A Library Born of Noble Ambition: The Story of the Former Nanki Bunko
Perched on a hillside overlooking the shimmering waters of Sagami Bay in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, the Former Nanki Bunko (旧南葵文庫) stands as a remarkable testament to Japan's Meiji-era embrace of Western culture and learning. Originally constructed in 1899 as Japan's first Western-style private library, this elegant Renaissance-inspired wooden building has journeyed across three locations over more than a century, surviving earthquakes, wars, and changing times. Today, it serves as part of the Hoshino Resorts Kai Atami complex, offering guests the rare opportunity to dine and stay within a nationally registered cultural property that once housed one of the country's most important book collections.
Historical Background: From Tokugawa Library to Seaside Hotel
The story of the Nanki Bunko begins with Tokugawa Yorimichi (1872–1925), the 15th head of the Kishu branch of the Tokugawa family — one of the three great branch families of the Tokugawa shogunate. During his studies at Cambridge University and travels through Europe in the late 1890s, Yorimichi was deeply inspired by the great libraries he encountered, particularly the British Museum, which he visited with the guidance of the renowned naturalist Minakata Kumagusu.
Returning to Japan with a passionate vision, Yorimichi commissioned the construction of a Western-style library building on the grounds of his family estate in Azabu Iikura, Tokyo. Completed in 1899, the library was named "Nanki Bunko" — combining "Nanki" (南紀), an alternate name for the Kishu region (present-day Wakayama Prefecture), with "Aoi" (葵), the hollyhock crest of the Tokugawa family. The calligraphy for the library's signboard was brushed by Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last shogun of Japan.
By 1908, the facility was fully equipped and opened to the general public, making it one of Japan's pioneering Western-style libraries. At its peak around 1920, the collection boasted approximately 120,000 volumes, including invaluable texts inherited from the Kishu Tokugawa family dating back to the Edo period.
Tragedy struck in September 1923, when the Great Kanto Earthquake devastated Tokyo and completely destroyed the library of Tokyo Imperial University (now the University of Tokyo). In an extraordinary act of generosity, Yorimichi decided within just one month of the disaster to donate the entire Nanki Bunko collection — approximately 96,000 items — to help rebuild the university library. The books were officially transferred in July 1924, and the library closed its doors.
The building itself embarked on a new chapter. In 1933, Yorimichi's son Tokugawa Yorisada, the 16th family head, had the original sub-building (副館) relocated to his villa in Oiso, Kanagawa Prefecture, renaming it "VILLA DEL SOL" (Villa of the Sun). Decades later, in 1979, the historic inn Horai acquired the property. Then in 1987, the building was carefully relocated once more — this time to the seaside slopes of Izusan in Atami — where it was restored and adapted as a boutique hotel. It is now owned and operated by Hoshino Resorts as part of the Kai Atami Annex Villa del Sol.
Why It Was Designated: Cultural Property Registration
The Former Nanki Bunko was registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (国登録有形文化財) on October 23, 2008. The designation recognizes several key aspects of the building's significance.
First, the building represents an important example of Meiji-era Western-influenced architecture in Japan. It is a rare surviving structure from what was Japan's first Western-style private library, reflecting the cultural aspirations of the Meiji aristocracy and their efforts to modernize Japan's intellectual infrastructure.
Second, the architectural design itself merits preservation. The building successfully blends Renaissance-style Western design with subtle Japanese decorative elements, particularly in the plant motifs adorning the frieze, which incorporate traditional Japanese sensibilities. This harmonious fusion of East and West is characteristic of the best Meiji-era architecture.
Third, the building's remarkable journey through three relocations — from Tokyo to Oiso to Atami — demonstrates the value placed on this structure across generations and the care taken to preserve it despite changing circumstances. The fact that it has been continuously adapted for new uses while retaining its essential architectural character makes it a living example of architectural heritage conservation.
Architectural Highlights
The Former Nanki Bunko is a two-story wooden building with a copper-plate roof and a total building area of approximately 151 square meters. The structure measures 15 meters along its span and 11 meters in depth, featuring a hip roof with gable entry (寄棟造妻入) that lends it an air of classical Western dignity.
One of the building's most distinctive features is the sunroom that extends from its eastern facade, designed to capture morning light and frame views of the ocean. The overall design is grounded in Renaissance architectural principles, with clean proportions and a sense of balanced symmetry.
The frieze — the decorative band running along the upper portion of the exterior walls — is particularly noteworthy. While the building's overall composition follows Western classical conventions, the frieze features plant motifs that incorporate Japanese aesthetic sensibilities, creating a refined blend of cultural traditions. This subtle fusion is executed with such skill that the Japanese elements enhance rather than disrupt the Renaissance framework.
The building that stands today corresponds to what was originally called the "sub-building" (副館) of the library complex — the first structure completed in the Nanki Bunko compound. Inside, the spaces have been thoughtfully adapted: the two former guest rooms on the first floor now serve as elegant salons, while the second floor's former director's office and reading room have been transformed into a restaurant space, allowing diners to enjoy their meals within historically significant rooms that once held thousands of books. The designer is believed to have been Ishimura Kinjiro, though limited historical records survive regarding this architect.
Visiting the Former Nanki Bunko
The Former Nanki Bunko is currently part of the Hoshino Resorts Kai Atami Annex Villa del Sol, a boutique hotel and auberge (dining-focused accommodation) with just seven ocean-view guest rooms. Visitors can experience the cultural property building primarily through the hotel's dining facilities, where French cuisine crafted from local Izu seafood and vegetables is served in the historic second-floor rooms.
The property is situated on a south-facing hillside in the Izusan area of Atami, commanding panoramic views of Sagami Bay. The hotel also offers access to hot spring baths sourced from the legendary Hashiri-yu, one of Japan's three most ancient hot spring sources, located nearby in the Izusan area.
Access from JR Atami Station is by taxi or car, approximately 10 minutes. By car from Tokyo, the journey takes about 90 minutes via the Tomei Expressway and Odawara-Atsugi Road. Guests arriving by car can take the Atami exit from Route 135.
Surrounding Attractions
The Izusan district of Atami is rich in historical and natural attractions that complement a visit to the Former Nanki Bunko.
Izusan Shrine (伊豆山神社) — One of the most historically significant shrines in the Izu region, Izusan Shrine is famed as the place where Minamoto no Yoritomo and Hojo Masako forged their legendary romance. The shrine is accessed by climbing 837 stone steps from the coast, and the main hall offers breathtaking views over Atami and Sagami Bay. The shrine is also known as a power spot for good fortune and matchmaking.
Hashiri-yu (走り湯) — Located at the base of the Izusan hillside, Hashiri-yu is one of Japan's three most ancient hot springs, discovered approximately 1,300 years ago. It is a rare cave-style (横穴式) hot spring source where 70°C water gushes from a 5-meter-deep cave at a rate of 170 liters per minute. Visitors can enter the cave to witness this dramatic natural spectacle.
MOA Museum of Art (MOA美術館) — Situated on a hilltop overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this world-class museum houses an impressive collection of Japanese and East Asian art, including National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. The museum building itself, with its dramatic escalator approach and ocean views, is an architectural experience.
Atami Sun Beach (熱海サンビーチ) — A crescent-shaped beach along Atami's waterfront, popular for swimming in summer and scenic walks year-round. The beach is beautifully illuminated at night, creating a Mediterranean atmosphere.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Shizuoka
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Former Nankai Library
- [ Mt. Fuji Views & Atami Hot Spring Resorts ]
Q&A
- What is the Former Nanki Bunko, and why is it significant?
- The Former Nanki Bunko is a Meiji-era Western-style building originally constructed in 1899 in Tokyo as Japan's first Western-style private library. It was founded by Tokugawa Yorimichi, the 15th head of the Kishu Tokugawa family. The building has been relocated twice and is now registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property, valued for its Renaissance-influenced architecture with Japanese decorative elements and its remarkable historical journey.
- Can the public visit the Former Nanki Bunko?
- The building is part of the Hoshino Resorts Kai Atami Annex Villa del Sol, a boutique hotel and auberge. Guests who stay at the hotel or dine at its French restaurant can experience the historic interior spaces, including the second-floor rooms that once served as the library director's office and reading room.
- What happened to the original book collection of the Nanki Bunko?
- After the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 destroyed the library of Tokyo Imperial University, Tokugawa Yorimichi donated the entire Nanki Bunko collection — approximately 96,000 items including invaluable Edo-period texts — to help rebuild the university's library. These materials now form a core part of the University of Tokyo Library's holdings, with many items digitized and available online.
- How do I get to the Former Nanki Bunko in Atami?
- The Former Nanki Bunko is located in the Izusan area of Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture. From JR Atami Station, it is approximately 10 minutes by taxi. By car from Tokyo, the journey takes about 90 minutes via the Tomei Expressway and Odawara-Atsugi Road to Route 135.
- What is the connection between the Nanki Bunko and the Tokugawa family?
- The Nanki Bunko was established by Tokugawa Yorimichi, head of the Kishu branch of the Tokugawa family — one of the three great branch houses of the Tokugawa shogunate. The library's name combines "Nanki" (a reference to the Kishu/Wakayama region) with "Aoi" (the Tokugawa hollyhock crest). The signboard was calligraphed by Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last shogun. After Yorimichi's death, his son Yorisada continued to care for the building, relocating it to his villa in Oiso.
Basic Information
| Name | Former Nanki Bunko (旧南葵文庫) |
|---|---|
| Cultural Property Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Registration Date | October 23, 2008 |
| Original Construction | 1899 (Meiji 32) |
| Relocations | 1933 (to Oiso, Kanagawa); 1987 (to Atami, Shizuoka, with renovation) |
| Architect | Attributed to Ishimura Kinjiro |
| Structure | Two-story wooden building, copper plate roof, approximately 151 m² building area |
| Architectural Style | Renaissance style with Japanese decorative elements |
| Location | 758-1-1 Higashitani, Izusan, Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture |
| Owner | Hoshino Resorts Inc. |
| Current Use | Hoshino Resorts Kai Atami Annex Villa del Sol (hotel and auberge) |
| Access | Approximately 10 minutes by taxi from JR Atami Station |
References
- 旧南葵文庫 — 文化遺産オンライン
- https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/198349
- 南葵文庫 — 東京大学附属図書館
- https://www.lib.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ja/library/general/collectionall/nanki
- 南葵文庫 — Wikipedia
- https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8D%97%E8%91%B5%E6%96%87%E5%BA%AB
- 旧南葵文庫（現ヴィラ・デル・ソル）— アーツカウンシルしずおか
- https://artscouncil-shizuoka.jp/culture-resource-db/detail.php?id=1702
- 走り湯 — 熱海市観光サイト あたみニュース
- https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/spot/133
- 伊豆山神社 — 熱海市観光サイト あたみニュース
- https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/spot/110
Last verified: 2026.03.28