History
Originally the ancestral residence of the Nishimura family, who served as village headmen in Higashi-Tada Village, the estate is believed to have been developed into a formal yashiki (manor-style residence) by the mid-19th century. In the early Showa period, it was acquired by Osaka businessman Mr. Asari, and later, in 1966 (Showa 41), it became a private villa for his relatives. The current owner purchased the property in 2002 and has maintained it as a corporate retreat. In 2019, the property was designated a Registered Tangible Cultural Property by the Japanese government, and in 2020 it was recognized as a Landscape Designated Important Structure by Hyogo Prefecture.
Photos
Main House and exterior
The grounds measure approximately 38 meters east to west and 33 meters north to south, enclosed on all sides by traditional earthen walls (tsuijibei). Between the central main house and the nagaya-mon (row-style gatehouse) lies a distinctive local feature called a kado—an open corner space—which is separated from the garden by a mud wall to the west.
The main Kominka is a traditional Tsushi-Nikai structure (one storey with attic space) with a gabled roof (irimoya-zukuri) clad in ceramic tiles, featuring ornate plastered mushiko-mado windows and a chimney-style vent. While the exterior presents a stately, elaborate appearance, the interior reveals a refined and airy sukiya-style design. According to cultural heritage surveys, the building was originally constructed before the late Edo period as a thatched-roof farmhouse. The thatched-roof was changed to tile roof during late Edo period. It underwent renovations during the Meiji and Showa eras, gradually transforming—from a local wealthy farmer’s residence into a stylish rural retreat—reflecting shifts in ownership and lifestyle preferences over time.
Additional Buildings (Tea ceremony room)
This unique structure, built around 1980, features an entrance design inspired by a funairi (boat landing), a rare architectural element. While it is relatively modern and not registered as a cultural property, it is a valuable building distinguished by carefully selected materials and refined design. Equipped with amenities such as a hinoki-wood bath, it is also suitable for occasions like tea ceremony gatherings.
Additional Buildings (Nagayamon-gate Gallery)
The Nagayamon Gate, serving as the property’s main gate, it features a rare L-shaped configuration that extends from the south to the east side of the property, incorporating both a south gate and an east gate. The eastern section dates back to the late Edo period (1863), while the southern section is believed to have been rebuilt or renovated in the early Showa period using reclaimed timber. In the late Showa era, the interior was converted into a stylish shared space featuring a gallery and an irori (sunken hearth) room, blending traditional Japanese and Western aesthetics.
Additional Buildings (2-story Kura-storehouse)
Believed to have been constructed in the early Meiji period, this two-story wooden storehouse has a gabled roof with ceramic tiles. It stands on a granite stone foundation, and its entrance is marked by a distinctive slanted nezumi-gaeshi (mouse guard), a traditional architectural detail meant to prevent small animals from entering.
Surrounding Environment
"Rear gate, north fence, west fence, and garden fence"
Together with the Nagayamon gate, these are what characterize the impression of the property from the outside. They are said to have been built in the first half of the 19th century, and all of them have tiled roofs built on natural stone foundations, conveying an old-fashioned atmosphere.
Details
