The Hamoto Family Residence is a historic merchant house built during the Meiji era (1868–1912), located in Nishikannonji-cho, Yamatokoriyama City, Nara Prefecture. Facing east along an old road that once connected the castle town of Koriyama with Nara, the residence is a valuable example of traditional Japanese townhouse architecture and preserves the atmosphere of the town’s historic streets.
The Hamoto family originally operated as money changers, a history reflected in the balance-weight emblem displayed on the building’s mushikomado lattice windows. Over the years, the family adapted its business to changing times, first dealing in fertilizers and later, after World War II, in products such as bread and knitted goods. The residence therefore tells the story of generations of family life and commerce in this historic neighborhood.
The house is believed to have been built around 1890–1891. It follows a traditional machiya design, with a gabled roof, an entrance facing the street, and a low second floor known as a tsushi nikai. The roof is covered with interlocking ceramic tiles and features a gently curved profile. A chimney outlet once used to release smoke from the cooking hearth also survives, offering a tangible reminder of daily life in the past.
The street-facing façade features delicate wooden latticework and a traditional hinged wooden bench, known as a battari shōgi. Long, narrow mushikomado windows line the upper floor, while details such as flat roof-end tiles and projecting side walls add to the building’s distinctive appearance. The wooden latticework and beams are coated with bengara, a traditional reddish-brown pigment, creating a subdued color scheme that blends beautifully with the historic streetscape.
The main building is arranged with a long earthen-floored passage running along the southern side and six rooms lined up on the northern side. The two rooms at the front are relatively small, and a small courtyard garden is incorporated into the layout. These features demonstrate how traditional townhouses used natural light and ventilation to make the most of limited space.
The residence is said to have been constructed with the involvement of Chōshichi Kawasaki, the grandfather of Yūgen Kawasaki, a renowned Nara joiner. His craftsmanship is reflected in the sliding doors, decorative transom panels, and tea room. Fine details, including traditional Narihira-style latticework, the rafters above the courtyard, and storm shutters that wrap around the inner corners of the building, reveal the skill and aesthetic sensibility of the artisans.
In the past, numerous traditional townhouses stood along the old road around Kannonji-cho. Today, however, only a small number retain their historic appearance. Although some alterations have been made to the Hamoto Family Residence, it remains in good condition and is an exceptionally valuable example of merchant-house architecture from the former castle town of Yamatokoriyama.
In recognition of its historical and architectural significance, the residence was designated a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property on August 21, 2002.
Part of the property is open to visitors as the Hamoto Petit Museum, which displays objects passed down through the family from the Edo period (1603–1868) to the Showa era (1926–1989). The exhibits include an old money-changing counter and abacuses from the family’s original business, a traditional bridal palanquin, and a cooking hearth decorated with Honmono tiles.
These displays offer more than a chance to view a historic building. They provide a glimpse into the everyday customs, commercial activities, and local history that shaped life in a traditional Japanese townhouse.
The Hamoto Family Residence is especially rewarding to visit as part of a walk through the historic streets of Yamatokoriyama, together with nearby Koriyama Castle Ruins. Its traditional façade blends naturally into the old streetscape and makes an appealing subject for photography. It is a worthwhile stop for travelers interested in historic architecture and the heritage of Japan’s former castle towns.
The residence is approximately a 10-minute walk from JR Koriyama Station and about a 25-minute walk from Kintetsu Koriyama Station. Its location makes it possible to visit on foot while exploring the town’s historic district.