Kiunkaku, Historic villa in Atami, Japan

Kiunkaku is a historic villa complex in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, with two Japanese-style wings (Kirin-Taihō and Kujaku) and two Western-style wings (Tamahime-Tamakei and Kongō, the latter housing a Roman-style bath). The grounds also contain a yakui-mon front gate, three permanent exhibition rooms named after writers, a tea room, and a storehouse. The buildings retain Taishō-era features such as fireplaces and glass lighting.

Uchida Nobuya, a businessman and politician, built the villa in 1919 as a retreat for his mother. In 1925 the industrialist Nezu Kaichirō bought the land and buildings, added a Western-style wing, and the estate was ranked with the Iwasaki and Sumitomo villas among Atami's three great retreats. In 1947 Sakurai Heigorō, who ran a hotel in Kanazawa, acquired it, named it Kiunkaku and opened it as an inn.

The villa drew notable Japanese writers during its time as a traditional inn, who found inspiration within its rooms and surroundings. The place maintained its character as a gathering spot for artists and thinkers seeking creativity and conversation.

The site is accessible by public transportation and maintains regular opening hours for visitors. It is helpful to check ahead whether special events or maintenance work might affect access before planning your visit.

The property features Roman-style baths, revealing how Western influences were integrated into Japanese design. This unusual feature reflects the fusion of two architectural traditions within a single space.