This pair of omiyage kokeshi dolls hails from Shirakawa-go (白川郷), a UNESCO World Heritage village nestled in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Renowned for its iconic gassho-zukuri farmhouses with steep thatched roofs designed to withstand heavy snowfall, Shirakawa-go is a beloved destination known for its scenic beauty and deep cultural heritage.
Each kokeshi in this set features a rounded body with hand-painted scenes of the gasshō-zukuri farmhouses. The name means “constructed like hands in prayer” because of the steep. Some of these homes are over 250 years old and are still inhabited or used as guesthouses, museums, or cultural centers.
Their sweet expressions, colorful side details, and decorative cords around their necks further enhance their character as traditional souvenirs. These kokeshi serve as heartfelt keepsakes capturing the quiet elegance of rural Japan and the timeless spirit of Shirakawa-go’s snowy village life.
