Many houses in the samurai district of Kakunodate, Akita, remained unchanged for the last 400 years, although some of them are still inhabited. The protection against the winter heavy snowfall is also unchanged: wooden boards are assembled around the house, to keep away the snow and to protect the house walls by creating a protective pocket of air.

Iwahashi Samurai House, Kakunodate, Akita

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Hogon-in Kyoto autumn illumination