The Former Hananoi Family Residence is a historic traditional farmhouse in Noda City, Chiba Prefecture. Designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, the house is a valuable example of traditional architecture and provides a glimpse into everyday life during the Edo period.
The Hananoi family prospered as makishi, or officials responsible for managing horses and pastureland, under the Tokugawa shogunate. Today, the residence is preserved and open to the public as an exhibition facility associated with the Noda City Folk Museum.
Located next to Shimizu Park, the residence is surrounded by greenery and is a popular destination for visitors interested in Japanese history, traditional architecture, and rural life.
During the Edo period, the Hananoi family served as makishi at Kogane Mak, a vast pastureland directly controlled by the shogunate. Makishi worked under the Chief of the Shogunate’s Horse Pastures, managing the pastures and directing the capture of semi-wild horses.
Because of their official status, makishi were permitted to use a surname and carry a sword, privileges normally restricted to members of the samurai class. Horses captured at the pastures were eventually sold to private buyers, and these events could attract spectators from Edo, making them popular public occasions.
The Former Hananoi Family Residence originally stood near the site of Maegasaki Castle in what is now Nagareyama City. The residence of Hananoi Shirō was donated to Noda City in 1971 and subsequently relocated to its present site.
The building now stands immediately south of Shimizu Park and is preserved as part of the surrounding historic and natural landscape. It was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan on June 20, 1969, recognizing its exceptional historical and architectural value.
Before it was relocated, the Hananoi residence was a large building measuring approximately 10.5 bays in frontage and 5.5 bays in depth. During the relocation process, however, the house was restored to the dimensions believed to represent its original form from the latter half of the 17th century.
Today, the residence has a frontage of approximately 8 bays and a depth of 5 bays. Its traditional thatched hipped roof and single-story structure preserve the appearance of an Edo-period farmhouse.
The residence dates back to the late 17th century and is characterized by a traditional single-story yosemune-style structure with a thatched roof. The building measures approximately 15.5 meters along the ridge and 9.1 meters across, providing a relatively spacious interior for a traditional farmhouse of its period.
The house offers valuable insight into the lifestyle of a prosperous farming family during the Edo period, including the ways in which living, agricultural work, cooking, storage, and hospitality were organized under one roof.
The interior is divided into an earthen-floored workspace, living rooms, and storage areas. An earthen floor is located toward the front left side of the house and was used for agricultural work and other everyday tasks.
At the center is an irori, a traditional sunken hearth where family members could gather to cook, keep warm, and spend time together.
The smoke produced by the irori also had an important practical function. It helped protect the thatched roof from insects and moisture. For this reason, the irori continues to be used as part of the traditional maintenance of the thatched roof.
The rear section of the house contains the family’s living spaces and storage areas. On the right side are the entrance, middle room, and formal rear room with a tokonoma alcove.
This arrangement is characteristic of relatively prosperous farmhouses of the Edo period. In addition to serving the family’s everyday needs, the more formal rooms could be used to welcome guests and conduct important social occasions.
The Former Hananoi Family Residence is open to the public as an exhibition facility associated with the Noda City Folk Museum. Because the building itself is an important cultural property, visitors can learn about traditional construction techniques and experience the atmosphere of an Edo-period farmhouse firsthand.
Rather than displaying only objects behind glass, the preserved building allows visitors to see the actual structure, room arrangement, hearth, earthen floor, and thatched roof. This makes the residence particularly valuable as a place to understand how people once lived in rural Japan.
The residence retains its traditional thatched roof. Thatching provides excellent insulation and has long been used in Japanese traditional architecture, but it requires regular maintenance.
Smoke from the irori helps prevent insects and decay in the thatching. This traditional smoking process, known as fumigation by hearth smoke, continues to play a role in preserving the roof and demonstrates how traditional Japanese homes used everyday household activities as part of building maintenance.
The Former Hananoi Family Residence is located at 902 Shimizu Umamaki, Noda City, Chiba Prefecture. It is adjacent to Shimizu Park, allowing visitors to combine a historical sightseeing experience with a walk through a spacious natural setting.
The residence is approximately a 10-minute walk from Shimizu-koen Station on the Tobu Noda Line. Its convenient location makes it easy to visit on foot as part of a sightseeing trip around Shimizu Park.
Visitors traveling by car can also reach the residence conveniently. Parking facilities are available at Shimizu Park, making it possible to combine a visit to the Former Hananoi Family Residence with other attractions in the park.
The residence is generally open for viewing from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Admission is free, making the residence an accessible attraction for travelers interested in Japanese history and architecture.
The facility is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, or on the following day when a public holiday falls on one of these days. It is also closed during the New Year holiday period. Visitors are advised to check the latest opening information before traveling.
The area around the residence offers several other places worth visiting. In particular, Shimizu Park is immediately adjacent and provides a convenient opportunity to enjoy both historic architecture and seasonal nature.
Shimizu Park is a large green space filled with flowers, trees, and recreational areas. In spring, cherry blossoms create a beautiful landscape, while the lush greenery of summer provides a refreshing setting for walks.
The park is popular with families and couples and can easily be combined with a visit to the Former Hananoi Family Residence for a relaxing day of sightseeing.
Other attractions in the surrounding area include Noda Shell Mound and Noda City General Park, offering additional opportunities to explore the region’s natural and historical heritage.
The Former Hananoi Family Residence is a valuable cultural heritage site that preserves the architecture and lifestyle of rural Japan during the Edo period. Its traditional thatched roof, irori hearth, earthen floor, and carefully restored room arrangement provide a tangible connection to the lives of people who lived several centuries ago.
The history of the Hananoi family as makishi also reveals an interesting aspect of the Tokugawa shogunate’s horse-management system and the social structure of Edo-period Japan.
With free admission, convenient access from Shimizu-koen Station, and its location beside Shimizu Park, the residence is an easy and rewarding addition to a sightseeing itinerary in Noda City. Visitors can explore the historic farmhouse and then enjoy the surrounding park and seasonal scenery for a well-rounded experience of the area’s history and nature.