The residence features a private Noh theater stage, which is remarkably rare to find within a private residential home.
The house was constructed by master carpenter Tasaburo Horie, known for his precision and use of high-quality Japanese cedar.
The garden design incorporates the natural scenery of the surrounding Karatsu coast as 'borrowed scenery' (shakkei).
The sliding door paintings in the parlor were created by prominent artists of the time, including works attributed to the Kano school.
The building was originally constructed at a different site and later expanded at its current location overlooking the bay.
The architectural design includes a unique 'weather window' and ventilation systems designed specifically for the humid Kyushu climate.
The Former Takatori Residence is a designated Important Cultural Property of Japan, built in 1905 by Koreyoshi Takatori, a prominent coal mining magnate. The estate masterfully blends traditional Japanese Shoin-zukuri architectural style with Meiji-era Western influences. It is situated on a slope overlooking Karatsu Bay, utilizing the natural terrain to integrate the garden into the living spaces. The residence features a rare domestic Noh stage, reflecting the owner's deep patronage of traditional performing arts. Intricate wood carvings, sliding screen paintings (fusuma-e), and sophisticated architectural detailing remain preserved throughout the site. The layout consists of several wings connected by corridors that provide distinct views of the coastal landscape. It serves as a primary example of affluent residential architecture in early 20th-century Kyushu.
The elevated viewing area overlooking the garden with the sea in the background.
Wear slip-on shoes as you will be required to remove your footwear frequently to enter different tatami-mat rooms.
Check the visitor path map at the entrance, as the layout is complex with multiple wings and interconnected halls.
Walk slowly on the wooden corridors to appreciate the artisanal craftsmanship of the original floorboards.
Attempting to touch the intricate wood carvings or leaning against the delicate paper screens.
Closed on Wednesdays; if a national holiday falls on a Wednesday, it is closed the following day. Closed during the year-end and New Year holidays.
Visitors must remove shoes at the entrance; wearing clean socks is mandatory. Touching sliding doors, wall paintings, or carvings is strictly prohibited.
