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Japan Open-Air Folk House Museum

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Japan Open-Air Folk House Museum

A fascinating destination for retro enthusiasts, this open-air museum of traditional folk houses feels like stepping back in time.

3.20 4

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Supervised by :  Japan Open-Air Folk House Museum

Opened in 1967, this is one of Japan’s leading open-air museums of traditional folk houses. It displays 25 relocated cultural properties, including homes from the Edo period, residences built around 100 to 300 years ago, and a Kabuki stage.
Fires are lit in the sunken hearths of some of the houses, offering a glimpse into everyday life in Japan long ago. The spacious grounds are also ideal for a leisurely stroll, with seasonal scenery such as cherry blossoms and fresh greenery in spring and colorful foliage in fall.
Events featuring traditional Japanese performing arts are also held occasionally, while the Traditional Indigo Dyeing Workshop offers indigo-dyeing experiences for a fee. Admission to the workshop is free.

Highlights

  • The rows of traditional houses built during the Edo period make visitors feel as though they have stepped back in time.
  • A recommended photo spot for anyone who enjoys nostalgic scenes.
  • The grounds include a soba restaurant and a shop selling dango dumplings, so visitors can take breaks while exploring at a leisurely pace.
  • A free audio guide app is available in English, Chinese, and Korean.
  • Leaflets are available in 11 languages: English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, French, Spanish, German, Thai, Vietnamese, Portuguese, and Tagalog.

Photos

  • The museum’s main building at the Front Gate

    The museum’s main building at the Front Gate

  • The Emukai House, built in the early 18th century

    The Emukai House, built in the early 18th century

  • The Kabuki Stage from Funakoshi, a nationally designated Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property

    The Kabuki Stage from Funakoshi, a nationally designated Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property

  • It feels just like stepping back in time to a farming village during the Edo period.

    It feels just like stepping back in time to a farming village during the Edo period.

  • Learn about traditional Japanese houses in the exhibition rooms of the main building. The displays are also recommended for visitors interested in architecture.

    Learn about traditional Japanese houses in the exhibition rooms of the main building. The displays are also recommended for visitors interested in architecture.

  • A paid indigo-dyeing experience at the Traditional Indigo Dyeing Workshop. Even beginners can create an original piece of their own.

    A paid indigo-dyeing experience at the Traditional Indigo Dyeing Workshop. Even beginners can create an original piece of their own.

Reviews

4

Some reviews are AI-translated.

  • 吳淑敏
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    This place is pretty interesting. You can see how people lived in different eras. Some houses were built with local materials, others used recycled stuff. It actually feels a lot like the eco-friendly lifestyle we try to follow today.

  • Rise
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    The Kawasaki Municipal Japan Outdoor Folk House Museum is really unique. You can see what Japanese homes and living spaces looked like in ancient times. I actually found them quite similar to the rural houses you see in Chinese movies, so it felt both familiar and welcoming. Plus, the museum is located in Ikuta Ryokuchi, which is known for its natural scenery, so you can also enjoy a nice walk there. I visited during hydrangea season, and the peaceful, beautiful atmosphere left a lasting impression.

  • 謝淑惠
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    Each house has its own unique history and architectural style, letting visitors really get to know traditional Japanese lifestyles and building techniques.

  • 林惠雪
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    Each house has its own unique style, reflecting the different ways people lived in various regions. Every day, two or three houses are open for visitors to go inside. I also appreciated that they offer audio guides in both Chinese and English, which helped us understand early Japanese life even better.

Details

Name in Japanese
川崎市立日本民家園
Postal Code
214-0032
Address
7-1-1 Masugata, Tama-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Phone
044-922-2181
Admission
Adults: ¥550; high school and college students: ¥330 (student ID required); ages 65 and older: ¥330
Kawasaki residents ages 65 and older: Free with documentation showing date of birth and address, such as a driver’s license, health insurance card, Fukujutecho senior citizen handbook, or Silver Pass
Junior high school students and younger: Free
Annual pass, valid for one year from the date of purchase: Adults: ¥1,100; high school and college students and ages 65 and older: ¥660
Closed
Mondays (open when Monday is a public holiday), the day after a public holiday (open when that day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday), December 29 to January 3, and occasional temporary closure days
Hours
March to October: 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (last admission at 4:30 p.m.)
November to February: 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (last admission at 4:00 p.m.)
Access
(1) About a 13-minute walk from the South Exit of Mukogaoka-yuen Station on the Odakyu Line
(2) About a 25-minute walk from the Ikuta Ryokuchi Exit of Noborito Station on the Odakyu Line or JR Nambu Line
(3) From the South Exit bus terminal at Mukogaoka-yuen Station on the Odakyu Line, take Kawasaki City Bus [Mizo 19] toward Mizonokuchi Station South Exit, or Tokyu Bus or Kawasaki City Bus [Ta 83] toward Tama-plaza Station. Get off at Ikuta Ryokuchi Iriguchi and walk about 3 minutes.
(4) From the Ikuta Ryokuchi Exit of Noborito Station on the Odakyu Line or JR Nambu Line, take a bus toward Ikuta Ryokuchi via the Fujiko F. Fujio Museum. Get off at Ikuta Ryokuchi and walk about 1 minute. This bus does not operate when the Fujiko F. Fujio Museum is closed.
(5) From Kajigaya Station on the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line, take a Tokyu Bus toward Mukogaoka-yuen Station South Exit. Get off at Iimuro and walk about 10 minutes.
(6) From the South Exit bus terminal at Musashi-Mizonokuchi Station on the JR Nambu Line or Mizonokuchi Station on the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line, take Kawasaki City Bus [Mizo 19] toward Mukogaoka-yuen Station South Exit via Ikuta Ryokuchi Iriguchi. Get off at Ikuta Ryokuchi Iriguchi and walk about 3 minutes.
(7) From the North Exit terminal at Tama-plaza Station on the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line, take Tokyu Bus [Ta 83] toward Mukogaoka-yuen Station South Exit. Get off at Ikuta Ryokuchi Iriguchi and walk about 3 minutes.

For direct access to the Traditional Indigo Dyeing Workshop at the West Gate
(1) From the North Exit of Mukogaoka-yuen Station on the Odakyu Line, take Odakyu Bus [Muko 10] toward Senshu Daigaku-mae. Get off at Senshu Daigaku-mae and walk about 5 minutes.
(2) To reach the West Gate on foot from the station, start from the South Exit of Mukogaoka-yuen Station on the Odakyu Line, pass the museum’s main building, and continue through Ikuta Ryokuchi Park toward Senshu University. The walk takes about 20 minutes.
Parking
Available; use the parking lots at Ikuta Ryokuchi Park
Bicycle Parking
Available; use the bicycle parking areas at Ikuta Ryokuchi Park
Official website
Official website (Japanese)
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa