Open Air Museum Of Old Japanese Farmhouses

The Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses is a wonderful collection of 12 traditional Japanese farmhouses. Each of the farmhouses were transported from all over central Japan and reconstructed here, complete with authentic tools and furniture inside. Highly recommended!

[Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses: non-euclidean photography]

Visiting the Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses isn’t quite the same as a trip to Shirakawa-go, but the general sentiment is pretty similar. You get exactly what’s written on the label: a dozen traditional Japanese minka farmhouses painstakingly reconstructed in a beautiful green space.

The Edo-period farmhouses here date variously from the 17th to 19th centuries, and originally stood in places as diverse as Fukui, Miyazaki, and Nagano prefectures. Each house has an English-language signboard outside with brief explanations, and you’ll be able to compare different kinds of thatching techniques, get insights into traditional farming tools, and more.

The museum is staffed by a mix of volunteers and full-timers, and they’re usually on hand to answer questions - some speak good English - and demonstrate the lighting of traditional hearths (irori). Unsurprisingly, this is also a popular location for shooting historical TV shows and films. If you’re very lucky you might catch a shoot while you’re there. Even if you don’t, there are all kinds of events you can partake in from concerts to tea ceremonies to kimono-wearing events.

The best part is that admission is just JPY500 - a steal considering how much effort goes into maintaining and preserving these gorgeous farmhouses. This might not be the first place most people think of visiting when they’re in Osaka, but taking a trip up north is worth your time.

A small downside is that this open air museum isn’t exactly right next to a station. You’ll have to walk about a kilometre from Ryokuchi-Koen Station on the Kita-Osaka Kyuko Line to get here, and then there’ll be more walking involved in exploring the park. Don’t let that deter you though - just make sure you give yourself enough time in the day to check out all the farmhouses at your own pace. Plus, you can always check out the surrounding Hattori Ryokuchi Park afterwards.

English name:
Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses

Japanese name:
日本民家集落博物館

English address:
1-2 Hattori-ryokuchi, Toyonaka-shi, 561-0873

Japanese address:
〒561-0873 豊中市服部緑地1-2

Opening hours:
9:30am-5pm (last entry 4:30pm)
Closed Monday, or the following Tuesday when Monday is a national holiday

Admission:
Adults: 500
High school students: 300
Junior high and elementary school students: 200

Nearest Transport:
Train: 15-minute walk from Ryokuchi-Koen Station on the Kita-Osaka Kyuko Line.

Nearest Hotels:
Check availability and pricing for hotels near Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

Telephone:
+81-6-6862-3137

Website: Official Website (PDF in English)

Near To Here:
Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses is located in Osaka’s northern district. See our complete list of things to do in the Osaka’s northern district, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.

Where Are These Places Located?

• Open the Osaka map
• You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
• Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
• Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
• If you’re using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.

---