall Ratings
4 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By takashi714 - Imizu, Japan
全般的にはおしゃれなスキー場なのですがゲレンデ設計がよくないスキー場です。せっかくのゴンドラに乗ってすべてのコースを滑れるのかといえばさらに上にあるリフトでしか行けない小さな200メートルほどしか距離がないゲレンデが最上部です。
雪が少ない時期はここだけがオープンしていることもあります。
ゴンドラに乗って滑るコースは狭くて急で滑りにくいです。
そして下の広くて短いゲレンデは傾斜角度もない平地です。
効率的に存分にスキーを楽しめないのがこのスキー場です。
いつも行って滑ってみてから行かなければよかったと後悔してしまいます。
イオックスアローザは年中いろいろとイベントしていますがスキーがメインです。
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