The 320-Year-Old Japanese Heritage Shoya House: A Remarkable Glimpse into 18th-Century Rural Japanese Life During the Edo Period 1700s (Video)NEW

The Oldest Japanese House in California. 
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in California are unveiling a remarkable glimpse into 18th-century rural Japanese life with the Japanese Heritage Shōya House, opening on October 21, 2023.

After Three Centuries, Historic Residence and Compound Moved to California from Marugame, Japan.
This 3,000-square-foot house, originally from Marugame, Japan, was the center of village life and has been meticulously reconstructed on a 2-acre site. Visitors can explore the house, showcasing daily life from three centuries ago.

Los Angeles residents Yohko and Akira Yokoi generously offered this historic family home to The Huntington in 2016, and since 2019, artisans from Japan and local experts have worked diligently to recreate the house's traditional wood and stonework, roof tiles, and plaster work.

This immersive experience emphasizes sustainability, showcasing an Edo period model of permaculture and regenerative agriculture. It highlights how the 18th-century Japanese village maintained a harmonious relationship between people and nature, focusing on reducing waste and reusing items.

The compound, located near The Huntington's historic Japanese Garden, offers a fully immersive experience, including a visit to a formal gatehouse, a courtyard for events and crop drying, and a glimpse into the house's various rooms, from official spaces to private family areas. Visitors will also learn about Japanese carpentry and traditional construction techniques.

Overall, this unique attraction brings history and sustainability to life, offering a captivating journey into rural Japanese life from centuries past. Don't miss the chance to explore this extraordinary cultural treasure. The Shōya House will be open from noon to 4 p.m.

Date
Oct 21, 2023 - Public Opening

Opening Hours (Double Check Times)
Important note: The Shōya House will be open from noon to 4 pm

Latest Update

About the Compound
The compound occupies a recently developed area along the north end of The Huntington’s historic Japanese Garden. While the garden has featured an iconic Japanese House for the last 100 years, this new structure and surrounding elements will provide visitors with a fully immersive experience, allowing them to walk through it and learn about 18th-century rural Japanese life.

Compound Major Features
• House (originally built around 1700; restored with new elements in 2020-23)
• Gatehouse (replica based on original design)
• Courtyard
• Agricultural fields
• Kitchen garden
• Inner courtyard with a pond
• Irrigation canal

Plan Your Visit

About The Huntington 
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens is a cultural and educational institution of global significance. Building on Henry E. and Arabella Huntington’s renowned collections, The Huntington supports research and promotes education in the arts, humanities, and botanical science through the growth and preservation of its collections; the development of a community of scholars, school programs, and partnerships; and the display and interpretation of its extraordinary resources for diverse audiences. The Huntington is located at 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, California, 12 miles from downtown Los Angeles. 

Location
Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens