Former Residence of Yukichi Fukuzawa

The former residence of Yukichi Fukuzawa is a historic house in Nakatsu that features a two-story storehouse he personally redesigned for his studies. The building and its grounds show how a scholarly household was arranged and equipped during that period.

The house was built in the early 19th century and became home to young Fukuzawa starting at age 16. He departed for Nagasaki at 19 to pursue broader educational opportunities and new influences.

The residence reflects how a young scholar developed his passion for learning and modern ideas within these walls. Visitors can sense the connection between the space and the values he would later promote throughout Japan.

The site is open to visitors daily and works best when explored in the morning or early afternoon for better lighting of the details. Wearing comfortable shoes is advisable since you will walk through both indoor areas and the grounds of the property.

Beside the main house stands a memorial hall displaying the very first 10,000-yen banknote, bearing the serial number A000001B with his image. This piece of currency offers a concrete reminder of his influence on modern Japan's development.