2026/05/02

Today's Events

Workshop of Indigo Dyeing “Snow Flake Patterned Handkerchief”

In this workshop we make snow flake pattern to a handkerchief by indigo dyeing.

  • Date: May 2 (Saturday), 2026
  • Time: 9:50 ~ 11:15, 12:50 ~ 14:45 (it takes about 30 minutes to dye each handkerchief) First come, first served.
  • Place: Traditional Indigo Dyeing Workshop (The West Gate of Minkaen)
  • Everyone can participate (elementary schooler or younger children must be accompanied by the guardian *1 accompany at most)
  • Fee: 1,320 Yen (handkerchief and rubber gloves included)

[Please note]

    The indigo liquid may splash onto your clothes or shoes and stain them. Please wear clothes and shoes that you don't mind getting starined.


Annual Event Exhibition “Tango no Sekku”: the Hara House

Decorations for May, including warrior's helmet, are displayed, wishing for the robust growth of boys.

  • Date: April 8 (Thursday) ~ May 5 (Tuesday, national holiday), 2026
  • Time: Free to visit during opening hours
  • Fee: the Admission Fee Only
  • Place: 0. The Hara House, (the main building: until May 12 Tuesday)


Annual Event Exhibition “Tango no Sekku”: the Main Building

Decorations for May, including warrior's helmet, are displayed, wishing for the robust growth of boys.


Folktales Telling by Mangekyo

Folktales storytelling around the fireplace, usually on the first Saturday of every month. * It may be subject to change.

  • Date: April 4 (Saturday), May 2 (Saturday), June 6 (Saturday), 2026
  • Time: 14:00 ~ 14:30
  • Capacity: 30 participants (first come, first served)
  • Fee: admission fee only
  • Place: 11. The Sakuda House
  • Storyteller: The Tama Ward Storytelling Group “Ohanashi-Mangekyo”

Café in the Folk House “Utsuroi” in Spring

Café in the folk house is open this spring for a limited period!
Beside Japanese black tea and baked sweets, daily specials including soup and bread, are served.
Please drop in and have a relaxing time in the Hara house which is an Important Cultural Property of Kanagawa Prefecture. *Some food can be taken away.

Details

  • Opening Date: Saturday, Sunday and national holidays during March 20 (Friday, national holiday) ~ May 6 (Wednesday, national holiday), and April 28 (Tuesday) *There may be Temporary Closures
  • [March] 20 (Friday, national holiday), 21 (Saturday), 22 (Sunday), 28 (Saturday), 29 (Sunday)

    [April] 4 (Saturday), 5 (Sunday), 11 (Saturday), 12 (Sunday), 18 (Saturday), 19 (Sunday), 25 (Saturday), 26 (Sunday), 28 (Tuesday), 29 (Wednesday, national holiday)

    [May] 2 (Saturday), 3 (Sunday, national holiday), 4 (Monday, national holiday), 5 (February, national holiday), 6 (Wednesday, national holiday)

  • Opening Hour: 11:00 ~ 16:00 (last order 15:30) * will close earlier when sold out.
  • Fee: Admission fee for Minkaen is required.
  • Place: the tatami room on the 1st floor of 0. The Hara House

Mini-Exhibition at Traditional Indigo Dyeing Workshop “Tango no Sekku”

Indigo-dyed works with patterns associated with "Tango no Sekku" (the Boys' Festival), koinobori (carp-shaped streamer) and etc., are on exhibit.

  • Date: March 11 (Wednesday) ~ May 6 (Wednesday, national holiday), 2026
  • Time: 9:30 ~ 17:00
  • Fee: Free (inside Dento Kogeikan only) *Admission fee required to visit Nihon Minkaen
  • Place: Traditional Indigo Dyeing Workshop


Special Exhibition “Living in Gokayama – 30th Anniversary of the Registration as a World Heritage Site”: October 1 ~ May 24

Three Gassho-style houses from the Gokayama region of Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture have been relocated to the Minkaen.
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the registration of the Gassho-style Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, the home of these three houses, as a World Heritage Site, a special exhibition will be held focusing on the lifestyle and culture of the Gokayama region.

  • Period: October 1 (Wednesday), 2025 ~ May 24 (Sunday), 2026
  • Hours: 9:30 ~ 17:00 (9:30 ~ 16:30 during November to February)
  • Fee: Admission Fee only
  • Place: the Exhibition Room in the Main Building