What is Niikura Furusato Minkaen?

An open-air museum preserving a 300-year-old farmhouse from the mid-Edo period. The former Tomioka family residence was relocated and restored after being dismantled in 1988 for highway construction. The park opened in 2006 and is designated as a Wako City cultural property.

Can I enter the farmhouse?

Yes. Remove your shoes to enter the interior and view the wooden rooms, tatami spaces, and traditional irori (sunken hearth). The structure features thatched roofing and solid pine and cedar columns.

What events are held at the park?

Seasonal events include harvest festivals, traditional craft workshops (bamboo flute making, pickling vegetables), agricultural tool demonstrations, white cotton cultivation activities, and traditional games like beigoma (spinning tops).

Is the park wheelchair accessible?

The park has traditional gravel paths and the historic farmhouse features steps at the entrance. Wheelchair accessibility is limited due to the authentic Edo-period design of the buildings and grounds.

Can I combine this with other nearby attractions?

The park is near Wako Jurin Park and several temples including Seiryu-ji Fudoin Temple and Kumano Shrine, making it easy to visit multiple sites in one trip from Wakoshi Station.

Saitama

Niikura Furusato Minkaen

4.1 (159)Historical LandmarkTourist AttractionHistorical PlacePoint Of InterestEstablishment

Last updated Apr 22, 2026

Niikura Furusato Minkaen in Wako, Saitama Prefecture, preserves one of the oldest historical farmhouses in the region. The park centers around the former Tomioka family residence, a farmhouse built during the mid-Edo period, approximately 300 years ago in the late 17th century. This structure is recognized as one of the oldest buildings in Saitama Prefecture and has been designated a cultural property by Wako City.

The farmhouse faced demolition during the construction of the Tokyo Outer Ring Road in 1988, when it was carefully dismantled and its materials preserved. Through a generous donation from the Tomioka family, the city undertook a restoration project. The building was designated as a Wako City cultural property in 2003, restoration work began in 2005, and the park officially opened on June 17, 2006. Today, it spans roughly 2,000 square meters and is operated in partnership with the Wako City Old House Enthusiasts Association.

Visitors can explore the traditional farmhouse construction featuring solid pine and cedar columns, thick thatched roofing made from grass-like materials, and an earthquake-resistant design. The interior allows guests to remove their shoes and enter the wooden-floored rooms and tatami areas, complete with a working hearth. The 130-year-old structure showcases architectural techniques vastly different from modern homes, with rooms arranged around a central irori fireplace.

The park grounds include additional structures such as a slip gate, a barn-style administrative building, and a storehouse-style pump room, along with cultivated fields and a pond. Seasonal activities organized by the management group offer hands-on experiences with traditional farming practices, including the cultivation of traditional Japanese cotton plants that were grown during the Edo period.

Niikura Furusato Minkaen is located approximately 700 meters north of Wakoshi Station on the Tobu Tojo Line, Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, and Fukutoshin Line, making it a 7-minute walk from the station's north exit. Admission is free.

Hours

Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Phone

+81 48-467-7575

Website

n-h-minkaen.jimdofree.com

Overview

Address

2-chōme-33-1 Shimoniikura, Wako, Saitama 351-0111, Japan

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Frequently Asked Questions

Traveler reviews

I went there for a straw sandals workshop. It's a old renovated building, it is very interesting to see how they used straw back in the days (roof, walls,etc.). They have leaflet in many language so don't hesitate to drop by there. There is also a garden in the back with many flowers in summer.

Guillaume Habault

Sep 20, 2020

I really enjoyed getting to step back in time and see the inside of a home that I have only gotten to see in movies and video games. They had awesome antique equipment that was still functioning and taken care of. Would have love to be able to bring my kids there.

Sweet thatched roof historical home in the middle of Wako suburbia. A weaving group meets here and they invite visitors to have a go.

This thatched-roof farmhouse has been relocated and preserved, and is open to the public free of charge. Farming tools and other items are displayed in the earthen floor area inside, and visitors can also enter the tatami room to explore and get a glimpse into the life of a farmer in the old days. It's about a 15-minute walk from the south exit of Wako City Station.

Apparently, they cook it over the hearth every day to ward off insects and preserve the food. The nostalgic smell is palpable, and the impressive main building is cool even in the middle of summer. Apparently, you can play with ninjas on the first and third Sundays of every month. 🥷 The staff will give you a detailed explanation. The restrooms are also very clean and smell of cypress.