YOKISO

About Yokiso

A villa, built between 1918 to 1937, Yokiso was constructed for Ito Jirozaemon Suketami XV, the founder of Matsuzakaya, one of Japan's prominent department stores. It is situated on a picturesque hillside in Kakuozan, eastern Nagoya. Since 2013, it has been open to the public, offering visitors a glimpse into its rich history.
Spread across a sprawling area of approximately 33,000 square meters with its undulating landscape, Yokiso once boasted over 30 buildings. The carefully designed gardens were created to harmonize with the natural surroundings and terrain.
Although many of the original buildings and grounds have been lost over time, there are still enchanting features that remain. Highlights include the charming tea house known as Sanshotei and the elegant corridor bridge called Hakuun Bridge. Of particular interest is Choshokaku, once a guesthouse and dormitory for international students supported by Jirozaemon. This unique structure combines architectural elements from various countries such as India, China, and the United Kingdom, resulting in a fascinating blend of styles.
Apart from Sanshotei, Hakuun Bridge, and Choshokaku, Nagoya city has designated five other buildings as tangible cultural properties. One of these is Bangaro, which features a blend of Western-style and traditional Japanese-style rooms. Notably, it holds historical significance as it has connections to the Owari Tokugawa family, who were in power and governed Nagoya and its surrounding regions until the mid-19th century.