Just 40 minutes from downtown Ôsaka, the Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses (日本民家集落博物館, Nihon Minka Shūraku Hakubutsukan) offers a unique journey back in time.
Founded in 1964 to preserve traditional architecture threatened by Japan’s rapid modernization, this open-air museum gathers restored farmhouses from across the country and showcases them in the heart of Hattori Ryokuchi Park. Here, you can step inside these historic homes, experience the daily life of Japanese farmers from centuries past, and even take part in hands-on activities.
What can you see at the Open-Air museum of old Japanese farmhouses?
The museum features a dozen traditional houses and buildings, each carefully dismantled in its original region and rebuilt on site. As you explore them, you’ll see how climate, geography, and local customs shaped Japanese architecture.
1 - Nagayamon gate
Origin : Kawachi Fuse, Ôsaka (Kansai)
Located at the museum entrance, this grand gate once marked the entrance to wealthy farmers’ estates. It includes two side rooms : one used for storage, the other for housing servants.
2 - Hyuga Shiiba Farmhouse
Origin : Miyazaki, île de Kyûshû
Typical of Miyazaki’s mountain villages, this long farmhouse also served as a venue for sacred Shinto Kagura dance ceremonies, an essential part of local community life.
3 - Shimano Akiyama Farmhouse
Origin : Nagano, Alpes japonaises
Designed for harsh winters, this L-shaped farmhouse features thick walls and an insulating thatched roof. Tatami mats laid on the wooden floor helped keep residents warm.
4 - Yamato Totsukawa Farmhouse
Origin : Nara (Kansai)
Built to withstand severe weather, this farmhouse includes uchioroshi boards under its eaves to protect the home from wind and rain.
5 - Echizen Tsuruga Farmhouse
Origin : Fukui (Chûbu)
Located in a snowy region, this farmhouse boasts an exceptionally sturdy frame with heavy wooden beams.
6 - Kitakawachi Tea House
Origin : Ôsaka (Kansai)
A small pavilion once used for the Japanese tradition of the tea ceremony.
7 - Magariya
Origin : Nambu, Iwate (Tôhoku)
This L-shaped house allowed easy access to the attached stable—a crucial feature in Japan’s snowy northern regions.
8 - Kabuki Theater
Origin : île de Shôdoshima, mer intérieure du Japon
Originally housed within a shrine, this theater hosted kabuki performances, a popular form of entertainment in rural communities.
9 - Elevated Takakura Storehouse
Origin : Amami Ôshima, Kagoshima (Kyûshû)
This raised granary protected grain from moisture and pests, thanks to its mouse-proof pillars.
10 - Settsu Farmhouse
Origin : Ôsaka (Kansai)
A typical local home featuring a large earthen floor (doma) used for various daily tasks.
11 - Gassho-zukuri Farmhouse
Origin : Hida Shirakawa, Gifu (Japanese Alps)
Its steep thatched roof, shaped like praying hands (gassho), was designed to shed heavy snow. You can also see this iconic architectural style in Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
12 - Rice Granary
Origin : Ôsaka (Kansai)
A reminder of Ôsaka’s past as a major commercial hub, where rice granaries played a key role in the Edo-era economy.
What activities can you enjoy at the Museum?
The museum offers more than just a passive visit : it features immersive experiences that bring history to life.
Note: Staff generally speak Japanese only, which adds to the charm of this authentic experience!
Here are a few activities often available (many are free):
- Lighting the irori hearth: Learn how Japanese families once cooked and stayed warm around this central fire.
- Tea ceremony: Discover this serene, centuries-old art form.
- Spinning top games: A beloved children’s game during the Edo period.
- Grain milling: Try your hand at an old manual mill, just like the farmers did.
- Exploring upper floors: Some farmhouses allow access to attics where food and household items were stored.
Before your visit, check the museum’s event calendar (click the “Events” button at the top right of their website).
During our visit, we were lucky enough to enjoy a traditional cake by the hearth while listening to a storyteller share tales from long ago.
How to get to the Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses from Ôsaka ?
The museum is located inside Hattori Ryokuchi Park, in the northern part of the city.
Recommended route
- From Ôsaka Station or Shin-Ôsaka Station, take the Midosuji Line (Line M) heading north.
- Get off at Ryokuchikoen Station (M10).
- From the station, it’s about a 10-minute walk through the park to the museum entrance.
Total travel time from downtown Ôsaka: approximately 40 minutes.
