THE NIHON MINKA-ENThe most interesting and under-rated tourist attraction in the Tokyo area is the Nihon Minka-en. If you have even the faintest interest in Japanese history or are a jaded Tokyoite longing to get away from the crowds, see a tree, or feel grass under your feet, then a visit to this fascinating historical sight is highly recommended. Wandering the grounds of the Nihon Minka-en, one can really get a sense of what a beautiful country Japan must have been before all the concrete buildings and ugly power lines began to scar the landscape.
The Nihon Minka-en is a huge park in which 23 old buildings have been collected from all over Japan. The straw roofs and nailless construction techniques are endlessly fascinating, and there is an interesting pamphlet available in English. You can also see demonstrations of traditional craft making, and hear lectures about what life was like in days gone by (in Japanese).
The houses include and old inn, houses with thatched roofs, samurai residences, a mill, and barns. The buildings come from all over Japan, and you can see how the building styles differ in different regions. For example, the houses from the Hida-Takayama area have thick, steeply sloped roofs because of the heavy snowfalls and other houses have latticed windows to keep out wild animals.
Plan to spend half a day here if you want to fully appreciate it. With admission at only 500 yen, this is one of the best tourist bargains in the Tokyo area. I have been to the Nihon Minka-en four times and it has never been crowded.
Visit the Nihon Minka-En Homepage at: http://www.city.kawasaki.jp/88/88minka/home/minka_e.htm
There is also a nice visual tour with information about all the houses at: hhttp://www.city.kawasaki.jp/88/88minka/home/visual_visit.htm
GETTING THERE:
Take the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku Station to ukogaokayuen. It takes about 20 minutes and costs 240 yen. Go out the East Exit and walk past a Mister Donut on the left side and a supermarket called Life on the right. You'll come to a stop light with a Mizuho Bank on the right side. Keep walking in the same direction, past a big Daiei and you'll come to another traffic light. Cross the bridge and when the road forks, take the one on the right. You'll come to Ikuta Ryokuchi Park, where the Minka-En is located. It's about 15 minutes from the station. There is a map at: http://www.city.kawasaki.jp/71/71tama/home/ikutaryokuti/gaikokugo/english.htm
The Nihon Minka-en is open from 9:30am to 4pm. It is closed on Mondays and from December 27th to January 4th. Admission is 500 yen for children and 500 yen for adults.
ADDRESS: 7-1-1 Masugata, Tama-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Tel. 04-4922-2181
Fax: 04-4934-8652