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A Tangible Cultural Property blending eclectic Japanese-Western architecture with a Shoin-zukuri Japanese garden.
Yamamoto-tei is a stately residence blending modern Japanese architecture and a pure Japanese garden.
While the residence is a classic modern Japanese house, its formal Japanese drawing room (Zashiki) draws inspiration from traditional styles of architecture, such as Shoin-zukuri or Sukiya-zukuri. The Zashiki is arranged as one with the garden, bearing striking present-day features. These include bright spaces with surrounding windows, removable or sliding room fittings, and lighting fixtures.
To protect this valuable heritage, Katsushika City registered and designated the residence as a Tangible Cultural Property, opening it to the public in 1991.
A must-see feature of Yamamoto-tei is the lush green Shoin-zukuri style garden. Although the property is not large, it is designed to give a sense of depth. This very special environment almost makes you forget that you are in the middle of Tokyo.
For a fee, tea and sweets are also available at Yamamoto-tei. Enjoy matcha, coffee and traditional desserts such as “shiratama zenzai”, a sweet red bean soup served with mochi. Experience an extraordinary moment of time slowing down, far removed from everyday life.
The entrance, coming from Taishakuten
Nagayamon (A gate at the Katsushika Shibamata Tora-san Museum side)
Beautiful stained-glass windows of the rooms at either side of Nagayamon
The only western room within Yamamoto-tei, “Houou-no-Ma (Phoenix Room)”
The view of the garden from inside the residence
The beautiful contrast between the red carpet and the green garden
The main garden with the pleasant sound of a waterfall in the background
The table layout takes social distancing into consideration
The signature “matcha” to be enjoyed while gazing upon the beautiful garden
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Order a cold drink and some Japanese sweets, then just sit quietly and enjoy the beautiful view of the garden from the tatami room. It really makes you feel like everything in the world is wonderful.
I bought a combo ticket for the Tora-san Museum and the Yamada Yoji Museum, so I decided to check this place out too. I didn’t expect to find such a beautiful Japanese garden in this old downtown area. The Japanese-style architecture is cleverly mixed with Western features, giving it a stylish vibe. My favorite part of the garden is the contrast between the classic deep red and the lush green—the red carpet in the corridor against the greenery outside looks stunning.
Yamamoto-tei is right next to the Tora-san Museum, just a 5-minute walk from Taishakuten Temple. The building itself is a century-old blend of traditional Japanese and Western styles. In the center of the garden, there are six rooms named after flowers, the moon, stars, wind, snow, and birds. The Phoenix Room is the most Western-style. Sitting on the tatami, looking out at the Japanese garden, pond, and flowing water with the trees—it feels like a giant landscape painting. It's so calming for both body and mind.
