Pop Japan

A historical house located along the modern, and chic streets of Daikanyama, the Asakura Family Home gives off the feeling of being transported back into the past.

Originally built as a private residence for politician Torajiro Asakura in 1919, this very important cultural property is an example of an architectural design during the Taisho Era.

It has eleven rooms, including an osetsuma (Drawing Room), two washitsu, a hiroma (Open Room), three suginoma, a daiichi kaigishitsu (Conference Room), chashitsu (Tea Room), yohma, and a small inner garden.

The mansion, however, is just half of what this family home could offer. There is a Japanese garden that follows the slopes on the south side of the house and has well-spaced stone pathways that lead you through sculpted bonsai, bright moss covered roots, stone lanterns, and colorful flowers and shrubs, which are best seen in the spring or fall.

Tags: traditional japanese house, asakura family home, torajiro asakura, taisho era, cultural property, private residence