This is our first Kominka, located in the town of Shirone, Niigata Prefecture. In this neighborhood, there are approximately 25 homes like this situated amidst the rice fields, creating a beautiful scenery all around. These homes are surrounded by rice fields, fruit orchards, and vegetable farms.
Japan Kominka Rescue
Our Mission: The purpose (Ikigai) of JKR is to save old abandoned farmhouses (Kominka) from neglect, deterioration, destruction and turn them into viable and sustainable entities.
Our Vision:
By rescuing Kominkas we can revitalize communities by breathing new life into a once thriving town and country of hard working farmers and merchants and their families. We want to honor the generations of owners who have kept the legacy alive and we will work to preserve these Kominka treasures and recognize the last generation with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Own a Farmhouse in Rural Japan or Bring One Home
There is such an exploding intrest in owning a Kominka, that not only can you own a farmhouse in rual Japan, but you can take one home with you. Orginizations like the Kominka Collectve have simplyfied and refind the process of dismantaling the ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) and setting it up again in a location of your choosing.
Minka Summit 2024
Friday 19th - Sunday 21st April
Kominka Japan is delighted to announce that Minka Summit 2024 will return to Hanase, Kyoto, from April 19 – 21, 2024!
Minka Summit 2024, our third such event, will be bigger and better than ever! You'll not want to miss our speaker presentations and workshops, panel discussions, Minka Tours, Minka Mall, Friday Night Meet & Greet and Saturday Night Dinner & Keynote Speech!
Meet like-minded foreign residents and Japanese restoring and renovating minka across Japan, as well as those in search of their dream forever home! Learn traditional methods and modern DIY skills! Engage with experienced owners and akiya specialists!
We will be regularly updating information about the event, including directions to the event and news about speakers, Minka Mall booths, and nearby accommodations, on the Kominka Japan website (kominkajapan.org) and on the Kominka Japan Facebook page. If you have specific questions, please write to us at stuart4th@yahoo.com.
By popular demand, Minka Summit 2024 will be held once again at Sanson Tori Koryu no Mori, a one-hour drive from downtown Kyoto City, in the minka-dotted mountains to the north. Google Maps location is 6Q9J+XM Kyoto, Japan. The event will be offered in both English and Japanese, with language support offered in both languages.
Buy your 3-Day Admission Pass now through January 15, 2024 and receive a 15% discount!
Please note that tickets for the Saturday Night Dinner & Keynote Speech (by esteemed scholar Azby Brown) is a separate charge should you wish to attend. This event will likely sell out, so we encourage you to buy your ticket online as soon as possible.
The Friday Night Meet-and-Greet is also a separate ticket this year, but will likely not sell out, and tickets for that event will be available at the door.
We're enhancing and upgrading Minka Summit in many areas, and will be offering a few new and exciting events -- you'll not want to miss it!
"Aloha again!"
"Here we are in the prefecture of Niigata and in particular the town of Shirone.
As you can see we are in the middle of rice country."
What is Kominka?
Traditional Japanese farmhouses, also known as "Kominka," were built and used by farmers and other rural people in Japan. These houses are typically constructed of natural materials such as wood, bamboo, straw, and clay and are built to withstand the harsh climate and weather conditions of rural Japan.
Kominka houses come in a variety of styles that reflect Japan's various regions and cultural traditions. They are frequently distinguished by thatched or tiled roofs, sliding paper doors, and raised wooden floors. They are also functional, with features such as porches and alcoves that can be used for storage or as workspaces.
While Kominka houses were once common throughout rural Japan, many have been abandoned or demolished as social and economic conditions have changed. However, there is renewed interest in preserving these traditional structures, and efforts are underway to restore and adapt them for modern use. Some Kominka houses have even been converted into museums or cultural centers, providing visitors with an insight into Japan's rich rural heritage.
We pray that you will join us in saving a part of a vanishing heritage.
We're excited to share that we'll once again participate in the Honolulu Festival. Visit our booth to discover ways you can engage in our initiative aimed at preserving these charming and distinctive farmhouses, preventing them from being abandoned and ultimately demolished.
