It is an open-air folk house museum which represents Japan. The museum exhibits relocated folk houses of mainly Edo period. All of the buildings were designated as Important Cultural Properties at either local or national level. Besides exhibitions concerning architecture or folk articles, a variety of events including hands-on workshops and traditional performances are held throughout the year.
Q:
Where is Nihon Minka-en?
A:
It is located in the Ikuta-ryokuchi Park, a green space full of nature, only 30 minutes by train from Shinjuku of Tokyo Metropolis.
Q:
What are the opening hours of the museum?
A:
It is open from 9:30 to 17:00 during the period from March to October, from 9:30 to 16:30 during the period from February to November. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time
Q:
Is there any closed days?
A:
Every Monday (the museum will open if it is a public holiday), the day after a public holiday (the museum will open if it is Saturday, Sunday or a public holiday), Year-end and New Year’s holidays. And there may be some temporary closures.
Q:
How much is the admission fee?
A:
Adults: 550 yen Students (Senior High School and College), persons over 65: 330 yen (please show ID or other documentation) Children (Junior High School and under), Kawasaki City residents over 65 (please show ID or other documentation): Free
Q:
Is there any discount to the admission fee?
A:
Show the ticket stub of another facility of Ikuta-ryokuchi purchased on the same day, several types of membership cards (please refer to the ticket booth) and you can get a 20% discount to the admission fee. A group of 20 or more paying individuals is entitled to a 20% discount (cannot be combined with other discounts). Persons with disabilities are admitted free of charge along with one attendant (Please show certificate). Everyone can enjoy free admission on Minka-en Festival (November 3) and Tama District Residents Festival (a day in October).
Q:
Is there any advance ticket?
A:
There are no advance tickets. Please pay at the ticket booth on the day of your visit.
Q:
Is credit card or e-money acceptable for the payment of the admission fee?
A:
Yes, credit cards and a variety of e-cash are acceptable, but only at the ticket booth of the Front Gate.
Q:
Do I need to make a reservation if I am planning a group visiting?
A:
It is not required. However, for a group with more than 10 persons, making a reservation is recommended to make the admission easy.
Q:
How long does it take to view around the museum?
A:
It takes approximately 60 ~ 90 minutes.
Q:
Is re-entry possible?
A:
It is possible if you show the ticket stub on the same day or the certificate of admission.
Q:
What kinds of events are held in the museum?
A:
Not only regular folk story-telling and tours explaining the folk houses, but also a variety of events including traditional performances, seasonal activities, night openings are held. There are also hands-on workshops and lectures for learning. Please refer to the web page of events for details.
Q:
Are leaflets in foreign languages available?
A:
Yes. Leaflets written in English, French, Chinese (Simplified/Traditional), Korean, Spanish, German, Thai, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Filipino are available at the ticket booths. You can also download them from the web page.
About Access to the Museum
Q:
Which is the closest train station?
A:
It is Mukogaokayuen or Noborito station. It is a 13 minutes’ walk from the south exit of Mukogaokayuen station (Odakyu Line), or a 25 minutes’ walk from the “Ikuta Ryokuchi” exit of Noborito station (JR Nanbu Line / Odakyu Line).
Q:
Is there a parking lot? Is it charged?
A:
There are toll parking lots at the east gate and the west gate of the Ikuta-ryokuchi Park. However, both of them get full easily on weekends and holidays, so we recommend using public transportation.
Q:
Is there a bicycle parking area?
A:
There is a bicycle parking space at the east gate of the Ikuta-ryokuchi Park. There is not any bicycle parking space at the west gate.
About the Buildings/the Exhibition Hall in the Main Building
Q:
Can I enter the buildings in the museum?
A:
You can enter the earth-floored area of any folk house. The 1st floor of 0. The Hara House is always open for visiting. For some of the folk houses, in which the volunteers light a fire in the sunken hearth, you can step onto the raised floor (with your shoes taken off). However, 12. Storehouse on Stilts, ★Hut for Storing Firewood, 21. Ferryman’s Hut, 20. Kabuki Stage (special opening held irregularly) can only be viewed from the outside.
Q:
What kind of exhibitions can I view in the exhibition hall?
A:
In the room for regular exhibition, the structure of the folk houses and the process of construction are exhibited. In the room for special exhibition, two special exhibitions are held each year.
About Food & Drink
Q:
Is there any restaurant in the museum?
A:
There is a soba noodle restaurant on the 1st floor of 10. the Yamashita House.
Q:
Is there any place where I can eat food I brought?
A:
You can enjoy food you brought in rest areas (benches or arbors) in the museum.
