Overview
Join us for an engaging evening as we explore the beauty, history, and craftsmanship of Japan’s traditional wooden architecture. Learn how these remarkable structures are built, why they are disappearing, and the creative ways they are being preserved and reimagined for future generations.
Japan’s kominka (traditional farmhouses), kura (storehouses), and other heritage wooden structures represent centuries of craftsmanship, local culture, and community life. Yet many of these architectural treasures face demolition due to depopulation, changing lifestyles, and economic pressures. In this seminar, members of the Kominka Preservation Alliance will explore:
- The history, cultural significance, and unique architecture of kominka
- Traditional materials and time-tested building methods
- Current challenges and preservation efforts in Japan
- Experiences of living and working in a rural kominka
- Creative reuse in Japan and abroad – from homes to guesthouses and cultural spaces
- Stories of relocating and restoring kominka and kura storehouses
- Practical ways for individuals and communities to get involved
This seminar welcomes anyone with an interest in Japan’s culture and heritage — from traditional architecture and craft to rural life and community revitalization. It will offer both inspiration and practical insights into the preservation and creative reuse of Japan’s historic wooden structures.
The Kominka Preservation Alliance:Kominka Collective | Toda Komuten | Kominka North America | Minka Preservation Society
We thank our sponsor, Shinshiro City, for their generous support.
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