Travel back in time to this Meiji-era house located on the banks of the Asahi River.

 

House view from the highway

 

Remember the days when ferry boats transported goods to/from Okayama and Tsuyama, passing by the town of Takebe, which was the middle road then.

 

canoe on Asahi River 

 

Built in 1911, this house played a role in that glorious past ~ welcoming passengers and merchants on the Takase trading boats traveling between both cities.

 

The canoes can still be seen by the river today (a number of them behind the house), a testament to the town’s rich history.

Building that docked canoes in the past 

 

The area itself is quite beautiful in any season of the year – the landscape turns golden brown and red during autumn and the sakura cherry trees lining the riverbank bloom magnificently in spring.

Cherry Trees lining the riverbank

 

JR Tsuyama Line – Asahi river

 

Asahi River scenery

 

The owners have taken care to preserve the legacy of the 1911 House.

While the house was recently renovated and is available for guests to stay and visit, the traditional architectural structure and design with tatami flooring has been maintained.

Room

Room

 

Hallway

 

Stairs going up

 

Stairs to 2nd floor

 

 

2nd floor

 

Wood Sculpture

 

Be amazed by the unique beam construction – solid wood timber frames (cypress, cryptomeria and pine) joined together using no nails or metal fasteners, a method known as kanawatsugi (金輪継).

Stairs and solid wood beams

 

Walls and Beams

 

Appreciate the Japanese stucco walls made out of rice straw, sand, earth and clay (wara-juraku わら聚楽)  –  proven to enhance circulation, metabolism as well as purify the air.

Solid wood construction

 

Looking up at the ceiling, one cannot help but admire the skill of the miyadaiku (宮大工), Japanese carpenter-artisans who build and maintain properties like shrines and temples, and also traditional homes.

Beams

 

The garden at the back leads out to the scenic Asahi river. A perfect spot to relax on a busy day, ponder life, drink a cup of coffee or two, and perhaps even do a picnic or barbeque.

Back entrance leading to the river

 

Asahi River scenery

 

Entrance from the back

 

Back view of the house

 

Relaxing by the garden

 

Catch the rare sight of fireflies dancing by the river on summer evenings, their mysterious and ethereal glow lending a mystical, almost transcendental aura to the place.

On a clear night, gaze up at the sky and be fascinated as the stars come by

 

Star-gazing at night

 

With modern amenities, a full bath and kitchen, the 1911 House is perfect for an overnight trip from the city, or even as a base to explore northern Okayama and Tottori.

 

The 1911 House is right by the highway for easy access, and is a mere 35 minute-ride from JR Okayama Station.

 

A supermarket, coffee roastery, pizza parlor, as well as a yogurt factory, fish observation center and one of the prefecture’s largest onsen hot springs, are all within walking distance.

 

Local Coffee Roastery

 

All these make the 1911 House a wonderful place to spend the night or even a week or two.

 

Takebe Town – winter

 

The Bridge of Happiness (幸せ橋)

 

Savor the beauty of nature and the countryside while being a stone’s throw away from the city center at ~ The 1911 House.

 

Video- The 1911 House 

 

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Address:

947 Fukuwatari, Takebe-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama, Okayama Prefecture, 709-3111

 

Access:

Train
• 8 minutes on foot from Fukuwatari Station (JR Tsuyama line)
• 35 minutes from Okayama Station (via rapid train)

Car / Self-drive
• 25 minutes from Momotaro International Airport (Okayama) – via Route 53, 61 or 72 on the national highway
• 45 minutes’ drive from Okayama City, on Route 53 on the national highway (Okayama Interchange)

 

Business Hours:

24 hours online booking and support, 9:00 – 21:00 (reservation reception)
Check-in time:16:00 – 21:00 (4pm – 9pm), Check-out time: 10:00 (on/before 10am)

 

Admission: 

Rates vary depending on the season

 

Other Information:
Free parking available at the back of the house, by the riverfront

Interesting places nearby (10-15 minutes’ walk from the house):

・Yahata Onsen Hot Spring
http://www.yahataonsen.jp/

・Takebe Yogurt Factory 
https://www.takebeyouguruto.com/

・Medaka Fish Center
https://www.city.okayama.jp/shisei/0000003486.html

・Sunny Day Coffee
http://www.sunnyday-coffee.com/

・Pizzeria Maruya
 https://pizzeriamaruya.business.site/

・Yamada Deli
https://r.gnavi.co.jp/n2fd7v990000/

 

Website / Contact details:

https://the-1911-house.business.site/

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/40854530

the1911house@gmail.com

 

Writer:CKS