Hida no Sato

Hida no Sato gathers about 30 traditional buildings typical of the former Hida province (northern part of Gifu prefecture), several of which are dating back to the Edo period (1603 - 1868).

This open-air museum’s concept stemmed from realizing the necessity to preserve the history and the culture of the Hida-Takayama area locally, for the future generations. In the 1950s, the construction of dams on the Sho River near Shirakawa-go started to threaten the traditional housing; several thatched-roof houses were then moved out from the prefecture: to Nagoya’s Botanical Garden, to Nara or even in Yokohama’s Sankei-en garden. Thus, Hida no Sato ("Hida’s village") was founded in 1971 in the south-west of Takayama to conserve local craftsmanship.

A small traditional country village

Hida no Sato open-air museum is a reconstitution of a mountain village as it could be found in the Japanese Alps before World War II, with authentic houses transferred on the site to save them from destruction. The lovely village is constituted around a pond, in a forested environment and is notably home to:

• Several barns covered in gassho-zukuri thatched roofs;
• The head of the village’s house;
• Storage and utilitarian buildings; and,
• The small Takumi-jinja shrine.

Several of these constructions have the status of Important Cultural Property. Most of them are open to the visit and display daily-life items, and objects related to farming and silk worm rearing. There is also a rare example of a kurumada circular rice field.

To complete the experience of the rural lifestyle, the irori fireplaces in the houses are lit up every day: the smoke is both an insect and mold repellent and immerses the village in its characteristic odor.

Passing down traditional knowledge

Hida no Sato’s aim is to preserve the local culture, but to also maintain it alive by passing it down to the visitors, whether they are pupils on a school trip or tourists from all around the world. Demonstrations of traditional craftsmanship take place in the village, such as the frequent repairing of thatched and shingle roofs, both to maintain the place and showcase the artisans’ skills.

Next to the village, the Hida Takayama Crafts Experience Center is hosting Japanese crafts introductory workshops such as:

• Lacquer or pottery workshops;
• Wood carving, straw braiding;
• Sashiko embroidery, dyeing; or,
• Sarubobo lucky dolls making.

Seasonal events occur every month and keep Hida no Sato a living museum in tune with modern trends like night illuminations, traditional taiko drums festivals, Noh theatre for children, and even a cosplay festival.

Hida no Sato is a nice alternative to Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, with a very easy access from Takayama, and for all ages. Autumn in Hida no Sato is particularly enjoyable, with events such as rice harvest or the evening light-up of the momiji 🍁.