Kayabuki no Sato Folk Museum

The Kayabuki no Sato Folk Museum (美山民俗資料館, Miyama Minzoku Shiryōkan) offers visitors an intimate glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of rural Japan. Housed inside an authentic thatched-roof farmhouse, the museum displays a collection of tools, household items, farming equipment, and handicrafts that were once part of everyday life for Miyama’s residents. The exhibits explain how villagers cultivated rice, processed silk, stored food, and heated their homes in earlier times. Special attention is given to the craftsmanship of the kayabuki roofs themselves, detailing the harvesting of pampas grass, the unique layering techniques, and the communal efforts required for regular maintenance.

Centrally located in the heart of Kayabuki no Sato, the museum serves as a gateway to understanding Miyama’s cultural heritage and the resilience of its farming community. Since most of the thatched houses are private residences, the museum provides one of the rare opportunities to step inside and experience the architecture up close. Carefully curated displays, historical photographs, and hands-on exhibits allow visitors to imagine what daily life was like in this remote mountain village decades ago. The museum’s warm, welcoming atmosphere makes it an ideal stop for anyone seeking a deeper appreciation of Japan’s rural traditions.