Visit the Kyu Asakura House & Garden in Tokyo

We were looking for somewhere in Tokyo that was off the beaten track, that was quiet and that was different.  We’ve visited Tokyo several times and explored most, if not all of the major sites, and our trip this time was about seeing smaller out of the way places.  And so we found the Kyu Asakura House and Garden in Tokyo.  So here’s why you should come to this glorious traditional Japanese house, and explore its garden.  This is our guide to visiting the Kyu Asakura House in Tokyo.

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There’s a whole lot to see and do in Tokyo and on this trip we’ve been in the city for 5 nights, which has enabled us to see a lot of what’s free in Tokyo, plus take some fabulous Tokyo Day Trips – including my favorite, hiking Mount Takao.  But Tokyo has some hidden gems, and none more so than the Tokyo Asakura House and Garden.  And it’s glorious.

All about the Kyu Asakura House

The Kyu Asakura House was built in 1919.  The house was the main residence of Torajiro Asakura, chairman of the Tokyo council and rice merchant.   Its current position is in Shibuya in the trendy neighborhood of Daikanyama.  The first floor of the house was used as Asakura’s offices and meeting rooms and the ground floor was his family living space.

Remarkably the house survived the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake and also World War II bombings of Tokyo.  It is a stunning example of traditional architecture.  Walking into both the garden and the house is like stepping into a time machine where you’ll see a magnificent example of Taisho-era architecture.

Torajiro Asakura, born in 1871 in the Aichi prefecture moved to Tokyo to seek his fortune whilst a teenager. He first became a timber merchant and met and married the daughter of Tokujiro Asakura (yes, I know, same last name, stay with me).  The elder Tokujiro Asakura was a politician and successful rice merchant whose two sons had died.  He adopted Torajiro, who then took the last name Asakura, and then married the daughter.

At the age of 34 in 1904, the young Torajiro took over his father-in-law’s (and adopted fathers) position as councilor of the Shibuya Town Assembly.  Then 11 years later, in 1915, he became a councilor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly.  He was at the peak of his power when he built the Asakura House in 1919, which was, at the time on the Asakura family estate.

Asakura (the younger) died in 1944 after which time the house was used by the Japanese Economics Ministry for meetings in Shibuya.

The house was designated an important cultural property in 2004 and has been open to the public since then.

What to see inside the Kyu Asakura House

The house is spectacular, with traditional architecture, tatami-floored rooms, and glorious wooden corridors.  There are intricately carved fixtures, stunning clay roof tiles and the latticed ceilings and paper walls are glorious.

The cedar rooms found on the western side of the house give absolutely delightful views of the garden.  Be sure to look out for the cross-grain on the cedar in these rooms, it was particularly expensive.

There are 11 rooms inside the house, and a paper map that you’ll receive on entering the property will walk you through the house.  When the house was first built you could see Mount Fuji from the top floor.

The map indicates a suggested walking route through the house, and you’ll see:

• The Drawing Room (Osetsuma),
• Two small Japanese Style Rooms (Washitsu) (upstairs)
• A large Open Room (Hiroma) (upstairs)
• When you return to the ground floor, you’ll see the 3 cedar rooms (Suginoma) and a long Conference Room (Daiichi Kaigishitsu).
• Additionally, there is a Tea Room (Chashitsu), a Western-style Room (Yohma), traditional Japanese toilets, and a small inner garden.

What to see in the Garden of the Kyu Asakura House

The garden – visible from the rooms on the west side of the house is delightful.  We visited in Spring, which was glorious, equally fall (autumn) will be lovely, as there are Japanese maples here, stone paths, and bonsai trees.

The garden is primarily on the south side of the house and is a delight of small stone paths, moss-covered roots, and stone lanterns.  As a garden lover I was torn as to which I preferred, the house or the garden.

Transport Details and Information about the Kyu Asakura House

Here’s the important information on how to get to the Kyu Asakura house, where you’ll find it, what facilities are in the area, and what the opening times of the house and garden are as well as the cost of entrance to the Kyu Asakura House.

How to get to the Kyu Asakura House

The closest metro station to the Kyu Asakura house is the Daikanyama Station on the Tōkyū Tōyoko Line (TY2), which is 200 meters (656 feet) away and 5 minutes walk away (you can buy Tokyo Metro tickets here).  It’s not possible to get to the Kyu Asakura house using a JR Pass.

You can also get to the Kyu Asakura House on the Hibiya Line or the Tokyu Toyoko Line, arriving at Naka-Meguro station, which is 400 meters (1312 feet) from there.  Alternatively, it is 800 meters (2624 feet) from Ebisu station on the Hibiya Line (H2)Yamanote Line (JY21).  We took the metro to this station.

Address of the Kyu Asakura House

You’ll find the Kyu Asakura House at 29-20 Sarugakucho, Shibuya City, Tokyo, Japan

Opening Hours of the Kyu Asakura House

The Kyu Asakura House and Garden is open every day apart from Mondays, although the Kyu Asakura House is closed from December 29^th until January 3^rd each year.   Opening times differ depending on the season.  The last ticket sales are 30 minutes before closing time.

• Open from March 1^st until October 31^st from 10:00 until 18:00
• Open from November 1^st until February 28^th/29^th from 10:00 until 16:30

You’ll need to remove your shoes to enter the house.  If you’re not wearing socks, then you can purchase a pair at the ticket office.  Small backpacks are allowed but must be worn on the front.

There are modern Western-style toilets on the grounds for visitors.

How long do you need to visit the Kyu Asakura House and Garden?

You should allow between one and two hours to visit the house and garden.  We spent an hour exploring the house and garden and then sat in the garden for 30 minutes enjoying the peace.

Entrance Fees for the Kyu Asakura House and Garden

Admission fees for the Kyu Asakura house are ¥100 for adults.  Tickets for children (over 6) are ¥50.  Over 60’s and under 6’s are free.   Tickets are cash only (read my guide to cash and ATMs in Japan here).

Final Words on Visiting the Kyu Asakura House in Tokyo

The Kyu Asakura house and garden is an absolute delight and a true hidden gem of Tokyo, the garden is spectacular and the house is a glorious example of the Taisho era architecture.  It truly makes you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.  It’s a bargain to get into and extremely peaceful, an oasis of calm in the city. 

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