A Historic Mountain Home That Echoes the Passage of Time
The Kobayashi Residence (Kobayashi-ke Jūtaku) is a rare example of a traditional mountain farmhouse, perched on a ridge approximately 750 meters above sea level in Hinohara Village, Tokyo.
Believed to have been built in the mid-Edo period, this house was designated a National Important Cultural Property in 1978 (Showa 53). Thanks to its historical value and scenic surroundings, it attracts many visitors each year.
Harmoniously nestled within lush natural surroundings, the residence offers breathtaking seasonal views: azaleas bloom in spring, the greenery deepens in summer, vivid autumn foliage paints the mountains in fall, and in winter, the thatched roof blanketed with snow creates a beautiful contrast with the landscape.
Architecturally, the Kobayashi Residence preserves a typical mid-Edo period style, featuring an irimoya-zukuri (hip-and-gable) roof structure. The floor plan includes a seven-and-a-half ken (approx. 13.6 meters) by four ken (approx. 7.3 meters) layout, with a corner-rounded wide central room (sumimaru-gata hiroma), which is characteristic of the time.
Its thatched roof, thick wooden beams, and lattice windows offer a glimpse into life in centuries past.
Notably, research on its structural style and building materials has made the residence an invaluable case for understanding traditional homes from Tokyo to Yamanashi Prefecture.
Inside, the house has been restored to reflect life as it was in the Edo period. Visitors can experience what it was like to gather around the irori (traditional sunken hearth), or witness daily chores done on the doma (earthen floor), providing an immersive time-travel experience into the past.
Note: As the residence is located deep in the mountains, access by private vehicle is restricted. Visitors must arrive either on foot or by monorail, which is the main transportation method to the site.
