In late November, I had a few spare hours to kill, so I checked a map to find a nearby place with autumn leaves. I saw a place named 'Osagoe Folk Village Museum', which was just 1.5 km away from my home. Apparently it had some old Japanese houses set in a wooded area. OK, they must have some trees there! So I drove to the place.
What I saw when I arrived was a HUGE park surrounded by gorgeous autumn leaves and lovely old, traditional-looking Japanese houses with thatched roofs on the hillside. Typically for Fukui, almost nobody was there! My heart started to beat faster and my palms became sweaty. Yes, I get an adrenaline rush whenever I encounter this kind of opportunity which allows me to explore somewhere special all alone and take hundreds of photos without obstacles! See? Fukui is a photographer's heaven!
However, I didn't have much time, so I went straight to the Osagoe Folk Village Museum (Osagoe Minka-en Park). This museum is operated by Fukui City, and admission is only 100 yen per person for adults. As I expected, I was the only visitor, so I was able to explore the beautifully landscaped premises of this 'village' all alone. Inside the village, five genuine old Japanese houses are preserved in good condition. The oldest house is 300 years old, the youngest is about 150 years old, and all were transferred from old villages in Wakasa or Echizen regions of Fukui Prefecture.
A unique feature of this place is that this is not just a museum where you can see old houses--you can also use them. These houses can be rented for various purposes, such as tea ceremony, meetings, poetry reading, etc. The rental fee is quite reasonable; 2,160 yen from 9 AM to noon, 3,240 yen from noon to 4:30 PM, 4,320 yen from 4:30 PM to 9 PM for each house. It would be interesting to hold a private 'Autumn Leaves Viewing Party' in such a traditional place!
Throughout the year, they also hold various special events in the village. Be sure to check it out at any time of year for a special treat.
For more info, please contact Osagoe Folk Village Museum (Osagoe Minkaen Park) at 0776-34-3794
There is also a spacious park called, 'Fukui City Culture Park' beside the museum. The culture park, Osagoe Folk Village Museum are among the best-kept secrets in Fukui. You can relax, enjoy, chill out, kill time, etc., almost free of charge, and also free of competing crowds. Highly recommended!
Osagoe Folk Village Museum Series 1. Osagoe Folk Village Museum in Fukui 2. Fall Colors at Osagoe Folk Village 3. Fukui City Culture Park in Tsukimi
