Museum 1999 (Former Chiba Tsunegoro Residence): A Rare Art Deco Mansion in the Heart of Shibuya
Tucked away behind Aoyama-dori avenue in one of Tokyo's most fashionable districts, Museum 1999 — originally built as the private residence of Chiba Tsunegoro — stands as one of the city's most remarkable surviving examples of early Showa-era Western-style architecture. This reinforced concrete mansion, completed in 1934, has weathered the devastating Tokyo air raids of World War II and decades of urban redevelopment to remain a living testament to Japan's embrace of Art Deco design during the early twentieth century.
Registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property in 2018, the building today serves as a museum and event venue that houses one of the world's foremost collections of works by Erté, the celebrated Art Deco master. Visitors to this hidden gem can experience the elegance of a bygone era while surrounded by exquisite art and architecture, all within walking distance of Omotesando and Shibuya stations.
Historical Background
The mansion was commissioned by Chiba Naogoro, a prominent businessman from one of the three great tobacco merchant families of the Meiji era. He had it built as a wedding gift for his son, Tsunegoro, who married a daughter of the distinguished Nabeshima family, a clan with viscountcy ties. The sheer grandeur of the residence earned it the nickname "the Baron's Mansion" — an expression of astonishment that a private citizen could build a home rivaling the estates of the aristocracy.
Chiba Tsunegoro, born in 1911, studied at Amherst College in the United States before returning to Japan in 1933. He went on to become a successful industrialist, notably in the manufacture of golf balls after the war. His uncle, Chiba Matsuhei, had amassed a fortune by selling tobacco rights to the Japan Tobacco and Salt Public Corporation and was eventually elevated to the rank of Baron.
The mansion was designed by Kurokawa Jinzo in collaboration with Takenaka Corporation, one of Japan's most prestigious construction firms. Construction began in 1934, with a reported cost of 330,000 yen — an extraordinary sum at a time when the starting salary for a university graduate was approximately 50 yen. The reinforced concrete structure was built to last, a quality that proved invaluable when the building survived the devastating Tokyo air raids of 1945 that destroyed much of the surrounding area.
In 1981, the property changed hands and was reborn as an exclusive members' club under the name "1999." It subsequently evolved into a French restaurant and museum space known as Museum 1999 L'eau à la Bouche, preserving the historic architecture while adapting it for contemporary cultural use.
Cultural Property Designation
Museum 1999 (Former Chiba Tsunegoro Residence) was registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property (Building) on May 10, 2018, under registration number 13-411. The designation was granted under the criterion that the building contributes to the historical landscape of Japan.
The official description from the Agency for Cultural Affairs characterizes the building as follows: situated behind Aoyama-dori avenue and facing east, the main body features a gabled roof with dormer windows, while the central section combines a conical entrance hall with a pyramidal-roofed entry porch, creating a striking and ornate exterior. Geometric motifs are incorporated into architectural details such as the mantlepieces. It is recognized as a rare surviving example of a large-scale early Showa-period residence in central Tokyo.
The registration system for tangible cultural properties was established in 1996 to safeguard modern-era buildings at risk of disappearing amid rapid urban development and changing lifestyles. Unlike the stricter designation system for Important Cultural Properties, this registration system employs a more flexible approach based on notifications and guidance, making it possible to protect a wide variety of modern architectural heritage while allowing for adaptive reuse.
Architectural and Artistic Highlights
The residence is a reinforced concrete structure with a basement level, two above-ground stories, and an attic. The total floor area extends to approximately 1,303 square meters across a site of nearly 885 square meters. Its design draws heavily from European Art Deco aesthetics, a style that was highly fashionable internationally in the 1920s and 1930s but was rarely adopted in Japanese residential architecture, making this building an exceptionally precious survivor.
The exterior evokes the atmosphere of a European château, with its distinctive conical entrance hall, dormer windows, and carefully composed rooflines. The stone archway at the entrance leads to a generous carriage approach, where glass lion sculptures greet visitors at the doorway. The building's roof features special Taisho-era tiles that are no longer manufactured, adding to its rarity.
Inside, the architecture reveals gently curving corridors and an elegant spiral staircase that lend the spaces a sense of refined sophistication. A second staircase features geometric balustrade designs characteristic of the Art Deco movement. The main hall connects to the entrance and serves as a showcase for works of art, with glass reliefs lining the walls on both sides. Mantlepieces throughout the building incorporate geometric patterns that are hallmarks of the Art Deco style.
The museum houses what is described as the world's largest collection of works by Erté (Romain de Tirtoff, 1892–1990), the Russian-born French artist widely regarded as the father of Art Deco. Erté's career spanned nearly a century, during which he designed over 200 covers for Harper's Bazaar, created costumes for Hollywood and Broadway, and produced lithographs, sculptures, and jewelry that epitomized the Art Deco sensibility. His works within the mansion complement the building's own architectural vocabulary of geometric forms and elegant lines.
Visitor Information
Museum 1999 is located at 4-2-9 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Despite being in one of the city's busiest districts, the building sits in a remarkably quiet residential enclave behind Aoyama Gakuin University, offering a serene retreat from the urban bustle.
The nearest station is Omotesando Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza, Chiyoda, and Hankomon lines, approximately a 9-minute walk from Exit B3. The venue is also accessible from Shibuya Station, about a 12-minute walk heading toward Aoyama.
The building has served various functions over the years, including as a French restaurant (L'eau à la Bouche) and as a venue for private events, weddings, and cultural gatherings. As the facility's operating schedule and available services may change, visitors are advised to check the official Museum 1999 website or contact the venue directly before planning a visit.
Surrounding Attractions
The area around Museum 1999 is rich with cultural landmarks and modern attractions. Aoyama Gakuin University, one of Japan's most prestigious private universities, stands directly adjacent, and its campus includes registered cultural properties of its own, such as the Majima Memorial Hall and Berry Hall. The fashionable Omotesando boulevard, famous for its zelkova-lined avenue and international brand flagship stores, is just a short walk away.
Art enthusiasts will find several notable destinations nearby. The Nezu Museum, with its outstanding collection of pre-modern Japanese and East Asian art set within a tranquil garden, is approximately a 15-minute walk. The Ota Memorial Museum of Art, dedicated to ukiyo-e woodblock prints, is also in the vicinity. For those interested in other Art Deco architecture in Tokyo, the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum (Former Asaka-no-miya Residence) in Meguro offers an excellent comparison as a nationally designated Important Cultural Property completed just one year before the Chiba residence.
The vibrant shopping and dining scenes of Shibuya, Harajuku, and Aoyama are all within easy walking distance, making a visit to Museum 1999 an ideal complement to exploring one of Tokyo's most dynamic neighborhoods.
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Q&A
- Why was Museum 1999 (Former Chiba Tsunegoro Residence) registered as a cultural property?
- The building was registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property in 2018 because it contributes to the historical landscape of Japan. It is recognized as a rare surviving large-scale early Showa-period residence in central Tokyo, featuring distinctive Art Deco architectural elements including a conical entrance hall, dormer windows, and geometric interior motifs.
- What is the connection between Museum 1999 and the Art Deco artist Erté?
- Museum 1999 houses what is described as the world's largest collection of works by Erté (Romain de Tirtoff), the Russian-born French artist known as the father of Art Deco. Although the artworks were not part of the original residence, they complement the building's Art Deco architecture and enhance the museum experience.
- How did the building survive the Tokyo air raids during World War II?
- The building's survival is attributed to its robust reinforced concrete construction and its location in what was historically a quiet, upscale residential district. The neighborhood's character as an established mansion district may have helped it escape the worst of the firebombing that devastated much of Tokyo in 1945.
- How can I visit Museum 1999?
- Museum 1999 is located at 4-2-9 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. The nearest station is Omotesando Station (Tokyo Metro), about a 9-minute walk from Exit B3. As the venue's operating schedule and available services may vary, it is recommended to check the official website or contact them directly before visiting.
- Who originally lived in this building?
- The residence was built in 1934 as a wedding gift from the wealthy businessman Chiba Naogoro to his son Tsunegoro, who married into the aristocratic Nabeshima family. Tsunegoro later became a successful industrialist. The building passed to its current owners in 1981, when it was converted into a members' club and later a restaurant and museum.
Basic Information
| Name | Museum 1999 (Former Chiba Tsunegoro Residence) |
|---|---|
| Cultural Property Category | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Registration Date | May 10, 2018 |
| Registration Number | 13-411 |
| Year of Construction | 1934 (Showa 9) |
| Renovations | 1981 (Showa 56), 2000 (Heisei 12) |
| Structure | Reinforced concrete, 2 stories above ground with 1 basement level, slate roof, building area 428 m² |
| Total Floor Area | Approximately 1,303.66 m² |
| Site Area | Approximately 884.81 m² |
| Designer | Kurokawa Jinzo |
| Builder | Takenaka Corporation |
| Owner | Museum 1999 Co., Ltd. |
| Address | 4-2-9 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo |
| Access | 9-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Omotesando Station, Exit B3 |
References
- 国指定文化財等データベース — ミュージアム１９９９（旧千葉常五郎邸）
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00012305
- 文化遺産オンライン — ミュージアム１９９９（旧千葉常五郎邸）
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/621639
- MUSEUM1999 公式サイト — アール・デコの館
- http://www.museum1999.co.jp/artdeco.html
- MD MUSÉE — Museum1999
- https://www.mdmusee.com/museum1999/
- 文化庁 — 登録有形文化財（建造物）
- https://www.bunka.go.jp/seisaku/bunkazai/shokai/yukei_kenzobutsu/toroku_yukei.html
Last verified: 2026.04.15