Yōkan Nagaya, Western-style residence in Kitano-chō, Japan
Yōkan Nagaya is a two-family wooden house with European-style windows and exterior details combined with Japanese architectural features throughout. The structure shows how rooms are organized with Western layouts while keeping Japanese design touches in each area.
Built in 1908, this residence emerged during the period when Kobe opened its port to international commerce. The rapid changes in the city led to new types of buildings that blended Western and Eastern characteristics.
The rooms display French furniture and Art Nouveau objects that show how Europeans and Japanese residents actually lived together in early 1900s Kobe. Visitors can observe how Western furnishings occupied the same spaces as traditional Japanese elements.
The building sits within easy walking distance from the main streets of the neighborhood and is simple to reach on foot. Budget time to explore both residential sections since each side displays different arrangements and details.
The house was planned as a two-unit residence with a symmetrical layout, making it an early multi-family home in the neighborhood. This clever design allowed two households to live independently side by side while sharing the same exterior spaces.
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