Hida Minzoka Mura Folk Village
Hida Minzoka Mura Folk Village in Takayama is an open-air museum exhibiting 30 distinctive local houses, which are mainly relocated from other regions in Hida. Some of them enjoy a history of more than 200 years. In these ancient houses, daily tools exhibitions help you learn the locals’ life 2 centuries ago. In addition, the wonderful performances of crafts making are worth seeing.
Life Items in Hida Minzoka Mura Folk Village
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What to See & Do in Hida Minzoka Mura Folk Village
Exquisite Houses that Show Human Wisdom
Among various houses exhibited in the Folk Village like logging huts, storehouses, and village head’s houses, the Gassho-zukuri farmhouses can most demonstrate the wisdom of local people. Gassho-zukuri has steep roofs made of kaya grass, shaped like pairs of praying hands. This is because, in winter, this area is often hit by heavy snow, while such steep roofs make it easy for snow to slide down, thus reducing the risk of houses collapsing.
The 4 most visit-worthy houses are House 4: Wakayama’s, House 6: Tanaka’s House, House 12: Taguchi’s House, and House 21: Yoshizane’s House, which all have been designated as National Important Folk Cultural Properties by Japanese.Various Daily Tools and Interior Furnishings in the Houses
Walk into some houses, you can learn about local life through the interior furnishings, decorations, and various life tools exhibited. Rooms here are usually equipped with tatami mattresses and the living rooms with fireplaces on the floor. The tools include 23 sledges, 230 silk production tools, and 989 daily tools and implements of Hida.
Exhibits Recommendation:
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Exhibits |
House |
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Weaving tools |
House 1: Aral’s House |
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Shingles tools |
House 2: Nakayabu’s House |
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Daily tools |
House 6: Tanaka’s House
House 20: Michigaml’s House |
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Silk producing tools |
House 9: Nishioka’s House |
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Sledges |
House 18: Hozuml’s House |
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Watch Crafts Making Performances and Make Your Own
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., there are performances by artisans on making traditional Hida crafts, including weaving, wood carving, shingles for roofs, and straw crafts. In addition, if you want to make your own crafts, then go to Hida Takayama Crafts Experience Center. It’s especially suitable for children to have fun as the Center provides various courses on making crafts, including sarubobo dolls, beaded key chains, and ceramic cups. Among them, the most worth trying is making Sarubobo, the faceless monkey doll with a red body. It’s also the mascot here. The Japanese believe that anyone who receives a Sarubobo will be lucky in the future. You are allowed to take away the handicrafts you make on your own.See Different Sceneries of the Folk Village in Four Seasons
No matter in which season, Hida Minzoka Mura Folk Village will provide you with wonderful natural scenery.Spring
Spring, especially April is the best time to appreciate cherry blossoms in the village. Against the backdrop of green mountains and waters, the pale pink cherry flowers appear more beautiful.Summer
Summer is suitable for appreciating the dense lush trees as the whole Village is surrounded by forests and mountains including Mt.Tateyama, Mt.Yakushidake, and Mt.Kurobegorodake. It is also a great summer retreat as the temperature here is lower than the populated downtown. In addition, you can watch swans swimming leisurely in Goami Pond near the gate of the Village.Autumn
In autumn, you can admire maple leaves in the village. At that time, the whole Village is full of vitality when the leaves of the maple trees all over the mountains turn from tender green to warm yellow and fiery orange, which makes the Village a colorful world. Remember that the best time to admire maple leaves starts in late October.Winter
The Folk Village, covered with heavy white snow in winter, is exceptionally peaceful. As the illumination activity is held in winter, you will see the snow-covered Village surrounded by colorful lights, giving people the illusion that white snow is dyed with the color. But remember that the illumination activity lasts from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; don’t come too early or too late.Monthly Events in the Folk Village
All around the year, there are activities held in the Village. Among them, the celebration of Girl’s Day is the most grand. From March to early April, about 850 clay dolls would be displayed in the Village to celebrate Girl’s Day or Doll’s Day- a holiday unique to Japan. Japanese celebrate the festival to pray for long life, prosperity, and good marriage for young girls.Below are some other monthly events:
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Time |
Events |
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January - February |
Winter
Illumination |
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May - June |
Boys'
Festival
Rice
Planting in Wheel-Shaped Rice Field
Special
Fire Drill for Old Houses |
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July - August |
Anniversary
of the Foundation of Hida no Sato |
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September - October |
Rice
Harvest in Wheel-Shaped Rice Field
Special
Exhibitions
Autumn
Illumination |
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November - December |
Special
Fire Drill for Old houses
Pickles
Making |
The Newspaper Office in the Village
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