Former Honda Family Residence: The Oldest Surviving Farmhouse in Nagasaki Prefecture
Tucked away in the quiet rural neighborhood of Nakazato-machi on the outskirts of Nagasaki City, the Former Honda Family Residence (旧本田家住宅, Kyū Honda-ke Jūtaku) stands as a remarkable testament to the everyday lives of Japanese farming families during the Edo period. Designated as a nationally Important Cultural Property in 1969, this thatched-roof farmhouse is believed to be the oldest surviving residential structure in all of Nagasaki Prefecture, offering visitors a rare and intimate glimpse into the architectural traditions and domestic life of rural Japan over two and a half centuries ago.
A Window into Edo-Period Rural Life
The Honda family is documented as having settled in the Nakazato area during the Meiwa era (1764–1772), and the construction of this residence is estimated to date from no later than the early eighteenth century, placing it firmly in the mid-Edo period. As a dwelling of a middle-ranking farming household, the residence provides an authentic view of the living conditions and architectural practices of ordinary agricultural families in the Nagasaki region—a sharp contrast to the grand merchant houses and foreign residences for which the city is more commonly known.
The building measures approximately 12.0 meters in width (桁行, ketayuki) and 6.9 meters in depth (梁間, harima), forming a compact yet functional living space that served both the daily life and working needs of its inhabitants. The structure is a single building (1棟) classified as residential architecture from the early modern period.
Why It Was Designated an Important Cultural Property
The Former Honda Family Residence was designated a nationally Important Cultural Property on June 20, 1969, in recognition of several factors that make it historically and architecturally significant. It represents the oldest known surviving example of a vernacular farmhouse in Nagasaki Prefecture, providing invaluable evidence of early modern residential construction techniques in the Kyushu region.
The residence is notable for its remarkably well-preserved condition. When restored to its original configuration, the structure reveals an extremely enclosed design with openings only on the front facade—a highly defensive and insular building style that reflects the customs and security concerns of rural communities in earlier centuries. As a small-scale farmhouse with excellent preservation, it is considered an outstanding example of traditional agricultural dwellings in the prefecture.
Architectural Highlights and Features
The residence showcases several distinctive architectural elements that make it a fascinating subject for those interested in traditional Japanese building techniques.
Three-Room Floor Plan (Sanmadori)
Japanese farmhouses of this era typically featured a "ta-no-ji" (田の字) layout, named after the Chinese character for "rice paddy," which divided the living space into four rooms arranged in a grid pattern. The Honda residence, however, employs a three-room (三間取り, sanmadori) variation, where the two rooms closest to the earthen-floor work area (土間, doma) are combined into a single larger space. The eastern half of the house served as the doma—an earthen-floored workspace used for tasks such as threshing, cooking, and tool maintenance—while the western half contained the living quarters.
Thatched Roof with "Momozuki" Style
The residence features a magnificent thatched roof (茅葺, kayabuki) with a hipped roof form (寄棟造, yosemunezukuri). One of its most distinctive characteristics is the "shikoro-buki" (錣葺き) eave construction, where the roof slope changes angle partway down, creating a two-tiered profile reminiscent of the neck guard (shikoro) of a samurai helmet. This particular style of thatching is locally known as "momozuki-buki." Remarkably, even the eaves are thatched—an unusual feature, as eaves on similar structures were typically covered with tiles.
Structural Craftsmanship
The timber framing is characterized by robust proportions (大きな木割, ōkina kiwari), reflecting a sturdy construction approach. The roof structure uses a "sasu-gumi" (叉首組み) system—a scissor-truss framework where paired rafters meet at the ridge without a ridge post (棟束, munazuka). This ancient construction method predates the more common ridge-post systems found in later buildings.
Interior Details
Inside the residence, visitors can observe several rare surviving or carefully restored features. These include bamboo slatted flooring (竹簀子, take sunoko), a ship-shaped ladder (船形梯子, funagata hashigo) used to access upper storage areas, and vertical "maira-do" (舞良戸) sliding doors—a type of paneled door with horizontal battens that was common in pre-modern Japanese residences. Together, these elements paint a vivid picture of daily life in an Edo-period farming household.
Visiting the Former Honda Family Residence
The Former Honda Family Residence is freely accessible to visitors at all times, with no admission fee required. The site is owned and maintained by Nagasaki City, ensuring its ongoing preservation for future generations. Please note that the approach road to the residence is quite narrow, and there is no parking available on-site. Visitors are advised to use public transportation rather than private vehicles.
The surrounding area of Nakazato-machi retains much of its rural character, offering a peaceful atmosphere that contrasts markedly with the bustling city center of Nagasaki. A visit to the residence provides an excellent opportunity to experience the quieter, agricultural side of Nagasaki's history—far removed from the international trading port that the city is best known for.
Nearby Attractions and Surrounding Area
The Former Honda Family Residence is situated in the Mogi-Toishi area on the eastern outskirts of Nagasaki City. While the immediate neighborhood is primarily residential and agricultural, the wider area offers several points of interest for visitors looking to explore beyond the main tourist districts.
The nearby fishing village of Mogi (茂木), just a short drive away, is famous for its fresh seafood and the locally grown Mogi biwa (loquat fruit), a prized Nagasaki specialty. Mogi also features the historic Mogi Shrine (裳着神社), one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Nagasaki with over 850 years of history. The scenic Tachibana Bay coastline offers beautiful views and opportunities for coastal walks.
From the Nakazato area, central Nagasaki's world-famous attractions are approximately 40 minutes away by bus. These include the Glover Garden (featuring another Important Cultural Property, the Former Glover Residence), the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, Dejima, and the historic temples of Teramachi. Combining a visit to the Honda residence with these main attractions allows travelers to appreciate the full breadth of Nagasaki's diverse cultural heritage—from its rural farming traditions to its role as Japan's gateway to the outside world.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Nagasaki
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Former Honda Family Residence (Nakazato Cho, Nagasaki City,
- [ Gunkanjima Island Landing & Glover Garden Tours ]
Q＆A
- Is there an admission fee to visit the Former Honda Family Residence?
- No, the site is free to visit and open for viewing at all times. There is no gate or reception desk—visitors are free to walk up and observe the exterior of the building throughout the day. Please be considerate of nearby residents, especially during early morning or late evening hours.
- How do I get to the Former Honda Family Residence by public transportation?
- From Nagasaki Station, take a bus bound for the Mogi/Nakazato area and alight at the "Fujidana" (藤棚) bus stop. From there, it is approximately a 10-minute walk to the residence. The total journey from Nagasaki Station takes about 40 minutes. Please note that the access road is narrow and there is no parking, so public transportation is strongly recommended.
- What makes this farmhouse historically significant?
- The Former Honda Family Residence is considered the oldest surviving farmhouse in Nagasaki Prefecture, dating back to the early to mid-eighteenth century. It preserves a three-room floor plan (sanmadori) that represents an early form of Japanese rural domestic architecture. Its thatched roof, scissor-truss structure, bamboo flooring, and other original features provide invaluable insight into traditional construction methods and the daily life of Edo-period farming communities.
- Is the site suitable for visitors with limited mobility?
- The approach road to the residence is narrow and may involve some uphill walking. The site itself is an outdoor heritage property without modern accessibility facilities such as ramps or elevators. Visitors with limited mobility should be aware of these conditions when planning their visit.
- What is the best season to visit?
- The residence can be appreciated year-round. Spring (March–May) and autumn (October–November) offer the most comfortable weather and beautiful natural surroundings. If visiting in early summer (late May–June), you can also enjoy the season for Mogi loquats at nearby Mogi. Note that the thatched roof takes on a particularly photogenic appearance when set against autumn foliage or spring greenery.
Basic Information
| Name | Former Honda Family Residence (旧本田家住宅) |
|---|---|
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (National Designation), designated June 20, 1969 |
| Period of Construction | Mid-Edo Period (estimated early to mid-18th century) |
| Building Type | Vernacular farmhouse (民家, minka) |
| Structure | Hipped roof (寄棟造), thatched (茅葺); dimensions: 12.0m × 6.9m with eaves on west, east, and south sides |
| Address | 1478 Nakazato-machi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture 851-0103 |
| Owner | Nagasaki City |
| Admission | Free (open for viewing at all times) |
| Access | Bus to "Fujidana" stop (approx. 40 min from Nagasaki Station), then 10-minute walk. No parking available. |
| Contact | Nagasaki City Cultural Properties Division: Tel 095-829-1193 |
References
- 旧本田家住宅 – 長崎市ウェブサイト（文化財課）
- https://www.city.nagasaki.lg.jp/page/1074.html
- 旧本田家住宅 – 長崎県文化財データベース
- https://www.pref.nagasaki.jp/bunkadb/index.php/view/164
- 旧本田家住宅(長崎県長崎市中里町) – 文化遺産オンライン
- https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/124537
- 旧本田家住宅 – ながさき旅ネット（長崎県観光連盟）
- https://www.nagasaki-tabinet.com/guide/101063
- 旧本田家住宅 | スポット – travel nagasaki（長崎市公式観光サイト）
- https://www.at-nagasaki.jp/spot/65180
- 国指定文化財等データベース（文化庁）
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/3530
Last verified: 2026.03.13