Furukawa Teien Western-style garden (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Japan)

In the northern district of central Tokyo, on a quiet, tree-lined hilltop, a historic residence with Scottish-inspired architecture, rose gardens and traditional Japanese features stands high inviting visitors to step back in time.

When I visited the Former Furukawa Residence, I was struck by its unique setting, shaped by a remarkable blend of Eastern and Western culture.

Furukawa Teien (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Japan)

According to a handout I received at the entrance, the residence was built in 1917 by Toranosuke Furukawa (1887–1940), the third president of the Furukawa Conglomerate.

While the main building and Western-style garden were designed by British architect Josiah Conder, the traditional Japanese garden was created by Ogawa Jihei, a master gardener from Kyoto. Through a harmonious combination of traditional techniques and modern construction methods, the estate stands as an outstanding example of the successful integration of Japanese and Western aesthetics. Because it is one of the few modern-era gardens preserved in exceptionally good condition, the residence was designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 2006.

Furukawa Teien Western-style garden (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Japan)

Upon entering through its Renaissance-style façade, visitors will see the western-style rooms which were intended for receiving guests. Upstairs, the rooms were constructed in traditional Japanese style. I have hardly ever seen such unique hybrid-style buildings in a contemporary modern building. According to the handout, the style was very unusual even at the time, and the seamless coexistence of these cultural elements remains one of the mansion’s most distinctive charms.

When I passed ornate fireplaces then stepped into the main hall and waiting room, I saw some visitors were enjoying tea before large, mullioned windows. With a reservation, you can also enjoy tea and sweets in the beautiful main and dining halls.

Remember that photography is not permitted inside the building.

The unique coexistence of Eastern and Western styles spreads to the exterior of the residence, where Western-style rose gardens and a traditional Japanese garden spread throughout. I enjoyed walking along the path with traditional tea house and a stone bridge over a pond framed by large gray rocks, before taking the stone stairway up to the stretching French-style rose garden.

Furukawa Teien Japanese-style garden (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Japan)

Furukawa Teien Western-style garden (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Japan)

Although it is not yet rose season, the garden with its beautifully-arranged landscaping and stone monument made me feel as though I had traveled between the East and the West of the century-old world.

After World War II, the property was confiscated by the Allied Forces and used as British bachelor officers’ quarters for six years before it remained unused for about 30 years. The residence was restored by Otani Art Museum and Tokyo Metropolitan in the 1980s and was reopened to the public in 1989, according to the handout.

The quiet yet elegant historic residence is a nice place to spend a few hours exploring while in northern Tokyo.

Former Furukawa Residence