Former Tōō Gijuku Missionary House, Historic house from 1903 in Shimoshirogane-chō, Japan

The Former Tōō Gijuku Missionary House is a two-story wooden building of about 280 m², erected in 1903 as housing for foreign teachers. Its white clapboard walls contrast with olive-green window frames, pilasters and cornices, and it stands on a brick foundation with chimneys; the roof uses a truss structure. Inside, tatami rooms and a shoe-off custom sit alongside Western detailing, and many windows pierce the walls.

The house was built in 1903 as a residence for foreign teachers at Tōō Gijuku High School. This time was important for spreading new teaching methods across the region during the Meiji era.

The house shows how Western building styles found their way into Japanese construction during a time of educational change in the region. The rooms tell the story of foreign teachers living and working here to shape local learning.

The house is located near the Former Hirosaki City Library and is easy to reach on foot. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes as the floors and stairs reflect the age of the building.

The building was designed in a Western style, but its interior includes tatami-matted rooms where shoes are removed, and the roof uses a truss structure. The contrast between the white clapboard walls and olive-green window frames, pillars and eaves, together with the brick foundation and chimney, is easy to spot.