Ishitani Residence
Chizu-cho, Yazu County
From Edo to Showa period – an ancient Japanese dwelling with over 300 years of history
This site covers a whopping about 10,000 square meters!This residence is that of an old family, the Ishitani’s, who moved to Tottori in the Edo period, and lived in this area as landowners. With over 40 rooms and seven storehouses and Japanese gardens, this house is filled with traditional Japanese charm, and has been designated as an Important Cultural Asset by the Japanese government. The current residence underwent major renovations from 1919 to 1929. Local carpenters used only the finest materials and skills to bring out the wonderful aspects of the original townhouse. This place hearkens back to the good old days of Japan where you can feel the richness of the four seasons.
Beams, paper screens, and transoms… both strength and delicacy coexist in Japanese houses
At the Ishitani Residence, you’ll find traditional Japanese architectural forms and gabled roofs often seen in temples and shrines. Going through the entrance you will find an atrium of red Japanese pine beams an amazing 14 meters high. This area is called the doma, or dirt floor, where business negotiations were carried out without removing one’s shoes. Once you remove your shoes and enter the house, wooden panels adorn each room. These transoms were carved by the carver of Buddhist statues, Kokumai Taiseki. Be sure to look at each one, as they are different in each room. The residence is packed with the craftsmanship of artisans in every detail, from the alcoves to the pictures painted on sliding panels, and the heart-shaped paper screens with Inohana decorations.
The beauty of Japanese gardens is amplified when taking the time to sit and view them
One thing you must do when visiting the Ishitani Residence is sit on the veranda and gaze at the Japanese gardens. Japan has a culture of sitting on the floor. For this reason, gardens are designed to be the most beautiful when viewed from a sitting position. There are three gardens on the residence grounds, each with their own personality, and many people come to visit during autumn. There is the Chisen Garden, where plants are arranged around a pond, the Karesansui Garden, a dry landscape garden that uses no water to represent mountains and streams, and the Shibafu Garden showing the charm of green lawns. The space from indoors to the veranda and the gardens are connected in a gentle way. Come experience the Japanese way of living alongside nature.
For reference
Ishitani Residence
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- Address
- 396 Chizu, Chizu-cho, Yazu-gun, Tottori-ken
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- Telephone
- 0858-75-3500
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- Hours
- 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
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- Closed
- Wednesdays (Open everyday from April to November)
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- Price
- 500 yen (adults)
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- Recommended season
- Autumn
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- Website
- http://www.ifs.or.jp/
Access
- Tottori Sakyu Conan Airport is approximately a one hour and 15 minute flight from Haneda Airport.
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- Approximately 30 minutes from Tottori Station to Chizu Station. From Chizu Station, the residence is approximately a 15 minute walk.
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