Ishiguro Samurai Residence

The Ishiguro Samurai Residence is a traditional upper-class dwelling in Kakunodate that features three separate entrances and multiple rooms with tatami mat flooring. The property is surrounded by mature trees and includes gardens along with dark wooden fences that define the boundaries.

Built in 1809, this residence belonged to the Ishiguro family who served as financial advisers to the powerful Satake clan for generations. Their long service elevated this household to a position of prominence within the local region.

The residence displays how upper-class samurai families arranged their living spaces for formal gatherings and daily routines. The layout and furnishings reveal the social order and ritual practices that structured samurai life.

The residence sits on the main street of Kakunodate and is easy to reach on foot from the town center. Note that sections of the property remain as family living quarters and are not open to visitors.

What sets this place apart is that descendants of the original Ishiguro family still reside in certain sections of the house today. This living connection between the past and present transforms the residence beyond a static historical display.