The name 'Jinpukaku' was suggested by Admiral Togo Heihachiro, who visited the site during the mansion's construction.
The central spiral staircase is a defining feature of the interior and was constructed without a central support pillar.
The mansion was intentionally designed to showcase the prestige of the Ikeda family following the abolition of the feudal system.
The exterior walls are composed of white-washed weatherboarding, which was a departure from traditional Japanese stone or plaster construction.
The house sits on the grounds of the former Tottori Castle, surrounded by the ruins of the castle's stone walls and surrounding moat.
The mansion was used as a filming location for the 2012 film 'Rurouni Kenshin'.
Jinpukaku Mansion is a French-renaissance style villa built in 1907 by the Ikeda family, former feudal lords of the Tottori domain. It was designed by Katayama Tokuma, the architect responsible for the Akasaka Palace and the Kyoto National Museum. The structure is built primarily of wood with a prominent white-painted exterior and a distinctively Western roofline. During his visit to the San-in region in 1907, Crown Prince Yoshihito, who later became Emperor Taisho, stayed at the mansion. The building served as a symbol of modernity and Western influence in early 20th-century Japan. It transitioned into a public facility and later an art museum, housing historical artifacts related to the Ikeda clan. The interior features original Western-style furniture, intricate fireplaces, and period lighting fixtures. The architecture represents the transition from traditional Japanese residential styles to the imported European aesthetic of the Meiji period. It is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
The front facade from the park lawn, capturing the symmetry of the entrance and the white exterior against the backdrop of the castle stone walls.
Wear comfortable, easy-to-remove shoes, as you will be required to leave them at the entrance.
Walk the surrounding Hōshō-ji park grounds after your tour to see the castle moat and historic stone gate.
Visit during the cherry blossom season when the trees in the surrounding Hōshō-ji park frame the mansion.
Attempting to enter with large backpacks, as there are limited storage facilities and the hallways are narrow.
Closed on Mondays. If a public holiday falls on a Monday, it is usually closed the following Tuesday. Closed during the New Year period.
You must remove your shoes at the entrance and wear provided indoor slippers or socks; photography is permitted but flash is generally prohibited in exhibit rooms.
