Kyu Soma-tei
Kyu Soma-tei
4.5
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
99 reviews
Excellent
55
Very good
29
Average
14
Poor
1
Terrible
0
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HenningSchmidt
Hannover, Germany117 contributions
Jun 2021 • Solo
A gem not too miss when in Hakodate. This former merchant home is unique in many ways snd definitely worth a visit. The architecture and interior design is rarely to be seen in such a good condition. The staff is friendly and dedicated to explain details to foreigners and there is an english audioguide included in entrance fee.
Written July 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew1234
Doylestown, PA574 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
Soumatei is a noteworthy destination located in Hakodate's Motomachi neighborhood. The house was built by a wealthy merchant, whose family occupied it for several generations. It features an interesting mix of oriental and occidental styles and influences. The furnishings, finishes, and gardens are beautiful. An English-language audio guide provides useful information at each of the dozen stops in the house. The staff is kind and helpful. IMO -- well worth the ¥800 admission fee (and parking is included) for the glimpse it provides of Hakodate's heyday period!
Written August 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Get2013
London50 contributions
Oct 2015 • Solo
I hadn't seen this on Tripadvisor and it isn't included in the Lonely Planet guide, so I stumbled across this by accident, and am so glad I did. I found this one of the most beautiful and interesting Japanese houses I have visited in my five weeks in Japan. It's not as old as others, yet the intricate detail on the design and finish is amazing. The audio guide is really informative highlighting aspects you might miss and giving an insight into the owner and Hakodate life.
It seems a bit expensive at 800 yen by comparison to other sites, yet worth every yen, and one of my highlights of a few days in the city.
It seems a bit expensive at 800 yen by comparison to other sites, yet worth every yen, and one of my highlights of a few days in the city.
Written October 29, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James B
Tokyo, Japan11 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
Like a previous reviewer, I almost walked right past this house as I was following my guidebook to the Former British Consulate building just down the hill. I'm glad I decided to stop for a look here! Staff were friendly and VERY eager to set me up with the English-language audio guide which, besides providing a running commentary on the house and its former owner, also served as a helpful crash-course in Hakodate history. There is an interesting juxtaposition of traditional Japanese architecture with Western influences throughout the house, but I especially enjoyed the elegant garden and imposing "kura" storehouse next to the main building, which has been turned into a gallery where you'll find an amazing eight-meter scroll depicting the lives of the indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido. There is a small cafe between the two buildings. Entrance fee of 800 yen is a bit steep, but I definitely recommend this place if you are interested in history or architecture.
Written May 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pmah78
Northallerton, UK37 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
This was my second visit to the Soma House and I enjoyed it just as much this time as the first time. The staff are very welcoming, nothing is too much trouble to make your visit informative and enjoyable. The English audio guide is excellent, giving enough information to be interesting and instructive, without being overwhelming or too time consuming. The house itself is really interesting and quite beautiful. It is fascinating to see the conveniences provided by the owner with a view to impressing his Western guests, in contrast with the more simple conditions he expected his own family to live with. This is the only place I have visited with uranium glass door handles. The exhibition of paintings is delightful too. Some coffee is provided at the end of the visit.
Pop next door to the former British Consulate if you would like afternoon tea and a rose garden.
Pop next door to the former British Consulate if you would like afternoon tea and a rose garden.
Written July 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much
I expect to meet you again
It's the hot climate,please pay attention healthily
director Shinji Higashide 7/20
Written July 20, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
terramurie
Seoul, South Korea102 contributions
Apr 2017 • Solo
This was a great place to see. It's a former residence belonging to a prominent businessman. It was really interesting to see how the rich lived back then, and to see the differences in the Japanese and Western room. There is also a small gallery in the storeroom. The garden in the back of the house was small, but very tranquil. I almost skipped this place, but I didn't. This actually turned out to be one of my favourite sights in Hakodate -- it was like a hidden gem!
Written July 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for praise. The residence is protected by our civilians. I hope see someday. Thank you very much agein.
Written July 4, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
茎沢直子
Hakodate, Japan25 contributions
Oct 2015 • Family
The person who takes an interest in Japanese construction drop in at KYU SOMATEI by all means, please.
This building has history very much. I was enchanted, too.
This building has history very much. I was enchanted, too.
Written March 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruth38915
London, UK14 contributions
Sep 2019
We knew very little about the Soma residence, but came across it on our way to Motomachi Park. Previously, when I’ve visited restored Japanese houses, they have been empty with little by way of English explanation. This house is an interesting mix of foreign and Japanese and the rooms contain some furniture. Best of all, there is a really helpful audio guide which gives the history of the house and family and explains the lengths the owner went to to honour his guests. The storeroom is a gallery displaying an interesting selection of period art works.
Written September 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for visiting in old Aiba family housing housing.
A building was designated as a national important cultural asset in December, 2018.
English, Chinese and Korean are even, and the sound equipment is very popular.
It's being wished that it's good travel.
kyusoumake shinji Higashide
Written October 3, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
yokomori
Harumi, Japan1,444 contributions
Jun 2024 • Friends
This mansion is a nationally designated important cultural property located in the Hakodate City Traditional Buildings Preservation District. Unfortunately, we were not able to view the inside of the house due to its closure, but we could still appreciate its splendor from the outside.
Written June 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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