Architecture

When you come to Tondabayashi Jinai-machi, stop by the Former Sugiyama Family Residence and the Former Tanaka Family Residence (Osaka).

The Sugiyama family was an old family dating back to the founding of the Jinai-machi, and during the Edo period, they amassed wealth as sake brewers.The former Sugiyama family residence still retains structures built during the Edo period, so we highly recommend touring the interior.

2025.11.22

Architecture[Area] Osaka

Visit Osaka Castle, the symbol of Osaka City (Osaka)

Osaka Castle is one of my favorite places. I've been here many times, but I always think it's a great castle.Recently, Universal Studios Japan has become the most popular tourist destination in Osaka, but if you visit Osaka, you should definitely visit Osaka Castle. The most attractive features of Osaka Castle are its stone walls and the moat that reflects the walls onto the water.

2025.07.22

Architecture[Area] Osaka

Tea houses of different styles at Katsura Rikyu(Kyoto)

I end up taking many pictures of things that interest me. The teahouses of Katsura Rikyu(Katsura Imperial Villa) are shown here. After all, it is better to see the real thing than to see it in a photograph. The real thing has a different atmosphere than the picture.

2024.11.19

Architecture[Area] Kyoto

Nyoho-tei at Hakusason-so is charming (Kyoto)

The Nyoho-tei japanese-style gazebo is a very unique and charming gazebo in Hakusason-so Garden along the Ginkakuji-mich...

2024.11.03

Architecture[Area] Kyoto

Visit the Nijo-jinya (Ogawa-ke Residence) (Kyoto)

Nijo-jinya (Ogawa-ke Residence) is located just a stone's throw from Nijo-jo Castle. It faces the street, but it is so inconspicuous that you can easily walk past it.The Ogawa-ke family were originally samurai, but in the Edo period they became merchants and ran a general store called Yorozuya, dealing in rice, money exchange and medicine.

2024.07.21

Architecture[Area] Kyoto

Visit the mansion of Fujii Hikoshiro in Gokasyo (Higashi-omi/Shiga)

If you walk a little from the Gokasyo Kondo area, you will come to the Miyasho district, where you will find the grand residence of Fujii Hikoshiro.Hikoshiro was one of the Omi merchants from Gokasyo who achieved success with hand-knitted wool and artificial twisted yarn.

2024.05.11

Architecture[Area] Shiga

Visit the house of the author Tonomura Shigeru, who is descended from the Omi Merchants (Higashi-omi/Shiga)

The Tonomura Shigeru Residence is the birthplace and childhood home of Tonomura Shigeru.The Japanese-style architecture, with its beautiful garden visible from every room, is a sight to behold.

2024.05.11

Architecture[Area] Shiga

Visit the Nakae Jungoro Residence, which is part of the Minakai Department Store family (Higashi-omi/Shiga)

The Minakai Department Store chain was extremely prosperous in the Korean Peninsula and mainland China before the war.The four Nakae brothers established the Minakai Shoten store, which later developed into the large department store, Minakai Department Store.This is the main residence of the youngest of the four brothers, Nakae Jungoro, who was one of the Omi Merchants.

2024.05.11

Architecture[Area] Shiga

Visiting the former residence of the literary giant Shiga Naoya (Nara)

A wonderful sukiya-style house.That is the former residence of Shiga Naoya.There is a corridor that surrounds the central courtyard.The rooms and windows all face the central courtyard or the outer garden.From the second floor guest room, you can see Mt. Wakakusa and from the first floor dining room, you can see both the central courtyard and the outer garden.

2024.04.28

Architecture[Area] Nara

Visit Genko-an Temple, where hand and footprints with bloodstains remain on the ceiling (Kyoto)

Go up the slope from the Senbon Kitaoji intersection towards Mt.Takagamine.There are buses on the route, but I walked all the way up, looking at Mt. Hiei on my right.At the end of the road, I found my destination, Genko-an Temple.The round window in the main hall is the “window of enlightenment”.The square window is the “window of confusion”.You can enjoy the view of the garden, framed by the round and square windows, from the main hall.

2024.04.20

Architecture[Area] Kyoto

Visit the former residence of Iwakura Tomomi, the mastermind behind the end of the Edo period (Kyoto)

As the 260-year Edo period came to an end, Kyoto entered a period of upheaval. At that time, this village far from the city of Kyoto became the stage for history.Iwakura Tomomi, a member of the Imperial Court, was plotting to move history forward in this area. Many samurai who sympathized with him and opposed the ruling powers of the time visited this private residence.

2024.04.13

Architecture[Area] Kyoto

Visit the old red-light district Old Kawamoto-ro in the castle town (Yamato Koriyama/Nara)

The old Kawamoto-ro (Former Kawamoto-ke Family Residence) is a red-light district built in the Taisho era (1912-1926). This building is located in Dosenji-cho, Yamato Koriyama City.When each room of the three-story wooden building is lit up,the building had a strong sense of presence at that time.The courtyard seen from the hall has a certain charm.

2020.08.23

Architecture[Area] Nara