The house was dismantled into over 600 pieces in Japan and transported to Taiwan for assembly.
Tsutomu Mizukami's novel 'Itteki' (A Drop) inspired the memorial's name, signifying the Buddhist philosophy of every drop of water returning to the ocean.
The structure contains no nails, utilizing traditional Japanese 'kigumi' joinery techniques.
It originally belonged to the Mizukami family in Oi Town, Fukui, before being repurposed as a public memorial space.
The interior contains an original display of the author's manuscripts and personal effects reflecting his upbringing in a poor family.
The Tamsui Itteki Memorial House is a meticulously relocated Japanese-style wooden residence originally constructed in 1920 in Fukui Prefecture, Japan. It serves as a memorial to writer Tsutomu Mizukami, the son of a local carpenter who grew up in the house. The building features traditional Japanese architecture, including tatami mat flooring, shoji sliding doors, and intricate wooden joinery. It was dismantled, transported, and reassembled in Tamsui in 2005 as a symbol of cultural exchange between Japan and Taiwan. The structure is situated within Heping Park and features an internal layout preserved to reflect early 20th-century Japanese domestic life. Visitors can observe the authentic construction techniques and the modest aesthetic of a period-typical mountain home. The site acts as both an architectural exhibition and a literary memorial.
The veranda (engawa) looking out toward the Heping Park gardens.
Remove your shoes before entering the interior spaces as required by traditional Japanese floor etiquette.
Bring socks, as you will be walking on the tatami mats.
Combine your visit with a walk through the surrounding Heping Park for a broader view of the riverfront.
Do not attempt to touch the structural beams or display cases; do not walk on the edges of the tatami mats.
Typically closed on Mondays.
Shoe removal is mandatory; quiet voices are expected; photography is generally allowed, but follow signs regarding flash use.
