A Traditional Edo-Period House Preserved with Care

Your stay takes place in this Main Residence, known as the omoya in Japanese.

As you step through the entrance, you’ll find an irori (sunken hearth) and a series of rooms laid out in a traditional “ta-no-ji” (rice field-shaped) floor plan to the west.

The irori was originally used for cooking and heating, with a steady charcoal fire always burning beneath a suspended copper kettle.

This copper kettle was made by hand from a single hammered sheet of copper—no seams, no leaks.

Thick Beams, Tall Ceilings, and the Daikokubashira(the central piller)

This house was built in the late 1700s, before the use of powered tools.
Owner and craftsmen selected pine trees from nearby mountains, felled and dried them, and reportedly spent nearly ten years preparing the materials before construction even began.

When you see the structure in person, the sheer scale and manual labor speak for themselves.
How did they find and cut the curved akamatsu pine for the roof?
How did they lift those enormous beams into place?

In an era before saws were common, you can still see the smooth traces left by kanna (Japanese hand planes).
Each mark on the wood tells the story of Edo-period carpenters—their skill, rhythm, and breath.

Double-layered beams. They look like they’ll hold strong for another hundred years.

The main support pillar, or daikokubashira, measures about 30 cm in diameter and is held in place with wooden wedges called kusabi (also known as hanasen).

The main pillar’s wedge (kusabi / hanasen): removing it allows the whole house to be taken apart and reassembled.

At that time, nails were rarely used. Instead, the structure was assembled with kusabi wedges and interlocking joinery techniques.

It is believed that the entire frame was first assembled at a different location to confirm the fit, then disassembled and rebuilt on this site.

A wedge on the engawa (veranda), which may have once been part of the eaves.

While some nails were eventually found during seismic retrofitting, these were traditional wakugi (hand-forged Japanese nails).

Wakugi are pyramid-shaped and each one is slightly different—a fascinating detail of handmade craftsmanship.

Thinking Back on 250 Years of Craftsmanship

From plane marks on the beams to gaps between wooden walls, to the decorative metal covers that conceal nails—every detail of the Main Residence reveals the hands of artisans.

The planks are hand-shaped to match the beam curves with precision.

Decorative metal covers hide the nails—these are believed to date from the Meiji period or later.

For lovers of architecture and craftsmanship, this house is a treasure trove.
But even if you’re not here to analyze the structure, simply sitting quietly on the engawa (veranda) is a wonderful way to spend your time.
Sunny days and rainy days both offer their own beauty.

If you’re someone who wants to see and feel old Japan, staying in this house will be an unforgettable part of your journey.

A place where children can run freely, without anyone minding.

Traditional Japanese furniture and European sofas welcome you.

The front uroko (scale) pattern is made with shikkui plaster—an expression of a plaster craftsman's playful spirit from over 100 years ago.*shikkui=lime plaster

This house embraces all kinds of people and moments—with a quiet strength and timeless warmth.