Ehrismann Residence, Western residence in Motomachi Park, Yokohama, Japan
The Ehrismann Residence is a two-story wooden house in the Motomachi neighborhood of Yokohama, with white exterior walls, green trim, and broad windows that reflect a European residential style. Inside, the rooms include fireplaces, a dining area, and exhibition spaces where Western architectural traditions in the region are documented.
The building was designed in 1926 by architect Antonin Raymond for a Swiss merchant and belongs to a group of Western residences that appeared as Yokohama's port opened to foreign traders. It was taken apart in 1982 and moved to its current site in 1990, where it became accessible to the public.
The house gives visitors a sense of how a wealthy European merchant lived in Yokohama in the early 20th century, with furniture and fittings that recall a comfortable Western home. Walking through the rooms, one notices how naturally Western living habits sat alongside everyday Japanese elements.
Entry is free, and visitors are asked to remove their shoes and wear the slippers provided at the entrance. The rooms are compact, so going at a quieter time of day makes it easier to move around and look at the details closely.
Antonin Raymond, who designed the house, was a Czech-American architect who lived and worked in Japan and played a central role in introducing modern Western building methods to the country. His influence can be seen in the clean lines and use of natural materials, which set this building apart from other Western constructions of the time.
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