Main House of the Ogura Family Home (former Kakutani Family

Udatsuya (Former Kadoya Residence) Main House: A Taisho-Era Machiya in Osaka's Tamade District

Tucked away in the Tamade-Higashi neighborhood of Osaka's Nishinari Ward, Udatsuya—formally known as the Former Kadoya Residence Main House—stands as a remarkably well-preserved example of early twentieth-century machiya architecture. Built in 1913 (Taisho 2), this wooden townhouse bears witness to a pivotal era when the once-rural Tamade area was rapidly transforming into an urban residential district, driven by the arrival of the Nankai Railway. Designated as a Nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Property, the building draws its name from the striking udatsu fire-prevention walls that adorn its facade—ornamental raised walls between rooflines that historically symbolized the wealth and prestige of their owners.

Historical Background

The Tamade area, located in what is now Nishinari Ward, was originally a farming village known as Kotsuma Village (勝間村) during the Edo period. The region was renowned for its agricultural produce, including the traditional Osaka vegetable known as kotsuma nankin (a variety of pumpkin). The opening of Tamade Station on the Nankai Railway line in 1907 sparked rapid population growth and urbanization, and by 1915 the village had grown large enough to be incorporated as Tamade Town.

It was during this transformative period, in 1913, that the Kadoya family constructed their residence along a north-south road near the station. The building reflected the architectural conventions of Osaka's merchant class, combining practical living spaces with the visual refinements expected of a prosperous household. In 1925, Tamade Town was absorbed into the newly established Nishinari Ward of Osaka City as part of the city's second major boundary expansion.

Remarkably, the Tamade district escaped the devastating air raids of World War II, allowing buildings like the Former Kadoya Residence to survive largely intact—a rarity in a city where much of the traditional urban fabric was lost to wartime destruction.

Why It Was Designated a Registered Tangible Cultural Property

The Former Kadoya Residence Main House was registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property in recognition of its contribution to the historical landscape of the area and its architectural significance as a surviving Taisho-era machiya. The building preserves the characteristic features of urban residential architecture from a period of rapid modernization in Osaka, documenting how traditional Japanese building techniques were adapted for the emerging suburban neighborhoods of the early twentieth century.

Its well-maintained udatsu walls are particularly noteworthy. While udatsu were once common across the Kansai region as firebreaks between closely built townhouses, they became increasingly rare as cities modernized. The two imposing tile-capped udatsu on the front facade of this residence are among the finest surviving examples in the Osaka metropolitan area, lending the building—and its current name, "Udatsuya"—its distinctive identity.

In 2022 (Reiwa 4), the exterior was carefully restored under Osaka City's landscape improvement program, ensuring that the building continues to contribute to the area's historical streetscape for generations to come.

Architectural Highlights

The main house is a wooden tsushi two-story structure—a style in which the second floor has a lower ceiling height than the first, giving the building a modest and restrained profile typical of traditional Osaka townhouses. The building faces a north-south road in the hirairi (flat-entry) orientation, with the main entrance on the long side of the structure.

The north elevation features a kirizuma-zukuri (gabled) roofline, while the south side adopts the more elaborate irimoya-zukuri (hip-and-gable) form. This combination of roof styles on a single building adds visual interest and reflects the careful attention to design that characterized merchant-class construction of the era.

The most striking feature is undoubtedly the pair of udatsu walls on the front facade. These tile-roofed walls project upward from the main roofline, originally serving as firebreaks to prevent flames from spreading between adjacent buildings. Over time, udatsu evolved into status symbols—an elaborate udatsu signaled the owner's prosperity. The Japanese expression "udatsu ga agaranai" (unable to raise an udatsu) is still used today to describe someone who cannot get ahead in life, underscoring the deep cultural significance of these architectural elements.

Interior spaces follow the traditional machiya layout, with rooms arranged around a central corridor. Extensions were added in the 1960s (Showa 40s), and a careful renovation in 2015 (Heisei 27) adapted the building for its current use as a guesthouse while preserving its historical character. Visitors can appreciate traditional features such as tatami rooms, a Japanese garden, and an outdoor iron cauldron bath (goemonburo-style).

Visiting Udatsuya

Today, the Former Kadoya Residence operates as "Udatsuya," a guesthouse offering visitors the rare opportunity to stay overnight in a registered cultural property. The property is operated on a private-rental basis, with the entire building available exclusively to one group per day. Guests can experience the atmosphere of a Taisho-era merchant's residence, complete with traditional Japanese furnishings, a private garden, and an outdoor bath.

The guesthouse also serves as a venue for cultural events and community gatherings, functioning as a hub for cultural exchange in the neighborhood. Special dining experiences featuring premium Kobe beef are available by arrangement.

The building is open to the public in its capacity as an operating guesthouse. Those wishing to visit should contact the establishment in advance or make a reservation through their website or booking platforms.

Surrounding Attractions

The Tamade area offers visitors a glimpse into Osaka's vibrant local culture beyond the usual tourist circuits. Nearby points of interest include:

• Ikune Shrine (生根神社) — A historic shrine whose name is linked to the origins of the Tamade place name, hosting the lively "Daigaku Matsuri" festival each summer.
• Tamade Shopping Streets — The bustling Tamade-Honmachi and surrounding shopping arcades, some dating back to the prewar era, offer an authentic Osaka shopping experience with local produce, street food, and everyday goods.
• Sumiyoshi Taisha — One of Japan's most important Shinto shrines, located just a short distance to the southeast, famous for its unique Sumiyoshi-zukuri architectural style and iconic arched bridge.
• Tenjinoki Forest and Tenjin Shrine — Associated with the tea master Takeno Joo, a forerunner of Sen no Rikyu, this tranquil green space preserves ancient camphor trees designated as protected heritage trees by Osaka City.
• Kishisato-Tamade Station Area — The elevated Nankai Railway line and the surrounding streets retain something of the atmosphere of a traditional railway town, with small temples, local eateries, and quiet residential lanes.