Site of Mizuno Kenmotsu Residence

The Site of Mizuno Kenmotsu Residence is an Edo period archaeological location in Tokyo with exposed foundations and garden structures that reveal the layout of a samurai residence. The excavated remains show the room arrangement and building design typical of warrior households from that era.

The residence belonged to Mizuno Kenmotsu, an administrator during the Edo period who oversaw regional governance and military matters from the 1600s through the 1800s. The site documents how Japan's administrative elite lived during the Tokugawa shogunate.

Pottery and tools found here show how samurai families spent their daily lives and what they valued in their homes. The recovered items reveal the ordinary routines and preferences of this warrior class.

The site has interpretation panels in several languages and offers guided tours with specialists who explain the discoveries. Wear sturdy shoes since the excavation areas are uneven and different sections may be difficult to navigate.

The site sits in the heart of modern Tokyo and its surroundings create a striking contrast between feudal architecture and contemporary buildings. This juxtaposition makes the historical period feel tangible by having the past literally surrounded by the present.