UNESCO World Heritage Shirakawa-gō Village is famous for its gassho-zukuri (合掌造り, clapsed-hands style houses) settlements. These gassho-zukuri have a peak roofs to allow rain or snow run down straightly to avoid collapse in severe weather. Since gassho-zukuri are basically composed of wood, bamboo and straw, villages often sprinkled water onto the rooftops, preventing hasty spread of fire. This tradition has now become a regular fire drill at this tourist spot.

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