Nihon Minka-en

"open air museum, straw roof architecture"

@tkgreen98

"Musée en plein air avec d’anciennes maisons japonaises "

@clemgir

"Japan Open-Air Folk House Museum (http://www.japanvisitor.com/index.php?cID=357&pID=2508#fhm), Kawasaki"

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"proposent ateliers d'indigo"

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"25 marvelously preserved edo era homes"

@estelleporcher

"Musée extérieur avec reconstitution des habitats et constructions au Japon"

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"330 yen student entrance fee, really well maintained and taken care of. Has a traditional soba restaurant inside!"

@audreychen

"Musée à ciel ouvert de maisons "

@jafraairlinesmanager

"20 minutes by train from central Tokyo. Located in a suburb of Kawasaki city"

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"Maisons historiques, crafts"

@evemiam75

"Though only 20 minutes by train from central Tokyo, the Nihon Minka-En Japan Open-Air Folk House Museum, located in a suburb of neighboring Kawasaki City, feels a world—and several centuries—away. The sprawling grounds are home to 25 marvelously preserved Edo-era homes relocated from all over the Japanese countryside, spanning an array of styles from farmhouses to samurai houses and includes a shrine, water mill and kabuki stage. Don’t miss the traditional indigo dyeing workshop in the middle of the park houses a small shop where you can find indigo-dyed everything, from socks and sweaters to handkerchiefs and masks. / Zoom out. What’s this place all about? Though only 20 minutes by train from central Tokyo, the Nihon Minka-En Japan Open-Air Folk House Museum, located in a suburb of neighboring Kawasaki City, feels a world—and several centuries—away. The sprawling grounds are home to 25 marvelously preserved Edo-era homes relocated from all over the Japanese countryside, spanning an array of styles from farmhouses to samurai houses and includes a shrine, water mill, and kabuki stage. A museum’s permanent collection is its defining feature: How was this one? The houses are arranged in five villages according to their places of origin. Most are open to the public, allowing you to step back in time and wander through the various rooms. Placards describe the structure of the house and give background on how the previous owners lived. Exhibits keep us coming back. What can we expect? There’s an exhibition hall with displays on traditional building techniques and special exhibitions shedding light on various aspects of Japanese life in olden times, from New Year’s decorations to toilets of yore. What did you make of the crowd? The museum attracts architecture and design fans, along with history buffs and families. Thanks to the wide-open layout, the place never feels packed, even when it’s busy. On the practical tip, how were the facilities? The grounds cover a hilly swath stretching a couple of kilometers, so there’s a fair amount of walking involved. However, wheelchairs and strollers are available free of charge at the entrance. Any guided tours worth trying? Guided tours are on pause for the time being, but you can download a free audio guide in English. Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it? The traditional indigo dyeing workshop in the middle of the park houses a small shop where you can find indigo-dyed everything, from socks and sweaters to handkerchiefs and masks. Is the café worth a stop? One of the farmhouses has been converted into to a soba restaurant serving lunch and snacks, but there are benches and vending machines scattered throughout the park. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? While you’ll need around two hours to explore the entire complex, it’s well worth a visit even if you have only 60-90 minutes."

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"Musée extérieur de maisons traditionnelles"

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"ferme traditionelle japonaise"

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