A Show House for Reclaimed Land, 1969
The Former Ogata Village Model Farmhouse for Prospective Settlers (旧大潟村入植予定者観覧用農家住宅) is a house built in 1969 in the centre of Ogata Village, Minamiakita District, Akita Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on March 6, 2024 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a two-storey building of concrete block and timber with a sheet-iron roof and a building area of 58 square metres; registration number 05-0245. The owner is Ogata Village.
Built to Be Looked At
Ogata Village was created by draining the Hachirogata lagoon. According to the Tohoku Regional Agricultural Administration Office, the village came into being in the central reclaimed land in October 1964, and recruitment of settlers began in 1966. It ran in five rounds until 1974, bringing 580 households.
As its name says, the Former Ogata Village Model Farmhouse for Prospective Settlers was built for people planning to settle there to come and look at (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It showed, in a real house, what life on the new land would be like.
Why It Was Registered
The model farmhouse was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that its large triangular roof gives the Hachirogata reclaimed land a distinctive look.
What to Look For
The two-storey house runs north to south, with mortar-rendered walls (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is entered from the gable end (tsumairi), with the front door at the centre of the north side; there are three rooms downstairs and two upstairs.
At the Ogata Village model farmhouse, look at the outline of the big triangular roof, which sweeps low toward the ground. On the flat reclaimed land the shape stands out all the more.
Visiting
The Former Ogata Village Model Farmhouse for Prospective Settlers is owned by Ogata Village, at 1-6 Higashi 2-chome, Ogata Village (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on interior access was found, so contact Ogata Village if you wish to visit.
Q&A
- When was the Former Ogata Village Model Farmhouse for Prospective Settlers built?
- In 1969 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What was the Ogata Village model farmhouse for?
- It was built for prospective settlers of the Hachirogata reclaimed land to visit and inspect (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What are its architectural features?
- A two-storey house of concrete block and timber, entered at the gable end on the north side, under a large triangular roof.
- Can I visit the Ogata Village model farmhouse?
- No official information on interior access was found; contact the owner, Ogata Village.
- When was it registered?
- On March 6, 2024 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Former Ogata Village Model Farmhouse for Prospective Settlers (旧大潟村入植予定者観覧用農家住宅) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1-6 Higashi 2-chome, Ogata Village, Minamiakita District, Akita Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2024/03/06 (Reiwa 6) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Concrete block and timber, two storeys, sheet-iron roof, building area 58 square metres |
| Owner | Ogata Village |
| Public Access | No interior access information (contact Ogata Village) |
References
- Former Ogata Village Model Farmhouse (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00014715
- History of the Hachirogata Reclamation (Tohoku Regional Agricultural Administration Office, Japanese)
- https://www.maff.go.jp/tohoku/nouson/kokuei/hatirougata/rekisi.html
Last verified: 2026.10.14