Yabe Family Residence (Yato Town, Yazu District, Tottori

Yabe Family Residence: A Window into Early Edo-Period Rural Life in Tottori

Tucked away in the quiet village of Mochiro in Yazu Town, Tottori Prefecture, the Yabe Family Residence (矢部家住宅) stands as one of the oldest surviving private dwellings in the entire prefecture. Built in the early 17th century, this imposing thatched-roof farmhouse once served as the home of a powerful ōshōya — a grand village headman responsible for overseeing multiple villages during the Edo period. Today, it is nationally designated as an Important Cultural Property, offering a rare and valuable glimpse into the lives of Japan's upper-class rural elite more than four centuries ago.

Historical Background of the Yabe Family

The Yabe family rose to prominence as ōshōya, the highest-ranking village officials in the feudal administrative hierarchy. An ōshōya held authority over several villages and served as an intermediary between the farming communities and the domain government. The family's deep roots in the Mochiro area and their important administrative role are reflected in both the grand scale of the residence and the expansive grounds that surround it.

Historical records and architectural analysis suggest the main house was constructed during the early 17th century — a period when the Tokugawa shogunate was consolidating its power across Japan. The residence is among the oldest examples of vernacular domestic architecture remaining in Tottori Prefecture, making it an invaluable resource for understanding how Japan's rural ruling class lived during the formative years of the Edo period.

Why It Was Designated an Important Cultural Property

The Yabe Family Residence was first designated as a national Important Cultural Property on February 5, 1974, with its residential grounds receiving an additional designation on December 27, 1994. The designation recognizes several key aspects of the property's significance.

As one of the oldest surviving private residences in Tottori Prefecture, the main house preserves its original scale and structural framework virtually intact, despite the passage of centuries. The floor plan retains the seikei rokuma-dori layout — a symmetrical six-room arrangement characteristic of high-status rural residences. The timber framework around the earthen-floor area (doma) is particularly noteworthy for its imposing, robust construction.

The residential grounds themselves were recognized as forming an integral part of the property's cultural value. The layout of the grounds closely matches historical kasōzu (geomantic site plans), demonstrating how Edo-period elites planned their living environments according to traditional principles. Together, the main house and its grounds provide a comprehensive picture of how an upper-class farming household lived and operated during the early Edo period.

Architectural Highlights

The main house is a substantial structure measuring approximately 21.9 meters in span (about 11 ken) and 10.9 meters in depth (about 5 ken). It features an irimoya-zukuri (hip-and-gable) roof originally covered with thick kaya thatch, with tile-roofed lean-to extensions on the south and east sides. The sheer size of the building speaks to the wealth and status of the Yabe family.

One of the most striking architectural features is the massive timber framework surrounding the doma (earthen-floor work area). The doma served as the hub of daily agricultural activities, and the powerful beams and posts that define this space reflect both the structural ambitions of the builders and the practical demands of a large farming operation. The construction methods preserve archaic techniques that had largely disappeared from later Edo-period buildings, making the residence a valuable reference point for architectural historians.

The symmetrical six-room floor plan can still be largely discerned from the existing structure, providing important evidence of how domestic space was organized in elite rural households during the early modern period.

The Celebrated Sakiwake Camellia

The garden of the Yabe Family Residence is home to a remarkable yabu-tsubaki (Japanese camellia) tree estimated to be approximately 300 years old. This tree is celebrated as a sakiwake-tsubaki — a rare variety that produces blossoms in three distinct colors: white, red, and pink, all on the same tree. During the winter months, the multicolored blooms create a striking contrast against the aged wooden walls of the farmhouse, drawing admirers who come specifically to see this natural wonder.

Visitor Information

It is important to note that the Yabe Family Residence is currently not open to the general public for interior viewing. However, visitors are welcome to view the exterior of the building and its surrounding grounds, and many people visit specifically to appreciate the architecture from outside and to see the famous camellia tree in bloom during winter.

The nearest railway station is Tanpi Station on the Wakasa Railway line, from which the residence is approximately a five-minute taxi ride away. The Wakasa Railway connects to JR Kōge Station, which provides access to the JR Inbi Line running between Tottori and Tsuyama. For those traveling by car, the property is accessible via local roads from Kawahara Interchange on the Tottori Expressway.

Surrounding Attractions in Yazu Town

Yazu Town and its surroundings offer a variety of experiences that complement a visit to the Yabe Family Residence. The Ōenosato Natural Farm (大江ノ郷自然牧場) is a popular destination featuring a natural resort complex with cafés, shops, and the region's famous fluffy pancakes made with locally produced eggs. The Michi-no-Eki Hattō (道の駅はっとう) serves as a roadside station where visitors can purchase fresh seasonal fruits — pears, grapes, persimmons, and apples — for which the Hattō area is renowned.

Railway enthusiasts will enjoy the Yazu Mini SL Museum, which houses a collection of meticulously crafted 1/8.4-scale miniature steam locomotives that actually run on real coal. The Funaokatake Bamboo Park (船岡竹林公園) showcases rare bamboo species from around the world in a tranquil natural setting. For those interested in local legends, Yazu Town preserves its own version of the White Rabbit legend, distinct from the more famous Inaba tale, with a dedicated White Rabbit Shrine (白兎神社) in the Fukumoto area.