The Gifu Prefecture in Japan is home to Shirakawa-go, a historic community recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The village is composed of Gassho-style homes, unique structures with thatched roofs that can withstand heavy snowfall. To protect the village, a biannual event called the Water Hose Festival is held to test the site’s ability to respond to fire, as Colossal details:
The flammable and historic nature of the structures spurred caretakers to install massive sprinklers and hoses to prevent extensive damage. Each year in December and May, they test the lines and douse the homes, according to the video above that shows a similar process occurring at a site in Miyama. The systems are concealed inside structures that mimic the original architecture, and the new buildings open from the center allowing water to erupt into the air, a spectacular and almost comical process.
Image via Colossal
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Seems we need some water hose festivals in the US.
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