Park Nihon Minka-en located near Ikuta, gives an idea of ​​how the house looked ordinary Japanese who lived in the Edo period (from 1603 to 1867 years). The park is run by the city of Kawasaki, and a museum of traditional Japanese architecture in the open air. It gathered from across the country more than 25 buildings, most of which has the status of a national monument of culture.

In this museum you can still see the building of an ancient temple and a water mill and watch the performance of kabuki theater. In the exhibition hall of the park-museum presents the tools that were used for the construction of these houses, as well as traditional tools of the Japanese farmer. During the year, the park pass specialized exhibitions - for example, devoted to crafts.

The word "Minka", which is the basis of the name of the park, previously designated the house of humble Japanese. House Minka built almost to the end of the XIX century. From this collection, you can learn about what architectural traditions in different regions of Japan have differences in the construction of buildings and the use of materials for their construction, as well as the different houses of urban residents (artisans and merchants) and peasants. House residents are called "Matija", the villagers - "NOC". In addition, the features are the house of fishermen "gёka."

Most of the houses in the Nihon Minka-en - high thatched roof, which can be found in mountainous areas with heavy snowfalls. Under the high roof of the dwelling flocked inside the smoke from the hearth, so these houses are not arranged chimneys. And on the roof angle of 60 degrees, it does not accumulate snow and moisture, so long straw rots. During the acute angle of the roof such houses called "gassho-zukuri" or "clasped hands in prayer," with time it became a whole school of architecture.

House Minka built, as a rule, from inexpensive materials available to ordinary people - of wood, bamboo, clay and straw. Sometimes foundation stone was used. Many houses were premises designed for practicing various crafts and warehouses, and Matija - and even for shopping.