A Renaissance-Style Lodging for the Crown Prince
The Jinpukaku (仁風閣) is a Western-style guest house of 1907 in Higashimachi, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on June 2, 1973 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a two-storey timber building with a building area of 540.7 square metres, a front porch and an octagonal stair tower at the side, designated together with two ridge tablets; designation number 01912.
A Western House for an Imperial Visit
Jinpukaku was built by the Ikeda family, former lords of the Tottori domain, on the site of Tottori Castle to lodge the future Emperor Taisho, then crown prince, on his tour of the San'in region; its design is attributed to Katayama Tokuma (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The Japan National Tourism Organization notes that it was completed in 1907.
It is a two-storey timber building based on the Renaissance style, with a porch at the front and an octagonal stair tower at the side (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The design, including the ornamental gables, is of high quality, and the details are well preserved.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency praises its design and well-preserved details, and values it as one of the few surviving Western-style buildings of the Meiji period in the San'in region.
What to Look For
Look for the ornamental gables, the front porch and the octagonal stair tower (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Tottori City (Agency for Cultural Affairs). According to the city, Jinpukaku has been closed since December 29, 2023 for conservation repairs including seismic strengthening, and is due to reopen in the second half of the 2028 fiscal year. The garden behind it and the tea house within the garden remain open.
Q&A
- When was Jinpukaku built?
- It was completed in 1907 (Japan National Tourism Organization).
- Why was it built?
- To lodge the future Emperor Taisho, then crown prince, on his San'in tour.
- Who designed it?
- Its design is attributed to Katayama Tokuma (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Can I visit now?
- It is closed for conservation repairs until the second half of the 2028 fiscal year (Tottori City).
- When was the Jinpukaku designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On June 2, 1973 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Jinpukaku (仁風閣) |
|---|---|
| Location | 2-121 Higashimachi, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1973/06/02 (Showa 48) |
| Quantity | 1 building (with 2 ridge tablets) |
| Dimensions | Two-storey timber, 540.7 m², front porch and octagonal stair tower |
| Owner | Tottori City |
| Public Access | Closed for conservation repairs; due to reopen in the second half of fiscal 2028 (Tottori City) |
References
- Jinpukaku (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/2932
- Tottori City newsletter, December 2023: long-term closure of Jinpukaku (Tottori City)
- https://www.city.tottori.lg.jp/www/contents/1671589408244/simple/2312p8-9.pdf
- Jinpukaku Guest House (Japan National Tourism Organization)
- https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/954/
Last verified: 2026.10.23