A Prairie-Style House by the Sea, 1928
The Former Kachi Residence (旧加地邸, Kyū Kachi-tei) is a house completed in 1928 in Isshiki, Hayama Town, Kanagawa Prefecture, designed by the architect Endō Arata, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on October 27, 2017 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Today it goes by the name Hayama Kachi-tei.
The Agency records a two-storey building of timber with some reinforced concrete, partly with a basement level, under a copper roof, with a building area of 297 square metres; registration number 14-253.
A House for a Mitsui Executive
According to the official Hayama Kachi-tei website, Endō designed the house for 加地利夫 (Mr Kachi), an executive of the trading house Mitsui & Co. Endō had trained under Frank Lloyd Wright, and the Former Kachi Residence carries his teacher's idiom more strongly than most of his work.
In 2020 the architect Shuhei Kamiya renovated the house as a whole-house rental lodging (official website). The rooms of highest design value, such as the salon and the sunroom, were left largely as found apart from new lighting, while the bathroom and kitchen were rebuilt for modern use.
Why It Was Registered
The Former Kachi Residence was registered as a model of form. The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes it as a fine Wright-style house in the Prairie manner, held together by generous use of Ōya stone and long, low eaves that stretch horizontally.
What to Look For
Follow the Agency's description and the plan falls into place. An approach paved with Ōya stone leads to the entrance; at the heart of the house is a living room with a sunroom, opening south onto a terrace. Bedrooms lie to the east and the dining room to the west, and behind the fireplace is a billiard room.
From outside, watch the long horizontal eaves and the Ōya stone repeated on walls and floors. The official website also points out triangle and hexagon motifs that recur throughout the Former Kachi Residence.
Visiting
The Former Kachi Residence operates as a whole-house rental, so the interior is normally open only to staying guests (official website). Otherwise, guided tours led by the manager are held on set dates, and photography is allowed everywhere in the house during the tour; check the official website for dates. The Kanagawa Tourism Association likewise notes that viewing is limited to occasional tours.
From JR Zushi Station or Keikyu Zushi-Hayama Station, take a Keikyu bus on the Hayama (Yamate loop) route for about 15 minutes to Kyu-Yakuba-mae, then walk about 5 minutes (official website). By car it is about 10 minutes from the Nagara interchange on the Zushi-Hayama road, and there is free parking for 3 cars on site. The surrounding lanes are narrow.
Q&A
- When was the Former Kachi Residence built?
- It was completed in 1928 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Who designed the Former Kachi Residence?
- Endō Arata, a pupil of Frank Lloyd Wright, for 加地利夫, an executive of Mitsui & Co. (official website).
- What are the main features of the Former Kachi Residence?
- Extensive Ōya stone and long horizontal eaves in the Prairie manner; a living room with a sunroom at the centre, with bedrooms, a dining room and a billiard room around it.
- Can I visit the Former Kachi Residence (Hayama Kachi-tei)?
- It is a whole-house rental. Non-guests can see the interior on guided tours held on set dates; check the official website.
- When was the Former Kachi Residence registered?
- On October 27, 2017 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Former Kachi Residence (旧加地邸) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1706 Isshiki, Hayama Town, Miura District, Kanagawa Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2017/10/27 (Heisei 29) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber with some reinforced concrete, two storeys with a partial basement, copper roof, building area 297 square metres |
| Owner | Yoneyama Co., Ltd. |
| Public Access | Operates as a whole-house rental; viewing by occasional guided tour |
References
- Former Kachi Residence (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00011914
- Hayama Kachi-tei (official website, Japanese)
- https://kachitei.link/
- Hayama Kachi-tei (Kanagawa Tourism Association, Japanese)
- https://kanagawa-kankou.or.jp/spot/7428
Last verified: 2026.10.14