The Post Town and the Shin-Etsu Regional Village are illuminated during the extended opening hours of Minkaen.

The fire in the sunken hearth is lit in some of the folk houses. You are welcome to sit on the wood floor and relax by the fireside.
Enjoy the fantastic view of illuminated folk houses and autumn leaves in the dark.

• Date: November 22 (Saturday), 23 (Sunday and national holiday), 29 (Saturday), 2025 * Sunset around 16:30
• Hours: 17:00 ~ 20:00 (last admission 19:30; after 16:00, the admission is limited to the Front Gate only)
• Area: the Post Town and the Shin-Etsu Regional Village　*All areas can be visited before 16:30.

Entry or exit after 16:30 pm is possible only at the Front Gate. You cannot enter or exit from the Yamashita Gate where the Soba restaurant is located.

* The event will be held in smaller scale if it rains.
* The autumn leave may be not at its best at the time of the event.
* It may be crowded on the day. Please refrain from photographing using tripod or monopod and sketching using easels, chairs or picnic sheet.

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Relaxed Time on Raised Floor

The fire in the sunken hearth is lit by our volunteers in some of the folk houses. You are welcome to step on the raised floor.

• Hours: 17:00 ~ around 19:30
• Place: Several folk houses in the Post Town and Shin-Etsu Regional Village
• Collaborator: Robata-no-Kai (The Fireplace volunteer group)

Cafe in the Folk House during Night Opening

Please refer to the page in this link for details of the cafe.

• Hours: 11:00 ~ around 19:30 (Last Order 19:00)
• Place: 0. the Hara House

the cafe in the folk house during night opening

Food and drink served during the night opening

Extended Opening Hours of the Soba Restaurant

• Hours: 17:00 ~ 19:30 * Last Order 19:15
* Admission to the Minkaen is required for entering the restaurant after 17:00.
* It will close earlier if the food is sold out.

soba noodle in minkaen

Please drop in the Special Exhibition “Living in Gokayama – 30th Anniversary of the Registration as a World Heritage Site”, in the exhibition room of the main building during the night opening.