Let’s Enjoy Shogatsu in Minkaen
Visitors wearing Kimono will be admitted free of charge!
On the first opening day of Minkaen in the new year, you can enjoy traditional games like spinning-top, stacked Daruma game, fukuwarai, and participate in a craft workshop.
The cafe in the folk house is open, serving New Year specials.
Come to Minkaen and celebrate the new year in Japanese style!
- Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026 *In smaller scale in case of bad weather
- Venue: Traditional games at 6. the Sasaki House and 13. the Hirose House
Photo-spot for shogatsu at 15. the Kitamura House and others
New-Year decoration on display at 11. the Sakuda House and 15. the Kitamura House
The craft workshop using indigo dyed fabrics at 0. the Hara House
The cafe in the folk house at 0. the Hara House
Traditional Games for Shogatsu
Experience traditional games for the Japanese new year, like spinning-top, stacked Daruma game, fukuwarai (a game similar to "pin the tale on the donkey"), Kendama (Japanese cup and ball game) and Hanetsuki (similar to badminton).
- Time: 10:00 ~ 12:00, 13:00 ~ 15:00
- Venue: Kendama, Stacked Daruma game, Fukuwarai at 6. the Sasaki House
Spinning-top at the yard of 6. the Sasaki House
Hanetsuki at 13. the Hirose House
Photo Spot for Shogatsu
Take a souvenir photo with a hand-made lion mask.
- Time: Anytime during the opening hours
- Fee: Admission fee only
- Place: 15. the Kitamura House
Annual Event Exhibition "Shogatsu Decorations"
We exhibit decorations for the new year, including rice cakes on household shrines and a variety of Shime-nara. Click this link for details.
- Time: Anytime during the opening hours
- Fee: the admission fee only
- Place: 11. the Sakuda House and 15. the Kitamura House
Workshop of Decorating Hair Clips with Indigo-dyed Felt Balls
Decorate a hair clip with felt balls which are indigo-dyed.Time slot: ①10:00 ~, ②11:00, ③13:00 ~, ④14:0 ~ Time needed: about 40 minutes Fee: 600 Yen (Please pay with cash on the venue), *admission fee to the museum required additionally How to participate: Numbered tickets will be handed out in front of 0. the Hara house from 9:45 Capacity: 5 participates for each time slot
Anyone over elementary school can participate (the lower graders need support from the guardians) Venue: the 2nd floor of 0. the Hara house
The Café in the Folk House
Please refer to this link for more details.
- Opening Hours: 11:00 ~ 16:00 *last order 15:30
- Place: 1st Floor of 0. The Hara house
Exhibition
There are also seasonal exhibitions, including
Special Exhibition "Living in Gokayama - 30th Anniversary of the Registration as a World Heritage Site": October 1 ~ May 24,
Special Exhibition "Yukigakoi (Snow Fence) - the Sugawara House -",
Annual Event Exhibition "Ebisu-co": December 4 ~ January 20,
Mini-Exhibition at Traditional Indigo Dyeing Workshop - The Stencil Dyed Pattern Horse, the Zodiac Sign of 2026.