THE OLD SOUMA HOUSE

This special Japanese wooden building, now a century old, is part of Hakodate City’s heritage building register.
The brilliant architecture and materials have lost none of their original impact. It was built by local merchant Teppei Souma, who supported the development of Hakodate. This was his private residence. He was born in 1833 and came to Hakodate with the dream of becoming successful. He traded rice and seafood,and started a bank thus making his fortune. He wanted to support Hakodate so he donated lots to public works. Please enjoy this building; you can feel the Japanese spirit here.

THE OLD SOUMA HOUSE

INSIDE THE HOUSE

There are many rooms which were built by master craftsmen, for example the European room and main room.
They tell us the lifestyle of a wealthy merchant of a century ago.
The second floor looks over the city, the port and the former British Consulate.

Living room

Living room

People ate here, under the protective gaze of the mini shrine.

Special gallery

Special gallery

The current owner’s collection is on display in
the adjacent stone storehouse.

Cafe

Cafe

Fresh roast coffee, matcha and aronia ice-cream.
You can also enjoy a special lunch box made by Hakodate’s most famous sukiyaki restaurant (by reservation only).

THE OLD SOUMA HOUSE ARCHITECTURE GUIDE

Front entrance

Front entrance

The roof is gently curved, which is very rare in Hokkaido. It was hand built by specialist carpenters.

Tokonoma

Tokonoma

This 15-tatami-mat room was used as a dining room for special guests as well as for family events.
The tokonoma is made of Japanese cypress, rosewood, cedar, ebony and zelkova (elm).
Its purpose is to display scrolls and ikebana.

Tsukeshoin

Tsukeshoin

This feature, typically located next to the tokonoma, provides light for the room.
The wooden ranma has a number of phoenixes.
The paper screen, also hand-made, has a fine wooden frame.

Outside the European room

Outside the European room

This is a formal room for receiving special guests.
The finely decorated window frames, corners and eaves were also made by specialist craftsmen.

European room

European room

This room, with exquisite wall and ceiling decorations, is in the same style as the nearby Old City Hall, which Teppei Souma built for Hakodate City.

The back veranda

The back veranda

You can see the slight imperfections in the original glass panes as you walk along. The glass walls encourage us to appreciate the four seasons.

Historical collection from EZO (Hokkaido)

Historical collection from EZO (Hokkaido)

Esashi Folding Screen

Esashi Folding Screen

Drawn by Teiryo Kodama, the Matsumae Clan’s artist in residence.

Esashi Folding Screen
Ainu horizontal scroll

Ainu horizontal scroll

Drawn by Teiryo Kodama, this depicts the lifestyle and ceremonies of the Ainu people.

INFORMATION

INFORMATION

Opening Hours April & November    10:00~16:00
May ~ October      9:30~16:30
Holidays Every Thursday and December 1 ~ March 31
Entrance Fee Adult       April - October 800yen / After November 1,000yen
High-school student        500yen
Junior high student and below   300yen
Address Motomachi 33-2, Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan 040-0054
Fax enquiries in English are welcome:
ph (81) 138 26 1560 fx (81) 138 26 1646
Teppei Souma the first generation

Teppei Souma
the first generation

1833 0 Born in Niigata Prefecture.
1861 28 Came to Hakodate. Live-in worker for a company.
1864 30 Opened a rice shop from his savings.
1872 39 Founded a bank, became Hokkaido’s most successful merchant.
1908 75 Donated almost all of the funds required to rebuild Old City Hall
which was destroyed in a massive fire.
1912 79 Became the CEO of the local government bank.
1918 85 Was selected to join Japan’s House of Peers.
1921 88 Passed away. Buried in the Koryu Temple near the Foreign Cemetery.