You can feel and touch the ancient architecture of Japan. This house is replica of what there used to be but still there is a lot to learn from it. It is located in the middle of the huge park in Kita ward. Takes 20-30 minutes of walking from Akabane station.

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I recommend this historical site to visitors from abroad. This is because there is a good chance to catch a glimpse of Japanese traditions. Precautionary notes shown everywhere are Japanese only though, but no worries! 1.Take your shoes off before entering. 2.Do not touch the exhibits. You should try to keep just these two things in mind. Admission is free! Of course there is no foreigner's fee.

You can forget the hustle and bustle of the city and feel nostalgic. There's lots of greenery too, a walking spot where just strolling around soothes both body and mind. It seems there are set admission hours, so checking in advance is a must.

Since walking is my hobby, I casually stopped by. Apparently the building is about 170 years old. Even though Kita Ward handles the maintenance, it was a spacious and lovely old folk house. I was surprised that this building, which looks like a wealthy family's mansion, was the home of ordinary people rather than the rich. We Japanese should stop by too, if only to learn about the history of houses.

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Designated Cultural Property of Kita Ward. An old folk house that once stood in Ukima Village. Reportedly built in the first year of the Kōka era. Thatched roof with hipped-roof (yosemune) construction. Segai-zukuri at the eaves on the northeast side. A distinctive box ridge (hakomune) on top of the roof. Based on these architectural styles, it is estimated to have been built in the late Edo period. On observation, I noticed a lattice window above the entrance. Also, the joint between the roofs of the main house and the stable is interesting. According to the information board, it was built on an artificial raised mound called a mizuka (水塚) to escape the floods of the Arakawa River, but that part does not seem to have been reproduced. According to the pamphlet inside, when it was first built it was a 2D property (two-room layout) with a wooden-floored room, a zashiki room, and a doma (earthen floor), but later a shoin-zukuri-style new zashiki, a storeroom (nando), a stable, and so on were added, making it a 4D property with a stable (staggered layout). Also, the storehouse at the back is said to be older than the main house. Hipped-roof construction. A small boat was on display inside. Inside the stable, there was a wheeled nagamochi (long storage chest) called a "kuruma-nagamochi." This was the first time I'd seen one. A "foundation stone" was also displayed in the main house. Apparently the character "浮" is written on the stone in ink, but I couldn't really make it out.

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