The museum includes a lighthouse keeper's house relocated from a remote island off the coast of Kagawa.
Many of the timber buildings were donated to the museum to prevent their destruction during local modernization efforts.
The onsite Tadao Ando-designed gallery is partially subterranean to harmonize with the hillside terrain.
Several buildings contain original agricultural tools and equipment used by rural inhabitants in the 19th century.
The village displays a rare example of a traditional kabuki theater stage used by villagers for local festivals.
The layout deliberately simulates the rugged, mountainous terrain typical of the remote regions where the structures originated.
Shikoku Village is an open-air museum located at the base of Yashima plateau that preserves 33 historical buildings relocated from across Shikoku island. The collection showcases traditional architectural styles including Edo and Meiji-era folk houses, storehouses, and craft workshops. A prominent feature is the vine bridge, an authentic architectural replica inspired by the Kazurabashi bridges of the Iya Valley. The park landscape was designed by architect Masayuki Kobo to replicate the topography and atmosphere of ancient mountain villages. Visitors navigate a winding walking path that ascends the hillside, revealing buildings nestled in forested valleys. The site houses a gallery designed by Tadao Ando, which displays historical artifacts, tools, and local religious statuary. The museum grounds include traditional water mills, kabuki stages, and sugar-refining huts that illustrate the historical lifestyle of the region. The integration of landscape gardening ensures that structures are surrounded by seasonal flora, creating a historical microcosm of rural Shikoku life.
The vine bridge provides a unique perspective against the backdrop of the dense forest.
Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes as the paths are paved with stone and involve significant inclines.
Bring insect repellent during the summer months due to the heavily wooded and natural landscape.
Check the map upon entry to locate the Tadao Ando gallery, which is situated away from the main cluster of traditional homes.
Do not rush through the lower section; many visitors miss the more remote structures located further up the hill.
Open daily, but occasionally closes for urgent maintenance or severe weather warnings.
Many historical buildings require visitors to remove their shoes before stepping onto the tatami mats or wooden floors.
