Former Hida Family Residence: Ibaraki's Oldest Magariya Farmhouse
Nestled within the verdant grounds of Koga Kubo Park (Koga Comprehensive Park) in Koga City, Ibaraki Prefecture, the Former Hida Family Residence (旧飛田家住宅, Kyū Tobita-ke Jūtaku) stands as a remarkable testament to the agricultural life of 18th-century Japan. Designated as a nationally Important Cultural Property in 1968, this L-shaped thatched-roof farmhouse — known as a magariya (曲屋) — is the oldest surviving example of its kind in all of Ibaraki Prefecture.
Originally located in the village of Kanasagō (now part of Hitachi-Ōta City) in the northern highlands of Ibaraki, the residence was carefully relocated to its present site in 1975 to ensure its long-term preservation. Today, it offers visitors a rare and intimate window into the daily lives of rural farming families in the Edo period, set against the backdrop of a UNESCO-recognized cultural landscape park.
What Is a Magariya? The Distinctive L-Shaped Farmhouse
The term magariya literally means "bent house" or "curved house," referring to the distinctive L-shaped floor plan that sets these structures apart from ordinary farmhouses. This architectural style developed primarily in the cold northern regions of Honshū — from the Kantō plain through the Tōhoku region — as a practical response to harsh winter conditions and the agricultural way of life.
The key feature of a magariya is the integration of a horse stable (umaya) directly into the main structure of the house. The stable forms a projecting wing that creates the characteristic L-shape, allowing farming families to keep their essential work animals close at hand throughout the long, bitterly cold winters. This arrangement also enabled the warmth generated by the horses' bodies and the central cooking hearth (kamado) to circulate through the connected spaces, keeping both humans and animals more comfortable during the coldest months.
While the famous Nambu Magariya of Iwate Prefecture's Tōno region are perhaps the best-known examples, similar L-shaped farmhouses were once found throughout northern Kantō, including in the areas around Hitachi-Ōta and Naka in Ibaraki Prefecture. The Former Hida Family Residence is a particularly precious survivor from this tradition, dating to the early 18th century — a period that coincides with the establishment of the magariya style across the wider region.
Why It Was Designated as an Important Cultural Property
The Former Hida Family Residence received its designation as a nationally Important Cultural Property (重要文化財) in 1968 — known in Japanese as Shōwa 43 — for several compelling reasons.
First, its estimated construction date in the first half of the 18th century makes it the oldest known magariya-style farmhouse in Ibaraki Prefecture. The dating is based on careful analysis of the structural techniques used in its construction, as well as historical records: memorial tablets (ihai) believed to belong to the first generation of the Hida family bear dates of death in 1744 (Enkyō 1) and 1748 (Kan'en 1), helping to establish the approximate era of the building.
Second, despite having undergone various repairs and modifications over the centuries, the residence retains its original structural framework and floor plan to a remarkable degree. This authentic preservation of its fundamental character makes it an invaluable resource for understanding how rural farmhouses evolved in the Hitachi region.
Third, the residence serves as a critical link in the study of Japanese vernacular architecture. As a magariya — a house where the stable projects outward from the main dwelling — it provides important evidence for understanding the relationship between the L-shaped magariya form and the bettsumune (separate-building) style of farmhouse construction, shedding light on the development of traditional domestic architecture in eastern Japan.
Architectural Highlights and Features
The Former Hida Family Residence is a single-story structure built in the yosemune-zukuri (hipped roof) style with a thatched roof of kaya grass. Its total floor area measures approximately 142.46 square meters, with a span (ketayuki) of 16.92 meters and a depth (harima) of 7.399 meters — generous proportions that speak to its function as a working farmstead.
The interior layout follows the classic magariya arrangement. The L-shaped projecting wing on the south side contains the umaya (horse stable), where the family's draft animals were housed. The western portion of the main structure is occupied by the doma — a spacious earth-floored workspace used for cooking, craft work, and daily chores. In the center lies a large ita-no-ma (wooden-floored room), which served as the main living area. To the northeast, a private heya (room) provided sleeping quarters, while the eastern side features a zashiki (formal tatami room) and an additional ita-no-ma, used for receiving guests and conducting household affairs.
Visitors can appreciate the massive timber framework of the roof structure, with its heavy beams and intricate joinery crafted entirely without nails — a hallmark of traditional Japanese carpentry. The thick thatched roof, which would originally have been maintained through communal labor by the village community, provides excellent insulation against both summer heat and winter cold.
The Setting: Koga Kubo Park
The Former Hida Family Residence is located within Koga Kubo Park (古河公方公園), a 25-hectare public park that is itself a place of considerable historical and natural significance. The park occupies the site of the former residence of the Koga Kubō — the Ashikaga shoguns who ruled the Kantō region from the mid-15th century for approximately 130 years. Visitors can still see the remains of earthen walls and moats from the original medieval fortifications.
The park is nationally famous for its spectacular display of approximately 2,000 peach blossom trees (hana-momo), which bloom in a breathtaking canopy of pink, red, and white each spring during the Koga Peach Blossom Festival (late March to early April). In summer, the park's ponds come alive with Ōga lotus — an ancient variety of lotus grown from seeds estimated to be over 2,000 years old, discovered by botanist Dr. Ichirō Ōga.
In recognition of its exceptional approach to cultural landscape preservation, Koga Kubo Park became the first site in Japan to receive the UNESCO Melina Mercouri International Prize in 2003. The Former Hida Family Residence sits within the park's Minka-en (Folk House Garden) alongside the Former Nakayama Family Residence, an Ibaraki Prefecture-designated cultural property dating from 1674.
Visiting the Former Hida Family Residence
The residence can be viewed from the exterior year-round during park opening hours (sunrise to sunset), and interior viewing may also be available. The park itself is free to enter, though parking fees apply during the Peach Blossom Festival period (approximately 500 yen). Guided tours and detailed information are available at the park's management building near the main entrance.
A visit to the Former Hida Family Residence pairs perfectly with a leisurely exploration of the wider park, which offers walking trails through woodland, around the restored Gosho-numa Pond, and through the seasonal flower gardens. Allow at least one to two hours to enjoy both the historic farmhouses and the natural surroundings.
Surrounding Attractions
Koga City and its environs offer a wealth of cultural and historical experiences beyond the park. The Koga History Museum showcases the city's rich past as a castle town and administrative center, while the Takamizu Senseki Memorial Hall commemorates the distinguished Edo-period scholar and painter who served the Koga Domain. The charming streetscapes of central Koga retain an atmosphere of old Japan, with traditional merchant houses and temples scattered throughout the area.
For those interested in further exploring traditional architecture, Ibaraki Prefecture offers several other important historic residences, including the Former Nakayama Family Residence within the same park, as well as the nationally important Shiina Family Residence in Kasumigaura City — regarded as one of the oldest precisely dated farmhouses in eastern Japan.
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Q＆A
- What is a magariya, and why is the Former Hida Family Residence significant?
- A magariya is a traditional L-shaped Japanese farmhouse that incorporates a horse stable into the main structure of the building. The Former Hida Family Residence, dating from the first half of the 18th century, is the oldest known magariya in Ibaraki Prefecture and has been designated a nationally Important Cultural Property since 1968.
- Is there an admission fee to see the Former Hida Family Residence?
- Koga Kubo Park, where the residence is located, is free to enter. Parking is also free outside of the Peach Blossom Festival period (late March to early April), when a parking fee of approximately 500 yen applies.
- How do I get to the Former Hida Family Residence from Tokyo?
- Take the JR Utsunomiya Line (Tōhoku Line) from Ueno or Tokyo Station to Koga Station — approximately 60 to 70 minutes. From Koga Station, the park is about 10 minutes by taxi or about 40 minutes on foot. A local circular bus (Gururin-gō) also operates from the station.
- What is the best season to visit?
- Each season has its appeal. Spring (late March to early April) brings the spectacular Peach Blossom Festival with about 2,000 flowering peach trees. Summer (June to July) features ancient Ōga lotus blossoms on the park's ponds. Autumn offers beautiful foliage, and winter provides a peaceful, uncrowded atmosphere ideal for appreciating the architecture.
- Are there English signs or guided tours available?
- Signage at the park is primarily in Japanese. It is recommended to prepare translation tools or download offline resources before your visit. The park management office at the main entrance may be able to provide basic information to international visitors.
Basic Information
| Name | Former Hida Family Residence (旧飛田家住宅 / Kyū Tobita-ke Jūtaku) |
|---|---|
| Cultural Property Designation | Important Cultural Property of Japan (designated 1968) |
| Estimated Construction Date | First half of the 18th century (Edo period) |
| Architectural Style | Magariya (L-shaped farmhouse), Yosemune-zukuri (hipped roof), thatched roof (kaya-buki) |
| Floor Area | Approximately 142.46 m² |
| Dimensions | Span (ketayuki): 16.92 m / Depth (harima): 7.399 m |
| Original Location | Kanasagō Village, Kuji District, Ibaraki (now Hitachi-Ōta City) |
| Current Location | Koga Kubo Park (Koga Comprehensive Park), 1024 Kōnosu, Koga City, Ibaraki Prefecture 306-0041 |
| Owner | Koga City |
| Park Hours | Sunrise to sunset (management building and parking: 9:00–17:00) |
| Closed | Mondays and Tuesdays (open daily March–May); year-end holidays (Dec 29–Jan 3) |
| Admission | Free |
| Access | JR Koga Station: 10 min by taxi / 40 min on foot; Tōhoku Expressway Kuki IC: approx. 30 min by car |
| Contact | Koga City Board of Education, Lifelong Learning Division: 0280-22-5111 |
References
- 旧飛田家住宅 – 茨城県教育委員会
- https://kyoiku.pref.ibaraki.jp/bunkazai/kuni-14/
- 【国指定文化財】旧飛田家住宅（建造物） - 古河市
- https://www.city.ibaraki-koga.lg.jp/soshiki/bunka/15/siteitourokubunnkazai/kogabunkazaikennzoubutu/2400.html
- 旧飛田家住宅 | こがナビ｜古河市観光協会
- https://www.kogakanko.jp/spot/tour/tobita
- 古河公方公園 公式サイト
- https://koga-kousya.or.jp/koga-park/
- 旧飛田家住宅 - Wikipedia
- https://ja.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/旧飛田家住宅
- 旧飛田家住宅（旧所在 茨城県久慈郡金砂郷村） - 日本文化財デジタルアーカイブ化
- https://bunka3d.com/heritage/783/
Last verified: 2026.03.22