Matsushiro Family Residence

The Matsushiro Family Residence is a home in Giyōfū style in Numazu featuring hand-carved wooden details and spacious tatami rooms throughout. The structure combines Japanese and Western design elements in a manner that reflects the craftsmanship of the late 1800s.

The house was built in 1873 during the Meiji period, when Japan began blending traditional and Western architectural styles. This was a time when Japanese building practices were rapidly changing through international contact.

The residence reveals how a prosperous family lived in this region during the 1800s and what position they held in their community. The arrangement and furnishings of each room tell stories about the daily routines and social life of its inhabitants.

The residence is located in Numazu and open to visitors, though advance notice or reservation may be needed to arrange a visit. Checking ahead ensures you can plan your tour at a convenient time.

The house is a rare example of Giyōfū architecture, a building style that deliberately mixed Western and Japanese elements. Few such homes survive today, offering a glimpse into how Japan reinvented its own architecture during its period of modernization.