Visit a 100-Year-Old Japanese House in Tokyo
Like a small museum of old Tokyo, this historic house preserves authentic tatami rooms and the atmosphere of everyday life from the past.
You can see what everyday homes in old Tokyo were like, with a tin exterior, small tatami rooms, and a steep wooden staircase typical of working-class neighborhoods.
Today, Tokyo is filled with high-rise buildings and modern apartments, and houses like this have almost disappeared. This rare home still preserves the atmosphere of old Tokyo and has also been used as a filming location.
The house is located in Tsukishima, a historic neighborhood in Tokyo’s Chuo Ward, just a 3-minute walk from Tsukishima Station, tucked away in a small alley.
The Taisho-era Traditional House
The house is open for sightseeing, with visits recommended for small groups due to its size.
- 1st floor: Step into the daily life of a Taisho-era family. See tatami rooms, traditional furniture, and everyday objects used 100 years ago.
- 2nd floor: Including traditional swords and historical artifacts.
Estimated visit time: 10–15 minutes
Some parts of the house have been renovated, but the building itself remains a traditional wooden structure from its original time, so it can be cold in winter.
Both the first and second floors have traditional tatami rooms. Tatami is a unique Japanese flooring made with a straw core and covered with woven rush grass (igusa), known for its soft and comfortable feel underfoot.
The second floor is also a tatami room. The sliding doors (fusuma) are decorated with traditional Japanese motifs of Mount Fuji and cherry blossoms.
There is also a small household shrine. While many modern homes no longer have one, it was common in the past for Japanese families to have a place in the home to honor the gods.
Although there were no samurai 100 years ago, this house is operated by samurai performers, so you can also see Japanese swords here.
Examples of TV and Music Video Locations
Because it preserves the atmosphere of old Tokyo, this building has been used as a filming location for TV programs and music videos.
Admission fee
1,000 JPY per person
- Reservations required
- Maximum 6 people per group
- Monday–Friday, every hour from 9 AM to 4 PM
- Cosplay photos in the tatami room are available for an additional fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Tokyo at the time, many houses used corrugated metal for fire prevention and easy repairs.
Mainly as bedrooms or storage. Families would lay out futons to sleep there.
Many daily activities—eating, gathering, sleeping—happened in the same room. Meals were eaten at a low table (chabudai), and futons were laid out at night.
Downtown Tokyo had limited land, so houses were built compactly.
Land was limited, so stairs had to be compact, making them steeper than modern stairs.
Yes, you are welcome to take photos and enjoy the atmosphere of this traditional Japanese house.
Yes. Please remove your shoes before entering tatami rooms.
Samurai Ajito
Samurai Studio ICHI
3-minute walk from Tsukishima Station.
2-15-3 Tsukuda, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0051, Japan
A small traditional house hidden in a Tokyo alley.
Experience Tokyo life 100 years ago.
Please make your reservation using the form below.