Have you heard of Ohashi House, a machiya townhouse designated as a National Important Cultural Property, located near Kurashiki’s Bikan Historical Area?
Ohashi House is a distinguished residence showcasing a classic example of a Kurashiki machiya. But that’s not all it has to offer.
It is a comfortable space where you can relax and lose track of time.
You can admire the garden glistening with rain, or cool off inside the house as a breeze flows through on a hot day. It’s also a lovely place to stop by when you want to take a break after walking around.
First, we’ll give you an overview of Ohashi House and its history, then introduce its wonderful spaces and highlights.
The information presented here is as of the article’s publication in March 2022. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About Ohashi House
Ohashi House is a machiya townhouse in Achi, Kurashiki City.
It was the residence of the Ohashi family, major landowners in the late Edo period. In 1978, four buildings—the main house, nagaya-mon gate, rice storehouse, and inner storehouse—were designated National Important Cultural Properties.
The Ohashi Family
The Ohashi family’s ancestors were samurai who served the Toyotomi clan. They are said to have moved to Bitchu (present-day Kurashiki City) in the early Edo period.
They developed rice paddies and salt fields, becoming major landowners, and amassed great wealth through their financial business as well.
During the Tenpo famine, they contributed 1,000 ryo (equivalent to about 100 million yen at today’s prices), and developed salt fields on Naoshima in Kagawa Prefecture covering an area roughly three times the size of Tokyo Dome. They made significant contributions to the region.
In the late Edo period, the Ohashi family and the Ohara family formed an emerging group known as the “Shinroku.”
History and Features of the Ohashi House Buildings
The main parts of Ohashi House were built between 1796 and 1799, with two additions made by around 1850.
After it was designated a National Important Cultural Property in 1978, preservation and repair work was carried out on the buildings from 1991 to 1994, restoring them to their 1851 appearance, when the estate was at its most complete.
The main entrance was built to pass through the row house, a structure known as a “nagaya-mon.”
At the time, ordinary machiya townhouses were not permitted to have a “nagaya-mon.” This shows that the Ohashi family held such high status that they received special permission from the magistrate’s office.
The buildings also feature distinctive Kurashiki architectural styles, including “Kurashiki windows,” “Kurashiki latticework,” and namako-kabe walls.
For example, the upper part of “Kurashiki latticework” allows in light and air, while the lower part is designed to be difficult to see through from outside but easy to see through from inside. It embodies the “beauty of utility” that makes for comfortable living.
The “inner storehouse,” unusually connected to the main house, was apparently used to store valuables at the time.
Highlights of Ohashi House
Ohashi House is more than just culturally significant. It has plenty of appealing features.
Stately Architecture
The main house at Ohashi House does not face directly onto the street. You pass through the nagaya-mon gate and across the garden to reach it. The view of the main house from the garden is impressive! Even without flashy decorations, it has a sense of dignity.
There are 14 rooms, even counting only those currently open to the public. It’s spacious.
There are several gardens inside, each beautiful and giving the rooms an open feel.
Relax in the Rooms and Garden
At Ohashi House, you can do more than admire the buildings—you can step inside the rooms and stroll through the garden.
The spacious, clean rooms filled with natural light feel wonderful!
Inside Ohashi House, you can barely hear traffic, and the bustle of the street doesn’t bother you. That makes it a lovely place to spend some time relaxing.
Some visitors apparently find it so comfortable that they lie down and relax.
A Space That Feels Lived In
Ohashi House has a lived-in feel.
For example, books and an inkstone are set out in the study, making it seem as if someone was writing there just moments ago.
Flowers are displayed in the alcoves and elsewhere. The staff arrange them, and apparently they use flowers growing in the garden or on the hills, rather than buying them from a florist, arranging them in their own style.
Unassuming, gentle, and beautiful, the flowers are popular with visitors.
They make you wonder what kinds of flowers people in the past might have displayed.
In summer, you can enjoy the cool breeze coming through the windows and the sound of wind chimes; in winter, the warmth of a sunny spot. Spending time in tune with nature like this can make you feel as if you live in the house yourself.
Enjoy Ohashi House Even More
Here are some tips for enjoying Ohashi House even more.
Ask a Staff Member to Show You Around
As you look around the house, you may find yourself wondering things like, “What was this used for?”
If so, just ask a staff member at the entrance, and they can show you around the building.
A tour takes about 30 minutes, and no reservation is needed.
They told us, “Please feel free to ask.”
Take Your Favorite Photos
There are no areas where photography is prohibited. The exterior, garden, and rooms all make great subjects.
Find your favorite spot.
Try Holding a Japanese Sword (Live Blade)
Remarkably, at Ohashi House, you can hold a Japanese sword (a live blade).
I tried holding one, too. It was surprisingly heavy, but drawing the sword from its scabbard was smoother than I expected. As I tried holding it in a ready stance, I thought about historical figures and manga characters.
This is a rare opportunity, so ask a staff member and give it a try.
In the second half of the article, we interviewed Ohashi House staff members Michiko Fujiwara and Natsumi Tada about their favorite spots and what they take pride in at Ohashi House.
- Model: Alice
Ohashi House details
| Name | Ohashi House |
|---|---|
| Address | 3-21-31 Achi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-422-0007 |
| Parking | None Several paid parking lots nearby |
| Opening hours | 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Closed | Closed Fridays in December, January, and February (open every day from March to November) Closed December 28–January 3 |
| Admission (tax included) | 【General admission】 Adults: ¥550 Seniors (65 and over): ¥350 Elementary and junior high school students: ¥350 Visitors with disabilities: Free ※Group rates available for groups of 30 or more |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Not available |
| Smoking | Entirely smoke-free |
| Restrooms | Western-style toilets |
| Families with children | No nursing room or similar facilities. Ask a staff member, and they can show you to a waiting room or similar space. |
| Website | Official website of Ohashi House, a Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property |
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