Higashiyama Former Kishi Residence

This beautiful building was built in 1969 as the residence of Nobusuke Kishi, who once served as the 56th and 57th prime minister of Japan.

It is the work of architect Gojuya Yoshida, a leading authority on modern sukiya-style architecture, in his later years. The beauty of traditional Japanese sukiya-style architecture and the functionality of a modern residence are beautifully blended together.

The interior features lighting and furniture designed by Yoshida. The building is registered as a Tangible Cultural Property.

Enjoy this residence and its tranquil Japanese-style garden, which continues to mark the history of the area, surrounded by the rich natural beauty of Gotemba.

At the Japanese-style cafe “Toraya Kobo” adjacent to the Higashiyama Kyu Kishi Residence on the premises, you can taste sweets individually handmade in the workshop next to the sales office with sencha green tea on the open terrace where you can enjoy the nature.

In addition to the standard dorayaki, daifuku, monaka, etc., visitors can also enjoy Japanese sweets made with seasonal ingredients for a limited time only. A stroll through the beautiful garden in the spacious grounds is also recommended.

Gotemba City has a cool climate at an altitude of about 500 meters and is spread over an area of great charm.

In particular, the Higashiyama area, which stretches to the south of the Gotemba Premium Outlets, is dotted with facilities that remind visitors of former resort and vacation home areas, such as Prince Chichibu Memorial Park.

The Higashiyama Former Kishi Residence is located in this Higashiyama area, where Prince Yonin Chichibu, Prince Saionji, Nobusuke Kishi, Akira Kurosawa, Masako Shirasu, and others once had villas. As a result, the atmosphere of a quiet vacation home still remains strong.

From the Gotemba Interchange on the Tomei Expressway, follow the road along which bamboo groves sway in the wind, and you will come to the entrance.

Located on a vast site, the entrance leads to another world of fresh air and beautiful nature. Walking through the sunlight through the trees, you will be healed by the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves.

You pass through the gate surrounded by a bamboo grove with a traditional thatched roof that has been here since 1927.

You can stroll along the “Kazane-no-mori” (forest of sound of the wind), a walking path where you can enjoy the seasonal plants on the grounds as you make your rounds. Yamazakura and sarusuberi cherry trees have been planted to create a sense of the seasons.

Architect Gojuhachi Yoshida

The Higashiyama Former Kishi Residence was built by Nobusuke Kishi in 1969 as his own residence. After some 30 years, it was donated to Gotemba City in 2003 and opened to the public.

The residence was the work of architect Gojuyachi Yoshida in his later years, and was designed to combine the beauty of traditional sukiya-style architecture with modern functionality, while taking into consideration the lifestyle of the client, Shinsuke Kishi.

Architect Gojuya Yoshida visited Europe in 1925 after graduating from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music (now Tokyo University of the Arts), and although he was interested in new architecture, he was fascinated by the architecture rooted in local traditions and ethnic groups there.

Upon his return to Japan, he turned his attention to the Japanese architectural tradition and proposed his own style of modern sukiya architecture. This style was highly acclaimed for its modernity while maintaining traditional elements and matching the Western way of life of the time.

Yoshida was the second person in history to be awarded the Order of Cultural Merit for his many designs.

The Kishi Shinsuke Residence is a representative work from the last years of Yoshida’s life, and shows the architectural characteristics of Yoshida’s work, such as the use of industrial materials, the rough construction of the shoji screens in each room, the push-in doors in the dining room, the elimination of hanging bunches in the Japanese-style rooms, and the vaulted transoms in the rooms.

Architecture

Inside, Yoshida’s designs can be seen everywhere, and the characteristics of modern architecture shine through. Furniture made of bamboo is installed in the entrance hall, creating a sense of functionality and unity.

The ceiling is made of vinyl chloride in addition to wood and bamboo, creating a modern atmosphere. In the study, there is a desk with the handwriting of Mr. Nobusuke Kishi, allowing visitors to imagine what it must have looked like in those days.

The Japanese-style room offers a view of the beautiful tea ceremony garden, allowing for a relaxing stay. In the tokonoma (alcove), a hanging scroll handwritten by Nobusuke Kishi is displayed and is a valuable object.

The Japanese-style room is a condensed version of Mr. Gojuya Yoshida’s originality, with the elimination of hanging bunches and transoms, resulting in a clean and uncluttered space.

The living room and dining room floors are often used as locations for movies and TV dramas, and you may have seen them before.

The living room overlooks a beautiful natural garden. Especially in the fall, the autumn colors of the nomuramomiji and iroha maples are spectacular, making it an excellent photo spot.

Sitting on a chair in the dining room, one has an unobstructed view of the magnificent surroundings. Shoji, glass, and screen doors are all push-in doors and can be stored in wall door bags.

The ceiling of the dining room has a large beam, and indirect lighting creates a moderately luxurious but not gaudy space.

The garden offers beautiful scenery in each of the four seasons. The garden shows different expressions in each season: daffodils and Fuji cherry blossoms in spring, hydrangeas in summer, maples and mukuroji in autumn, and snowy landscapes in winter.

In addition, Japanese sweets are sold at the Toraya Workshop on the premises, where you can also purchase the classic Toraya yokan. It is also recommended as a souvenir.

Higashiyama Kyu Kishi Residence is a rich place full of sights and sounds of modern and chic architecture. Please visit and experience its beautiful architecture and history.