Living room
People ate here, under the protective gaze of the mini shrine.
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.
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.
Special gallery
The current owner’s collection is on display in
the adjacent stone storehouse.
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
The roof is gently curved, which is very rare in Hokkaido. It was hand built by specialist carpenters.
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
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
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
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
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)
Esashi Folding Screen
Drawn by Teiryo Kodama, the Matsumae Clan’s artist in residence.
Ainu horizontal scroll
Drawn by Teiryo Kodama, this depicts the lifestyle and ceremonies of the Ainu people.
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
| 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. |
