A traditional Ainu house had only one room, and was long, with an east-west orientation. Farming tools and firewood were stored near the entrance. There were three windows, one on the east side and two on the south, and a hearth was constructed in the center of the house. Fish and animal meat was placed on shelves over the hearth, to smoke. The head of the family sat to the east of the north side of the hearth, where he could observe the bear cage outside through the southern windows, while doing other work. Such traditional Ainu houses are now only seen at outdoor museums.