Old Ito Den-emon Residence, Historical mansion in Iizuka, Japan.
The Old Ito Den-emon Residence is a historic mansion in Iizuka with seven buildings arranged around garden areas, including the main house, a gate house, storage buildings, and servant quarters. The structures combine Japanese architectural traditions with Western design elements.
The building was constructed in 1906 for coal mining magnate Ito Den-emon and expanded until the early Showa period. These additions reflect the growing economic power of the coal industry during that era.
The residence shows how Japanese architectural traditions merged with Western influences in its rooms and layouts, which you can see in the design details throughout. The spaces are arranged so that views of the surrounding gardens play an important role in daily life.
The site is accessible daily except Wednesdays, and you should wear comfortable shoes since there are multiple buildings to explore. The visit works best when you take time to walk through the gardens between the structures.
The residence is known as the former home of poet Yanagihara Byakuren, who lived there for ten years as Den-emon's wife. Her time there left cultural marks on the property's story.
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