[Hida City, Gifu Prefecture] Hida’s thatched roof houses: not just “restored” but aiming for “revival”! ~The foundation was repaired by moving the building horizontally as it was.
Hida City, Gifu Prefecture Press Release: September 3, 2025 [Hida City, Gifu Prefecture] Hida’s thatched-roof house: Aims for restoration, not just restoration! ~ Foundation repairs completed by moving the building horizontally. Utilizing hometown tax donations from people across Japan, we are working to preserve and utilize a thatched-roof house in Miyagawa-cho, Hida City, a crystallization of our ancestors’ wisdom. The Former Nakamura House, a thatched-roof house, stands in the Hida Miyagawa Archaeological Museum, nestled in the mountains of Hida. This house, quietly standing the test of time, has endured the wind and snow for 150 years, supporting the lives and culture of the local community. However, with its tilted foundation and damaged roof, it was time for restoration. Hida City, Gifu Prefecture (Mayor: Junya Miyatake) began accepting donations as part of the Hida City Hometown Tax program in fiscal year 2020, and has received over 60 million yen in donations by fiscal year 2024. Utilizing hometown tax donations, restoration work was carried out from fiscal year 6 to 7 of Reiwa 4. The foundation was repaired and the building was restored to a level surface. Going forward, we plan to re-roof the building and continue to solicit donations. We are working on a project to preserve the former Nakamura family home, the only remaining thatched roof house in the Miyagawacho district of Hida City, for the future!
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Archaeological Museum. Why Preserve Thatched-Roof Houses Now? Thatched-roof gassho-zukuri houses were once common throughout the Hida region. The “Former Nakamura House” is now the only one remaining in Miyagawa-cho, Hida City. Built in the early Meiji period, it is considered a typical example of farmhouse architecture from that time and has been designated a city cultural property (tangible cultural property – buildings). This thatched-roof house, the “Former Nakamura House,” is located at the Hida Miyagawa Archaeological and Folklore Museum. It was donated to the former Miyagawa Village (now Hida City) in 1990 and relocated from Hora, Miyagawa-cho, in 1991. It is currently on outdoor display. The Hida Miyagawa Archaeological and Folklore Museum, which includes this thatched-roof house, is a facility where you can learn about how the people of Hida lived in the mountains through its abundant folklore and archaeological materials. However, the current situation faces a variety of challenges. – The thatched roof is in severe disrepair and is beginning to crumble. – The local museum, the Hida Miyagawa Archaeological Museum, is only open 30 days a year. – As the local population declines, “there will be no one to pass on the traditions.” “If things continue like this, Hida culture will be lost.” That’s why we launched a project to not only restore the Former Nakamura Residence as a cultural asset, but also to revitalize it as a place where people can gather and connect.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/120394/135/120394-135-149bfa7ef81c4520e8436affd1c19ecc-2016×1512.jpg Hida Miyagawa Archaeological Museum and other locations (Address: 104 Shioya, Miyagawa-cho, Hida City) We want to go beyond mere
“restoration” and preserve this thatched-roof house for future generations, turning it into a place of exchange. This passion is supported by the voices of our fans. “I wish I could experience roasting sweetfish on the hearth,” “I want everyone to learn about the restoration process,” “It would be fun to do a 3D scan!” Many people want to preserve and work on this house. This project goes beyond simply repairing the roof. We are working to preserve this thatched roof house, steeped in 150 years of history, as a hub for interaction between people from inside and outside the city, connecting the cultural assets passed down from the past to the future for those living in the present.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/120394/135/120394-135-cfd248a60c17b94e23d71b29fdf04dbc-1024×576.jpg The building was moved while still standing using a house mover, and the tilted foundation was repaired. Back in its original position This time, we performed a “house moving” technique. This involves moving the building horizontally in its original position. It’s a rare and rarely seen construction method these days. In September 2024, we carefully moved the approximately 70-ton building about 40 meters at a speed slower than the walking speed of an ant, repairing the tilted foundation during the process. In November of the same year, the building was returned to its original position and restored to its level. The pillars were straightened, and fittings such as sliding doors and shoji screens could now be opened and closed smoothly. Additionally, rotted flooring and pillars were replaced or reinforced. The first phase of construction was successfully completed this summer, and the building has regained its vitality.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/120394/135/120394-135-f6dcc16aa41a43631924859206eb733f-2024×2700.jpg In front of Hikiya
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/120394/135/120394-135-520c974112544964187a8637a26ccb36-2025×2700.jpg Hikiyago
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/120394/135/120394-135-4e05e068bd63f70fef0fa50a733391a9-2016×1512.jpg https://img.youtube.com/vi/Tnov01flvt4/sddefault.jpg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tnov01flvt4 Watch the video of the “house moving” process Thoughts on Restoration and Prospects for Use The former Nakamura family home is valuable as a typical example of farmhouse architecture in the Hida Miyagawa area, and is the only thatched-roof house remaining in the Miyagawa area. We are proceeding with this project to preserve this precious cultural asset for future generations. 2026: Preparation begins 2027: Purchase thatch, survey and design the roof for re-thatching 2028: Re-roofing 2029 and beyond: Operate as a place for cultural experiences and interaction After restoration, we plan to hold workshops where people can learn about Hida culture, such as using folk tools and making stone rods. Hometown tax donations from people across the country will be used for the following purposes. – Thatched roof replacement costs – Development costs for interactive content (stone rod making experience, hearth experience, etc.) ・Cultural property preservation and management costs
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/120394/135/120394-135-bdc9d78f84a53adab74ae17be477833e-936×491.jpg Special Project Page Message from the person in charge
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/120394/135/120394-135-8cd6ee58b76a1bc0d60634631704901c-682×682.jpg Curator Miyoshi Seicho I’m Miyoshi Seicho, curator of the Hida Miyagawa Archaeological Museum. We work daily to promote the preservation and utilization of cultural assets and to foster a sense of familiarity among local residents. Before the first phase of restoration work began, the building was used as a place to deepen connections, such as by grilling sweetfish over the hearth and sharing it with participants. Even after the work was completed, we were able to hold events that brought together children, and the building regained its vitality as cheerful voices filled the air. Seeing a view like this makes me so happy. It makes me feel even more grateful to all those who supported me. Thank you so much. We’re aiming to re-thatch the roof in the future. We would like to continue to utilize hometown tax donations to move this project forward, so we appreciate your support. Inquiries Hida City Board of Education Cultural Promotion Division Phone: 0577-73-7496
Hida City, Gifu Prefecture Hida City is a small city with a population of approximately 2,1500. Surrounded by mountains such as the Northern Alps, it is blessed with abundant nature, with forests accounting for approximately 94% of the total area. In addition to its abundant natural resources, it is also a treasure trove of diverse and unique local resources, including the Furukawa Festival and Okoshi Taiko, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site; astrophysics research facilities such as Super-Kamiokande, which contributed to the Nobel Prize in Physics; and the rural town scenery that served as the inspiration for the hit anime film “Your Name.” Hida City Official Website https://www.city.hida.gifu.jp/ Hida City Official Cultural Property Website https://hida-bunka.jp/ PRTIMES Hida City page For more information about this release