Takarazuka City Central Library Sakuragaoka Reference Room

Former Matsumoto Residence: A 1937 Western-Style Gem in Takarazuka

Nestled on a quiet hillside in the Sakuragaoka neighborhood of Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture, the former Matsumoto Residence (officially known as the Takarazuka City Central Library Sakuragaoka Archive Room) stands as a remarkably well-preserved example of early Showa-era Western-style residential architecture. Completed in 1937 and designed by Kawasaki Shinobu — an architect who studied at the University of California — this elegant two-story wooden house has survived nearly nine decades with minimal alterations, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the lifestyle of Japan's prewar cosmopolitan elite along the Hanshin corridor between Osaka and Kobe.

Historical Background

The residence was originally built as the main home of Doi Kura, a prominent trader based in Kobe who was involved in importing Western goods to Japan. Doi commissioned his nephew, architect Kawasaki Shinobu, to design the house. Kawasaki had traveled to the United States at the age of fourteen with his father and went on to study architecture at the University of California. His American training profoundly influenced his design sensibility, and the Takarazuka residence reflects the California bungalow style that was popular in the United States during the early twentieth century.

The house was completed in April 1937 (Showa 12) on a scenic lot overlooking Budōike (Grape Pond) in the Sakuragaoka district. After Doi Kura's passing, ownership transferred to his daughter Ruriko (also known by her English name Irene) and her husband Matsumoto Yasuhiro, from whom the residence takes its current name. In 2001, in accordance with Matsumoto Yasuhiro's will, the property was donated to the City of Takarazuka. The city subsequently converted it into the Sakuragaoka Archive Room of the Takarazuka City Central Library, where it serves as a repository for historical documents and local heritage materials.

Why It Was Designated a Cultural Property

The former Matsumoto Residence was registered as a national Registered Tangible Cultural Property (building) on November 10, 2005, under registration number 28-0194. The registration was granted on the basis that the building serves as an exemplary model of architectural form ("造形の規範となっているもの").

The building is valued for several reasons. First, it represents an authentic example of Western-style residential architecture from the early Showa period, a time when the Hanshin region between Osaka and Kobe was developing as a fashionable suburban residential area. Second, the house has undergone almost no structural modifications since its construction, preserving the original materials, layout, and decorative features in remarkably intact condition. Third, the design by Kawasaki Shinobu — one of the few Japanese architects of that era to have received formal training in the United States — demonstrates a sophisticated synthesis of American architectural trends with Japanese building techniques. In 2009, the residence was further recognized when it was selected as one of "Hyogo's 100 Modern Residences" in the category of Western-style houses of the Kobe-Hanshin area.

Architectural Highlights

The main house is a two-story wooden structure with a hip roof covered in distinctive S-shaped tiles (S字瓦). The total building area is approximately 170 square meters. Its exterior features clapboard siding (下見板張) on the lower walls, giving it a distinctly Western appearance that would have been quite striking in 1930s Japan.

One of the most eye-catching features is the entrance canopy, supported by a pair of ornamental brackets (持送り) that Kawasaki designed in the American bungalow tradition he had absorbed during his years in California. The windows are single-pane sash windows (上げ下げ窓) — a Western type uncommon in Japanese houses of the period — and the west-facing facade features a bay window that floods the interior with afternoon light.

Inside, the house retains its original layout with a parlor featuring a decorative fireplace, a Western-style kitchen with a pass-through opening to the dining room, and a spacious staircase hall designed in the American fashion. The structural engineering was advanced for its time: Kawasaki incorporated diagonal bracing and thick pillars for earthquake resistance, along with a truss roof structure — details that have contributed to the building's remarkable longevity through nearly ninety years, including surviving the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.

About the Architect: Kawasaki Shinobu

Kawasaki Shinobu (1890–1972) was born in Hiroshima Prefecture. At the age of fourteen, he accompanied his father to the United States, where he eventually enrolled at the University of California to study architecture. After returning to Japan, he gained professional experience at the office of J.H. Morgan, a prominent foreign architect active in Japan during the Taisho and early Showa periods. In 1928, Kawasaki established his own firm, the Kawasaki Architecture Design Office.

His portfolio included notable projects such as the Hirosaki Girls' School and the Rikkyo Girls' Academy gymnasium and dormitory. Among his surviving works, in addition to the former Matsumoto Residence, is the Nihon Kirisuto Kyodan Hongō Chūō Church in Chuo Ward, Tokyo, which is also a nationally registered tangible cultural property. Kawasaki's designs are characterized by their thoughtful adaptation of American residential styles to Japanese contexts, combining Western aesthetics with practical considerations for Japan's climate and seismic conditions.

Visiting the Former Matsumoto Residence

The building normally functions as the Sakuragaoka Archive Room of the Takarazuka City Central Library and is not open to the general public on a daily basis. However, special public viewings are held twice a year — in spring and autumn — for a total of approximately eleven days. During these open days, visitors can explore both the exterior and interior of the residence, admiring the original furnishings, decorative details, and the well-preserved atmosphere of prewar domestic life.

For the latest information on public opening dates, visitors are encouraged to contact the Takarazuka City Central Library directly at 0797-84-6121. The Takarazuka Digital Museum also offers a 360-degree panoramic virtual tour of the residence for those unable to visit in person.

The nearest station is Takarazuka Station on the Hankyu Takarazuka Line or JR Takarazuka Line, from which the residence is approximately a 27-minute walk. The hillside setting near Budōike pond provides a pleasant approach through a quiet, tree-lined residential area.

Nearby Attractions

Takarazuka is renowned as the home of the Takarazuka Revue, and the Takarazuka Grand Theater is located approximately 1.5 kilometers from the former Matsumoto Residence. Fans of manga and anime will enjoy the Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum, dedicated to the creator of Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion, who grew up in Takarazuka. The picturesque Hana no Michi (Flower Path) connects Takarazuka Station to the theater district and is especially beautiful during cherry blossom season.

For those interested in spiritual sites, Kiyoshikōjin Seichōji Temple offers a serene hillside setting with a lively approach road lined with traditional shops. Nakayamadera Temple, one of the most important Kannon pilgrimage sites in the Kansai region, is also nearby. The historic Takarazuka Onsen hot spring area provides an opportunity to relax after a day of sightseeing.