Japanese Country Style - Internet Resources

This page is updated as we find new Internet links. It was last modified 2006-11-11.

Nokoso-kai: The Association for Preserving Old Japanese Farmhouses	A volunteer association, started by Mr. Takishita, to preserve old Japanese farmhouses and teach the next generation the value and the beauty of old Japanese farmhouses.
Minka outdoor museum in Kawasaki city (near Tokyo)	(The text on this page is in in Japanese, but there's a map at the bottom). The outdoor museum is open daily except Mondays between 9:30 and 4:30 and costs ¥500 (free for children and seniors; ¥300 for high school and university students). It's in Kawasaki city and can be reached by Odakyu line from Shinjuku, Tokyo (get off at 向ヶ丘遊園 Muke-ga-oka-yūen). You can read more about it at The Japan Times Online
Where to find a minka-en	A map of minka-en (minka parks) in Japan (from the Japan Times).
The Chiiori Project	Alex Kerr's restored house in Shikoku. Information is also available in Japanese. This website appears to be under construction; an older version of it can be viewed at the The Internet Archive.
Japanese Architecture directory	The Open Directory entry for Japanese Architecture, which contains some links to traditional houses. Also available under Google.
The climate and characteristics of modern minka in Kansai	An essay with pictures by Masanori Hayashino of Kyoto Prefecture University.
Japanese rural farmouses and Japanese architecture: traditional and modern	Contains a short essay and some general links.
Gassho-style farmhouses in Shirakawa and Gokayama	A short essay with pictures about the gassho-style farmhouses. This is part of the Japan Atlas, which also contains more general architecture information.
Shirakawa village	Information and photographs about the world heritage site, with its dozens of original farmhouses.
Japan Minka Reuse and Recycle Association	A non-profit association for preserving and restoring minka.

Other interesting web pages

Home sweet (old) homes	An article on building a modern house incorporating elements from old minka.
Fukuzumi-ro Ryokan	An interesting old ryokan in Hakone. Every room is different. For the price of a hotel in Tokyo, you can stay here (less than 2 hours from downtown Tokyo), soak in a lovely wooden bath, and eat great food. (English link is here.)
Amikai Japanese translation page	You can cut and paste from Japanese pages into this page, to get a rough translation.
Jim Breen's WWWJDIC Server	You can cut and paste from japanese pages into this page, or paste a URL, to get a rough translation.
Ukiyo-e gallery	Jim Breen's gallary of Japanese wood-block prints
Interview with Alex Kerr	Interview with Alex Kerr (author of Dogs and Demons), with Jim Fallows of the Atlantic Monthly.
Katsura Rikyu - Concept and technique of Expression	An essay, with photos, about this Imperial Villa in Kyoto, which has been considered the ultimate example of Japanese sho-in and sukiya styles of architecture. Although this style is highly refined, it still derives important elements from traditional minka. Katsura has influenced western architects such as Walther Gropius and Frank Lloyd Wright. See also the Great Buildings Online description.
Japanese gardens	A selection of famous Japanese gardens, with plans and photographs. Many of these are in Zen temples.
Yin Yu Tang	The Peabody Essex Museum's display of a 200-year-old Chinese merchant's house, including multi-media display of construction and ornamentation details.
Bigfoot wooden houses	(Japanese language) Modern interpretation of minka, in various styles (sizes are given in tsubo, which are about 3.3 sq meters (35 sq feet).