Learn About Historic Japanese Farmhouses
The Kominka Preservation Alliance Seminar
Tuesday, October 21, 2025 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
RESOBOX – 91 E. 3rd Street (at 1st Avenue)
Admission: Free
The Kominka Preservation Alliance is hosting a free seminar entitled Giving Japanese Kominka Farmhouses & Other Traditional Structures a Second Life in Japan & Overseas at RESOBOX. 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.
Image credit: Hotaruan Kayabuki Minka owned by Haruo Nishio
What the Seminar 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 event is free, but space is limited, so reservations are required. To register, scan the QR in the graphic below or visit kominkapreservationalliance.com.
About the Kominka Preservation Alliance
The Kominka Preservation Alliance is a collaborative platform dedicated to preserving Japan’s traditional architecture, crafts, and rural communities through a wide range of events, initiatives, and activities. To learn more, please visit their website.
The Kominka Preservation Alliance Members
Kominka Collective | kominkacollective.com | contact@kominkacollective.com
Toda Komuten | todasanchi.com | kou-toda@todasanchi.com
Kominka North America | kominkanorthamerica.com | info@kominkanorthamerica.com
Minka Preservation Society | minkasociety.com | info@minkasociety.com
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