The garden is a quintessential example of a Meiji-to-Taisho period 'strolling' garden, designed to showcase different perspectives from various rooms in the house.
The mansion uses high-quality materials including zelkova wood for the main pillars and polished glass imported from abroad at the time of construction.
The garden slopes downward to a small stream, utilizing the natural terrain of the Musashino Terrace edge.
The house survived the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, largely due to its resilient construction techniques.
The building was originally built as the residence for the Chairman of the Tokyo Prefectural Assembly.
The estate once included a much larger complex of buildings, though only the main house and its immediate garden grounds remain today.
The Kyu Asakura House is a rare surviving Taisho-era residence located in the Daikanyama district of Shibuya. Built in 1919 by Torajiro Asakura, a prominent politician and rice merchant, the house serves as a prime example of high-end Taisho residential architecture. The structure is noted for its blending of traditional Japanese wood-joinery techniques with Western-style elements, such as the ground-floor drawing room. Visitors can tour the mansion's interior, which features sliding shoji doors, tatami rooms, and intricate period woodwork. A highlight of the estate is the expansive, sloping kaiyu-style strolling garden, which retains its original topography and landscaping. The house was designated as an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government in 2004. Unlike many urban residences from the period that were destroyed by the Great Kanto Earthquake or wartime air raids, this property remains largely intact. The residence is owned and maintained by Shibuya City as a public cultural facility.
Walk through the garden first to appreciate the view of the house from below before touring the interior.
Be sure to inspect the intricate details of the carved transoms (ranma) above the shoji screens.
Consider visiting in late autumn to view the vibrant Japanese maple leaves in the garden.
Do not attempt to touch the woodwork, paper screens, or hanging scrolls, as they are fragile historical artifacts.
Closed on Wednesdays and during the year-end/new-year holiday period; may close temporarily for maintenance.
Visitors must remove their shoes at the entrance and wear provided slippers or socks; photography is allowed but the use of flash or tripods is prohibited inside the rooms.
