A Traditional Thatched Architecture Tour and Private Talk from a Master Thatcher in Kobe

Discover the Beauty and Wisdom of Roof Thatching with a Master Craftsman

Kobe’s Kita Ward is a landscape of mountain villages stretching north of the Rokko Mountains. It is still dotted with no small number of thatched-roof houses, making it one of the most prominent regions in the country for the continuation of this tradition. Although in recent years many have been encased in metal coverings (“tin thatching”), the remaining thatched-roof structures still embody a uniquely Japanese charm that sets the area apart from more urban cityscapes. Within this beautiful landscape in harmony with the nature around it, the traditional techniques of bundling grass to thatch roof have been passed down through generations along with the wisdom of rural living.

Thatched-roof residences embodying the local climate and lifestyle

A professional working thatcher guides you on this tour, leading you to notable local thatched structures and offering illuminating commentary. From material selection to technique, from structural innovations to replacement cycles and the handing down of skills, gain insights possible only through direct experience – a rare opportunity to discover the personal perspectives and craft expertise that simply cannot be conveyed through books, videos, or other impersonal media.

Thatching can also be used in interior design elements like this counter by Kusakanmuri

The experience is hosted by Kusakanmuri, a collective based in the Ogo neighborhood of Kobe’s Kita Ward. Kusakanmuri employs numerous skilled craftspeople, who work not only in the restoration of traditional thatched roofs but also conduct workshops and seminars. “Thatching contains a wealth of wisdom on sustainability that is immensely relevant. We really hope this experience can open many eyes to its charms,” says one Kusakanmuri thatcher.

A Rural Kabuki Theater Whose Boards Have been Trod since the Edo Period

The specific tour sites vary with the day of the week. The first stop on Thursdays and Fridays is the Shimotanigami Farm Village Kabuki Stage, built in the late Edo period (approximately 1840). This thatched-roof Kabuki theater is a designated National Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property. As a rare surviving example of rural theater architecture, it provides a rare glimpse into the performing arts culture of its time. Even today, performances are still held here, with the roof and stage fittings and equipment faithfully maintaining the craftsmanship of the time. Its roof is scheduled for re-thatching in fall 2025, so guests visiting soon after will be treated to the sight of a beautifully renewed thatched roof.

Arresting rural thatched-roof architecture melds seamlessly into the beauty of the natural surroundings

Rural kabuki differs from performances at the grand urban theaters where professional actors perform. Instead, it has historically been performed by local residents as one part of the harvest celebrations. During Edo period (1603–1868) bans on luxury and extravagance, its plays were staged within shrine grounds under the loophole pretext of “offerings to the gods.” Although these traditions declined after World War II and the Shimotanigami stage building was once damaged by fire, both were revived and preserved by local community and government efforts, remaining a venue for regular performances to this very day.

Traditional stage interior still used for kabuki performances

Tour guests can also explore the naraku – the hidden cellar beneath the stage, known in Western theater tradition as the “trap room” – and even operate the turntable mechanism of the rotating stage, for a truly immersive behind-the-scenes experience. Feel in your hands the force of a tradition kept alive by the local community, and the love behind that preservation. This is an experience that goes beyond sightseeing; it’s a chance to discover the profound connections underlying a living culture.

Step right onto the revolving turntable to experience how stage changes are performed

Hakogi Sennen, Among the Oldest Residences in Japan

On Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, guests visit the Hakogi Sennen House, regarded as one of the oldest surviving private residences in Japan and listed as a national Important Cultural Property. Believed to have originally been built in the 9th century, it retains strong traces of early construction techniques. The building was moved to its current location due to dam construction, with restoration and preservation techniques that maintain and honor its thatched-roof heritage.

The sweeping thatched roof of the Hakogi Sennen Residence stands in visual and material harmony with the landscape

The residence’s most striking feature is its massive thatched roof, which faithfully upholds its traditional form emblematic of the Kobe region. This is a truly functional beauty, with excellent insulation and durability. Bamboo is also extensively used in its construction, again balancing regional aesthetic and material character with practicality. The very structure tells the story of the region’s history and climate, and embodies harmony with nature.

The interior is a rare direct look at the lifestyle of the time

Inside the residence, you’ll be treated to a look at such contemporary historical features as an earthen floor, cooking hearth, and robust axe-hewn beams. This is a window into daily life in ancient times so vivid that it feels like a portal through time. The space is remarkably warm and sturdy, devoid of extravagant decorations but filled with the day-to-day wisdom of past generations. Get up-close to deeply rooted history and tradition.

Ogo Honjin Ruin: Carrying Roof Thatching Tradition into Tomorrow

The final stop on the tour is the Ogo Honjin Ruin. During the Edo period, this stately lodging was used by regional lords and officials on their obligatory journeys to the capital of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to liaise the shogun, as part of the sankin-kotai system of feudal rule. The structure’s august entrance, study, and spacious halls reveal careful planning designed to accommodate and pay respect to different social ranks. It is a space which physically embodies the systemic order and aesthetics of samurai society, serving as a precious architectural crystallization of Edo society surviving to the present day.

The historic beauty of the structure and its meticulously-maintained garden embody the aesthetic values of the buke (samurai aristocracy) society

The structure’s floors, pillars, and beams remain as they were when first built, allowing you to soak in the elegant atmosphere of the era. Though it stood vacant and abandoned for many years, local volunteers formed a preservation society and restored it. Today, it serves as a café and event space for the community, and has even appeared in a popular Japanese film, gaining more exposure for its stately appearance and historicity. As a structure carrying thatched-roof culture into the future, it also features counters and interior furnishings crafted from thatch, blending traditional methods with new ideas.

Discover firsthand the intricacies of thatch craft work and the thatcher’s specialized tools

The interior of the facility also showcases real tools and techniques used by thatchers, with detailed explanations of how a thatched roof is built. Nearly all tools shown here are custom-made, reflecting each individual thatcher’s meticulous care and ingenuity. At the end of the visit, enjoy an opportunity for a casual chat with the craftsmen – a valuable moment to experience the humanity and community-rooted wisdom behind the skillset.

*A minimum order of one drink per person applies (paid on-site).

The thatcher’s passion for his craft is evident in the way he talks about it

Shimenawa: Weaving Straw and Bonding Hearts  (Additional Option)

As an optional add-on, take part in a shimenawa sacred rope weaving workshop (additional fees apply). These sacred straw ropes are used to mark the boundary between holy spaces and the outside world, believed to ward off calamity and maintain purity. Often seen at shrine entrances or on home doorways at New Year’s, they are a symbol of Japan’s spiritual culture. The shimenawa crafted in the workshop measure about 10–20 cm in diameter — small enough to enjoy as interior decoration for your home or car.

Feel the warmth of Japanese tradition in the touch of the straw

The straw used to weave your shimenawa is a natural material, with a process that is simple and accessible even for those with limited physical strength, with the rope twisted smooth merely by sliding the palms of the hands and the instructor providing attentive support on techniques and handling. The completed shimenawa can be taken home as a souvenir, adding special moments of connection with the spirit of Japan to your day-to-day life.

*If transporting the item beyond the borders of Japan, please check the agricultural product quarantine regulations of your destination country in advance.

Example image of the finished work, with rice decorations that can be removed or swapped for other ornaments.

Thatched Roofs Bear Stories of History and People

This experience is a chance to discover more than just the beauty of thatched-roof architecture itself. Learn also how each place carries its living history and stands as a testament to the lifestyle, and the pride of the communities that sustained it. Discover deep within the seemingly simple act of bundling grass into thatch a surprisingly intricate and functional craft tradition.

Immerse yourself in the hidden world of thatched roof architecture

As you stroll through the serene mountain village and gaze at its thatched roofs swaying in the breeze, you’re apt to be reminded of the ever-present closeness between humanity and nature — something we often forget in the modern world. Beyond the visible surface of the culture, touch the deeper values that shape it, enriching your journey with newfound insights and serenity.