Neesima's Residence

Neesima's Residence is a two-story timber structure in Kamigyō-ku that combines Japanese and Western building styles. The house displays balconies, wooden shutters, and walled sections alongside paper doors and traditional wooden frames.

The house was built in 1878 for Jo Neesima, who founded Doshisha University and brought Western teaching methods to Japan. His influence shaped higher education during Japan's early modern period.

The rooms show how Japanese sliding doors and wooden lattice screens coexist with Western features like glass windows and furniture. The mix reflects the period when Japan was adopting foreign ideas while keeping its own traditions.

The house now operates as a museum displaying original furnishings and household items that show daily life from that period. It is designated as a cultural property by Kyoto City and is accessible to visitors throughout most areas.

The main reception room served different purposes over the decades, changing from a classroom to a fundraising office and prayer space. This flexibility reveals how the house was a hub for multiple activities beyond just a family home.