Kyu Asakura House

The Kyu Asakura House, built in 1919, is an Important Cultural Property of Japan that offers visitors a view into traditional Japanese architecture and garden design from the Taisho period (1912-1926). This residence showcases the lifestyle and artistic preferences of the Asakura family through its well-preserved interiors and gardens.

About Kyu Asakura House

Home and office to Toro Asakura, the Kyu Asakura House reflects early 20th-century Japanese domestic life. The complex includes single and two-story wings with various rooms, such as a formal 15 tatami mat room, a western-style room, and a tea room, showcasing the architectural styles of the time.

The house withstood the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and the Second World War, highlighting its construction quality. Its garden, resembling a traditional roji, offers a setting for reflection and seasonal enjoyment, with plants like azaleas enhancing its beauty.

The Asakura family’s cultural and artistic values are displayed through a collection of artworks and cultural artifacts. Fumio Asakura, a renowned sculptor from the family, left a significant artistic legacy. His studio is accessible to visitors, providing an insight into the creative process.

Efforts to preserve the Kyu Asakura House have kept it as a cultural landmark. The property spans approximately 5,400 square meters, including the main buildings, a storehouse, garden gate, outbuilding, and a landscape. It serves as a notable example of Taisho-era architectural and aesthetic heritage, appealing to those interested in Japanese history and traditional design.