Traditional Yamaju House Cultural Heritage Seminar

The old Yamaju House is located along an old road in the Nakatsu-Kumasaka area of the town, which has been selected as one of the "100 Best Townscapes of Kanagawa" and retains its traditional appearance. The Yamaju House is an example of the residence of wealthy farmers in this region in the early Meiji period, and Aikawa Town restored and preserved the building and gardens to preserve them for future generations. In January 2009, the house was designated a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property.

Built in 1883, this is the residence of Kumasaka Hanbei, a wealthy farmer in the Nakatsu area. "Yamaju" is the family name of the Kumasaka family. It has a tiled roof and a gabled roof, and includes a large hall with tatami-floored décor. The six-room layout faces west, with a dirt floor to the south and six rooms to the north. The building is constructed of zelkova wood, with the main pillar approximately 50 centimeters square and the upper level made of a single piece of wood approximately 62 centimeters wide and 713 centimeters long. In 1944, the house became the property of the philosopher Okawa Shumei. After his death, it passed through other owners before becoming town property in 1988. After undergoing some restoration, it has been open to the public since 1989.