This home built in the 1930s when the area was first developed is a treasure trove of architectural detail from the period. Might not appeal to those looking for something stereotypically Japanese, but the traditional craft can be seen in things like the intricate parquet floors. Free and worth a quick stop if in the area.

The Yamada Residence, located in a quiet residential area I found out about it on Instagram, and was determined to definitely go during summer vacation! Today I was finally able to visit! Apparently it was built in Showa 12, was requisitioned by GHQ around the war, and in Showa 36 was purchased by the painter Takamori Yamada. It's beautifully maintained, and I was deeply moved. There's a mini guide sheet, and explanations of the residence are placed here and there, making it very easy to understand. It felt like time-slipping back to the good old days of the Showa era. At the café, I also had a coffee and cake set. The staff were very kind too, and it became a lovely summer vacation memory. Thank you very much. I'd like to visit again in a different season.

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A lovely Western-style house built in Showa 12, with an American vintage atmosphere. The exterior is Western-style, but once you step inside there are parquet floors, stained glass, and even an authentic Japanese-style room, so you can feel the attention to Japanese-Western fusion of that era throughout. In particular, it was fun to look around while searching for fragments of history, such as the laundry chute on the 2nd floor and the rose wallpaper said to be a remnant of the GHQ requisition period. The volunteer's explanations were thorough too, and I was able to learn a lot about the design that makes use of the terrain of the Seijo cliff line. Being able to see a building in such good condition with free admission is precious. There's also a café.

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It was a Sunday afternoon, but we were the only visitors. There's also a tea room attached. Admission is free. There's no dedicated parking, so we used a nearby coin parking lot.

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Seijo, Setagaya Ward The adjacent Mitsuike Green Space is a protected area so you can't enter it, but Setagaya Ward carefully maintains prewar buildings, including this one, and opens them to the public for free. Quoted from the website below: The Former Yamada Family Residence is a Western-style hipped-roof building constructed around Showa 12, and even now, about 80 years later, it retains its original appearance well (a Ward-designated Tangible Cultural Property). From the garden viewing deck newly built for its public opening, you can look out over Mitsuike Green Space up close, and get a feel for life in an elegant Western-style house amid lush greenery, as well as the atmosphere of the former Seijo Gakuen residential area.

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