安藤家住宅, Traditional residence in Minami-Alps, Japan.
The Ando House is an early 18th-century residence featuring thatched roofs and traditional wooden architecture. The property includes a main building, gate house, storehouse, and Japanese gardens arranged throughout the grounds.
The house was built in 1702 during the Edo period and belonged to a wealthy farming family who served as village headmen of Seinanko. Its construction and features reflect the family's prosperity and importance in regional society.
The entrance hall with its raised platform shows a design typically associated with samurai homes. This choice reflected the family's high standing in the village as leaders and respected landowners.
The residence is open daily from morning to late afternoon and can be explored on foot throughout the day. Visitors should allow time to see all buildings and gardens, as the property is spread across the grounds.
A black pine tree on the grounds is around 350 years old and features a lightning rod installed during the Meiji period. This combination of ancient tree and historical safety equipment shows how traditional sites adapted to new technology.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
