A Princely Seaside Villa of 1914
The Old Convent Building of the Filial Daughters of Jesus (former Higashifushimi-no-miya Hayama Villa) (イエズス孝女会修道院旧館（旧東伏見宮葉山別邸）) is the Western-style house of a seaside villa built in 1914 for the princely Higashifushimi family in Horiuchi, Hayama, Kanagawa Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on May 2, 2017 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records a two-storey timber building with a copper-sheet roof, a tower and a building area of 280 square metres, renovated in 1976 and 1987; registration number 14-0228, owned by the religious corporation Iesu Kojokai (Filial Daughters of Jesus).
A Prince's Villa by the Sea
According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the Old Convent Building was built as the Western-style house of the Hayama villa of the former Higashifushimi princely house, to a design by Kigo Kozaburo (木子幸三郎).
The Agency describes an open plan suited to a villa by the sea. The building now belongs to the religious corporation Iesu Kojokai (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Old Convent Building was registered as a structure that has become a model of design. The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes a refined design inside and out, with the open layout of a seaside villa.
What to Look For
It has an entrance porch and a tower, weatherboarded outer walls, and Secessionist details (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Broad sunrooms run along the west side of both floors, and the upper floor holds a tatami room of the generous height typical of princely households (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
The Old Convent Building belongs to a religious order, and no official information on public opening has been found. Please do not enter the grounds, and follow the owner's announcements if any opening is offered.
The address is 1968 Horiuchi, Hayama-machi, Miura District (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Q&A
- When was the Old Convent Building built?
- In 1914; it was renovated in 1976 and 1987 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What was it originally?
- The Western-style house of the Hayama villa of the former Higashifushimi princely house (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Who designed it?
- Kigo Kozaburo (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What are its features?
- A tower and entrance porch, weatherboarded walls, Secessionist details, broad sunrooms on the west and a tall tatami room (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was the building registered?
- On May 2, 2017.
Basic Information
| Name | Old Convent Building of the Filial Daughters of Jesus (former Higashifushimi-no-miya Hayama Villa) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1968 Horiuchi, Hayama-machi, Miura District, Kanagawa Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2017/05/02 (Heisei 29) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, two storeys, copper-sheet roof, building area 280 square metres, with tower |
| Owner | Iesu Kojokai (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | No public opening announced |
References
- Old Convent Building of the Filial Daughters of Jesus (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00011487
Last verified: 2026.10.14