Kusakabe Folk Museum

4.0

The Kusakabe Folk Museum in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture is located in a building that was originally the mansion of the Kusakabe family, merchants who were closely associated with the Bakufu (Shogunate). The mansion was rebuilt in 1879; with its impressive interlocking beams and wide spaces, it can fairly be described as a masterpiece of vernacular architecture that embodies the apogee of Edo period craftsmanship. The building’s single most impressive feature is the magnificent Butsudan (family Buddhist altar) which cost 300 Ryo (around 10 billion yen in today’s money) to construct. When the mansion burnt down in 1875, the Butsudan was saved; today, this resplendent altar is renowned in Takayama as a place of great spiritual power.

Spot details

Address: Gifu Pref. Takayamashi Oushinmachi 1-52 Map
Area: Takayama Area
Phone: 0577320072
Hours: 10:00-16:00
Closed: Tuesday (The next day if it is a public holiday)
Fees: [Admission fee]
[Adult] 1,000 yen
[High school student] 500 yen
[Elementary and Junior High School Students] 300 yen
[Child] Free
*Half price per person and accompanying person with disability certificate
Parking Lot: Not available
Credit Card: Available(VISA, MasterCard, JCB, AMEX, UnionPay)
※Musium Shop only
Smoking: Not available (no smoking throughout the building)
Wi-Fi: Available
English Menu: Available
Can be enjoyed even on a rainy day: Yes
Estimated stay time: 0-60 minutes
Pet friendly: Available

Information Sources: NAVITIME JAPAN

Review

Beautiful rebuilt merchants house

Reviewed : 2019.01.14

This is a beautiful building although sparsely furnished it still gives you a sense of life back in the day. We visited in winter so appreciated how cold these places can get! Wouldnt say this was a...
Fascinating insight into history

Reviewed : 2019.01.11

Rebuilt in 1879, after a fire, in the style of the Edo period, this merchants house contains a fascinating collection of woodcarving, lacquer-ware, porcelain and netsuke.Well worth a visit.
A small but interesting museum

Reviewed : 2018.08.22

Well worth a visit if you are in Takayama. On three floors, each one has interesting display of folk art and artifacts.