A Kai Farmhouse Moved to Karuizawa in 1934
The Sangoso (Chuo College of Technology Karuizawa Lodge) (三五荘（中央工学校軽井沢山荘）) is a large farmhouse moved from Kai of the late Edo period in Karuizawa, Karuizawa Town, Kitasaku District, Nagano Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on July 31, 2007 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a two-storey timber building with a thatched roof, a basement and a building area of 252 square metres, moved here in 1934; registration number 20-0314.
The Form of a Wealthy Kai Farmhouse
Sangoso is a large thatched farmhouse eleven bays by seven, owned by the Chuo College of Technology (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Its gables carry rows of neat exposed tie beams and the centre of the roof is raised high, features of the farmhouses of well-to-do families in the eastern Kofu basin.
When it was moved here in 1934, a semi-basement of reinforced concrete was added and the earth-floored area was boarded over (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency values it for the features of a well-to-do farmhouse of the eastern Kofu basin and as an early example of moving a farmhouse, and registered it as a model of design.
What to Look For
Look for the rows of tie beams in the gables and the raised centre of the thatched roof (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by the Chuo College of Technology (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on public access was found.
Q&A
- When was Sangoso built?
- In the late Edo period; it was moved to Karuizawa in 1934 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Where does it come from?
- It has the features of a well-to-do farmhouse of the eastern Kofu basin.
- What changed when it was moved?
- A concrete semi-basement was added and the earth floor was boarded over.
- Why is it valued?
- Also as an early example of moving a farmhouse.
- When was the Sangoso (Chuo College of Technology Karuizawa Lodge) registered?
- On July 31, 2007 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Sangoso (Chuo College of Technology Karuizawa Lodge) (三五荘（中央工学校軽井沢山荘）) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1052-73 Karuizawa, Karuizawa Town, Kitasaku District, Nagano Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2007/07/31 (Heisei 19) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Two-storey timber, thatched roof, basement, 252 m² |
| Owner | Chuo College of Technology |
| Public Access | No official information on access |
References
- Sangoso (Chuo College of Technology Karuizawa Lodge) (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00006244
Last verified: 2026.10.23