A Former Imperial Palace Hidden in the Mountains of Yoshino

Nestled along the banks of the Niu River in the Anou district of Gojo City, Nara Prefecture, the Hori Family Residence (堀家住宅) stands as one of the oldest surviving private dwellings in Japan. This remarkable thatched-roof farmhouse, dating back to the late Muromachi period (15th–16th century), is far more than an architectural relic — it is the site where four emperors of the Southern Court (Nanchō) sought refuge during one of Japan's most turbulent eras. Designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 1979, the Hori Family Residence offers visitors a rare glimpse into medieval Japanese residential architecture and the dramatic history of the Nanbokuchō period.

Historical Background: The Southern Court at Anou

The history of the Hori family at this location traces back to the Jōkyū War of 1221. Fujiwara no Tanzen, who had served as the bettō (chief administrator) of Kumano, joined the forces of Retired Emperor Go-Toba in the Battle of Uji River. After their defeat, Tanzen settled in the Anou area on his way back to Kumano and changed his surname from Fujiwara to Hori, establishing the family lineage that continues to this day.

The residence's most dramatic chapter began in late 1336, when Emperor Go-Daigo, driven from the capital in Kyoto by Ashikaga Takauji, journeyed southward toward Yoshino. On his way, the local landowner Hori Magatarō Nobumasu welcomed the emperor into his estate and provided generous hospitality. This act of loyalty set in motion a remarkable period in which the Hori residence served as an imperial palace for the Southern Court.

In 1348, after the Ashikaga forces under Kō no Moronao attacked and burned the Southern Court's base at Yoshino, Emperor Go-Murakami relocated the court to Anou, formally establishing the Hori estate as the seat of imperial authority. During the brief Shōhei Reunification of 1351, when Ashikaga Takauji temporarily submitted to the Southern Court and the Northern Court was dissolved, Anou effectively became the capital of all Japan — albeit for only a few months. Subsequently, Emperors Chōkei and Go-Kameyama also used the residence as their imperial quarters, with Anou serving as the Southern Court's base intermittently until the final reunification in 1392.

The Origin of the Name "Anou"

The place name Anou (賀名生) itself carries a poignant story. Originally written as "Anafu" (穴生), the area was renamed by Emperor Go-Murakami, who wished for the Southern Court to be recognized as the legitimate dynasty. He first renamed it "Kanafu" (叶名生), meaning "where wishes come true." Then, in 1351, when Ashikaga Takauji temporarily surrendered to the Southern Court and many court nobles gathered at Anou, the emperor declared the name changed to "Kanafu" (賀名生), meaning "celebrating the fulfillment of wishes." The reading was later changed to "Anou" in the early Meiji era.

Why It Was Designated as an Important Cultural Property

The Hori Family Residence was designated as an Important Cultural Property on May 21, 1979, primarily for its exceptional architectural significance. The building is recognized as one of the oldest surviving private residential structures in all of Japan. Its floor plan follows a formal six-room layout (seikei rokumadon), with pillars erected at regular intervals extending to the interior room partitions. The wide column spacing and characteristically low lintel height are hallmarks of the Muromachi period, demonstrating construction techniques that predate most extant farmhouses in the country.

The main building measures approximately 17.6 meters in width and 13.8 meters in depth, with an irimoya-zukuri (hip-and-gable) roof covered in thatch, and additional lean-to eaves with tile roofing on the north and west sides. These features, together with the overall structural integrity preserved through centuries, make the residence an invaluable resource for understanding medieval Japanese domestic architecture. An old diagram (kozu) of the residence is also designated as an appended cultural property.

Architectural Highlights and Points of Interest

The sweeping thatched roof of the Hori Family Residence is perhaps its most striking visual feature. Despite its simplicity, the roof's elegant proportions and massive scale create a dignified presence that conveys the building's historic importance. The structure preserves the characteristic layout of a medieval warrior-class residence, with half of the interior devoted to an earthen-floor kitchen area (doma/daidokoro) and attendant quarters where samurai retainers would have waited, while the other half contains formal tatami rooms arranged in a grid pattern of four eight-mat rooms with two additional rooms at the rear.

Standing before the residence is a stately kabukimon (roofless gate), bearing an inscribed plaque reading "Kanafu Imperial Residence" (賀名生皇居). This calligraphy was written by Yoshimura Toratarō, a loyalist of the Tenchūgumi — a group of pro-imperial activists who rose up against the Tokugawa shogunate in 1863. The plaque serves as a powerful reminder of the site's enduring symbolic importance to those who championed the legitimacy of the Southern Court lineage.

Inside the residence, the Hori family has preserved numerous treasures associated with the Southern Court, including a Hinomaru flag traditionally said to have been bestowed by Emperor Go-Daigo, armor and weapons from the period, and a silver cup presented by Emperor Meiji in recognition of the family's centuries-long loyalty to the Southern Court emperors. A dismantling restoration was carried out in 1998 to preserve the building for future generations.

KANAU: A New Life for a Historic Landmark

In April 2019, the Hori Family Residence was transformed through careful renovation into "KANAU," a hospitality venue that includes a restaurant, hotel, and event space. While the main residence remains protected as an Important Cultural Property, the renovated Edo-period outbuildings on the estate grounds now offer overnight accommodation in a private, whole-building rental format. Guests can enjoy French-inspired cuisine featuring local game (gibier), relax along the banks of the Niu River, and experience the profound historical atmosphere of a site where emperors once held court. The name "KANAU" draws from the original imperial wish embedded in the place name — that one's aspirations may be fulfilled.

Visitor Information and Access

The Hori Family Residence is located in the Anou district of the Nishi-Yoshino area in Gojo City, approximately 20 minutes by car from the Gojo Interchange on the Keina Expressway. By public transportation, visitors can take a Nara Kōtsū bus from JR Gojo Station bound for Totsukawa Onsen, Kido, or Nishi-Yoshino Onsen, alighting at the "Anou Wada Kitaguchi" stop after approximately 19 minutes, followed by a one-minute walk. Alternatively, the same bus stop can be reached in about 90 minutes from Kintetsu Yamato-Yagi Station.

As the residence is a working hospitality venue, visitors are encouraged to check the KANAU website or contact them in advance for current visiting hours, restaurant reservations, or accommodation bookings.

Surrounding Attractions

The area around the Hori Family Residence is rich with historical and natural attractions that complement a visit. The Anou-no-Sato Historical and Folk Museum, located adjacent to the residence, displays Southern Court artifacts and tells the story of the region's connection to the Nanbokuchō period through exhibits and an immersive video presentation.

Anou Bairin (Anou Plum Grove), one of the three great plum groves of Nara Prefecture, spreads across the hillsides near the residence. From late February to early March, approximately 20,000 plum trees burst into bloom with white and pink blossoms, filling the mountain air with their delicate fragrance. A walking trail through the grove takes about three hours to complete.

Further afield, the historic town of Gojo offers the well-preserved Shinmachi streetscape of Edo-period merchant houses, while the sacred mountains of Yoshino — famous for their cherry blossoms and deep connections to the Southern Court — lie to the east. The Eisanji Temple, home to a Nara-period octagonal hall designated as a National Treasure, is also accessible from the area.

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Q&A

QWhy is the Hori Family Residence considered historically significant?
AThe Hori Family Residence served as a temporary imperial palace for four Southern Court emperors — Go-Daigo, Go-Murakami, Chōkei, and Go-Kameyama — during the Nanbokuchō period (1336–1392). It is also recognized as one of the oldest surviving private residential buildings in Japan, preserving architectural features from the late Muromachi period.
QCan visitors stay overnight at the Hori Family Residence?
AYes. Since 2019, the estate has operated as "KANAU," offering accommodation in a renovated Edo-period building on the grounds. The hotel provides a private whole-building rental experience with various plans, from basic room-only stays to dinner-inclusive packages. The main residence itself remains a protected Important Cultural Property.
QWhat does the name "Anou" (賀名生) mean?
AThe name evolved from the original "Anafu" (穴生). Emperor Go-Murakami renamed it "Kanafu" (叶名生, meaning "where wishes come true") to express his hope for the Southern Court's legitimacy. After a temporary reunification in 1351, it was changed to "Kanafu" (賀名生, meaning "celebrating fulfilled wishes"). The reading became "Anou" in the Meiji period.
QHow do I get to the Hori Family Residence by public transportation?
AFrom JR Gojo Station, take a Nara Kōtsū bus bound for Totsukawa Onsen, Kido, or Nishi-Yoshino Onsen and alight at "Anou Wada Kitaguchi" (about 19 minutes). The residence is approximately a one-minute walk from the bus stop. By car, it is about 20 minutes from the Gojo Interchange on the Keina Expressway.
QWhat is the best season to visit?
AEach season offers its own appeal. Late February to early March is ideal for viewing the famous Anou plum blossoms nearby, while late March to early April brings a beautiful weeping cherry tree in front of the residence into bloom. Autumn foliage along the Niu River valley is also spectacular. The KANAU restaurant and hotel operate year-round.

Basic Information

Name Hori Family Residence (堀家住宅) / Anou Imperial Residence Site (賀名生皇居跡)
Designation Important Cultural Property of Japan (designated May 21, 1979)
Category Pre-modern residential architecture (民家)
Period Late Muromachi period (15th–16th century)
Structure 17.6m × 13.8m, irimoya-zukuri (hip-and-gable) style, thatched roof, with tiled lean-to eaves on north and west sides
Address 48 Nishi-Yoshino-chō Wada, Gojo City, Nara Prefecture 637-0115
Access Approx. 19 min by bus from JR Gojo Station to "Anou Wada Kitaguchi" stop, then 1 min walk; approx. 20 min by car from Gojo IC (Keina Expressway)
Current Use KANAU — Restaurant, hotel, and event venue (opened April 2019)
Contact Gojo City Industry and Tourism Division: 0747-22-4001

References

堀家住宅 賀名生皇居跡 — Gojo City Official Website
https://www.city.gojo.lg.jp/soshiki/kankoshinko/5_1/5/1426.html
National Database of Designated Cultural Properties — Agency for Cultural Affairs
https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/2805
賀名生旧皇居 KANAU Official Website
https://www.kanau1318.jp/
堀家の歴史と所蔵品 — KANAU
https://www.kanau1318.jp/%E5%A0%80%E5%AE%B6%E6%89%80%E8%94%B5%E5%93%81/
賀名生 — Wikipedia
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%B3%80%E5%90%8D%E7%94%9F
賀名生の里歴史民俗資料館 — Gojo City
https://www.city.gojo.lg.jp/soshiki/bunka/3_1/3462.html

Last verified: 2026.04.01