Kanaya Hotel History House
Kanaya Hotel History House
4.5
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Approx.400 year-old house originally built for samurai warriors. After the Meiji Restoration, the house was turned into Kanaya Cottage Inn in 1873, exclusively a place for foreigners to stay during their visit to Nikko. The founder, Zenichiro Kanaya relocated the business in 1893 to open Kanaya Hotel, Japan's first western-style resort hotel. Thereafter, the house was preserved for over 140 years. In 2014 it was registered as a nationally-designated cultural property and opened to the public under the name of Kanaya Hotel History House.
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4.5
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Hiroaki Kaneko
Tokyo, Japan5,290 contributions
Sep 2021
金谷ホテルの前身である金谷カッテージ・インは、現在歴史館として一般公開されている。
明治に入り、外国人向けの民宿として改築されたが、江戸時代の武家屋敷としての構造が随所に残されている。階としては2階建てであるものの、部屋によっては1階と2階の中間に位置したり、階段も複雑に配置されていたりと、さながら小規模な忍者屋敷のようであるが、いずれも家人や客を素早く逃がしたり外敵を攻撃するための構造の一つとなっている。
利用するには、隣接の金谷ホテルベーカリー カテッジイン・レストラン＆ベーカリーの会計で入館手続きを済ませる。指定の料金を支払うと入館のためのコインが渡され、指定の場所にコインを入れることで入館できる。館内は原則撮影禁止だが、建物の外や屋外からの撮影は許可されている。建物内の展示品は日本語だけでなく英語も併記されており、海外からの観光客も当時の面影を知ることが出来る。館内は土足厳禁であるため、入り口で靴を脱ぎ、スリッパに履き替える必要がある。
庭は苔むした日本庭園で、特に新緑の季節は青々とした緑に心を癒されるだろう。歴史館の目の前が幹線道路であるため車の往来が多いので、観光客の少ない平日に来ることをお勧めする。
The Kanaya Cottage Inn, the predecessor of the Kanaya Hotel, is now open to the public as a history museum.
It was rebuilt as a guest house for foreigners in the Meiji era, but the structure of the samurai residence from the Edo era is still preserved in many places. Although it's a two floor building, some rooms are located between the first and second floors, and the staircases are arranged in a complicated manner, making it look like a small-scale ninja house.
To use it, complete the admission procedures at the counter of the adjacent Kanaya Hotel Bakery Cottage Inn Restaurant & Bakery. When you pay the fee, you will be given a coin to enter the museum, and you can enter the museum by putting the coin into the designated place. As a general rule, photography is not allowed inside the museum, but you are allowed to take pictures from outside or outside the building. The exhibits inside the building are written in English as well as Japanese, so tourists from overseas can get a sense of what it was like back then. The museum does not allow visitors to wear shoes on the ground, so it's necessary to take off your shoes and change into slippers at the entrance.
The garden is a moss-covered Japanese garden, and especially during the season of fresh greenery, the lush greenery will soothe your soul. Since there is a main road right in front of the museum, there is a lot of traffic, so it is recommended to come on weekdays when there are fewer tourists.
明治に入り、外国人向けの民宿として改築されたが、江戸時代の武家屋敷としての構造が随所に残されている。階としては2階建てであるものの、部屋によっては1階と2階の中間に位置したり、階段も複雑に配置されていたりと、さながら小規模な忍者屋敷のようであるが、いずれも家人や客を素早く逃がしたり外敵を攻撃するための構造の一つとなっている。
利用するには、隣接の金谷ホテルベーカリー カテッジイン・レストラン＆ベーカリーの会計で入館手続きを済ませる。指定の料金を支払うと入館のためのコインが渡され、指定の場所にコインを入れることで入館できる。館内は原則撮影禁止だが、建物の外や屋外からの撮影は許可されている。建物内の展示品は日本語だけでなく英語も併記されており、海外からの観光客も当時の面影を知ることが出来る。館内は土足厳禁であるため、入り口で靴を脱ぎ、スリッパに履き替える必要がある。
庭は苔むした日本庭園で、特に新緑の季節は青々とした緑に心を癒されるだろう。歴史館の目の前が幹線道路であるため車の往来が多いので、観光客の少ない平日に来ることをお勧めする。
The Kanaya Cottage Inn, the predecessor of the Kanaya Hotel, is now open to the public as a history museum.
It was rebuilt as a guest house for foreigners in the Meiji era, but the structure of the samurai residence from the Edo era is still preserved in many places. Although it's a two floor building, some rooms are located between the first and second floors, and the staircases are arranged in a complicated manner, making it look like a small-scale ninja house.
To use it, complete the admission procedures at the counter of the adjacent Kanaya Hotel Bakery Cottage Inn Restaurant & Bakery. When you pay the fee, you will be given a coin to enter the museum, and you can enter the museum by putting the coin into the designated place. As a general rule, photography is not allowed inside the museum, but you are allowed to take pictures from outside or outside the building. The exhibits inside the building are written in English as well as Japanese, so tourists from overseas can get a sense of what it was like back then. The museum does not allow visitors to wear shoes on the ground, so it's necessary to take off your shoes and change into slippers at the entrance.
The garden is a moss-covered Japanese garden, and especially during the season of fresh greenery, the lush greenery will soothe your soul. Since there is a main road right in front of the museum, there is a lot of traffic, so it is recommended to come on weekdays when there are fewer tourists.
Written October 2, 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.
MacyMck
Edinburgh, UK28 contributions
May 2016 • Solo
I only noticed this site in passing - it's currently not listed in the Rough Guide or highlighted in the tourist office. I was lucky when I visited in that there was a fluent Japanese speaker form Canada who could interpret for me, as the guide's English is very limited. Even without this, though, I think I would have really enjoyed the visit.
This is the first hotel built in the area - extended from the original 18th century family home.
Almost the whole of the house is open to the public, kitchen, traditional bathroom, and visitors rooms. It's a great illustration of the dangers facing the 19th century japanese - nail free construction in case of earthquakes, low roofs so attackers can't raise their swords, wooden clappers in the kitchen in case of fire, double staircases for speedy exit in the event of fire, and secret walls.
I found it fascinating. Entry is through the restaurant built onto the side of museum. You need to buy a token for the turnstile at the restaurant's cash desk.
This is the first hotel built in the area - extended from the original 18th century family home.
Almost the whole of the house is open to the public, kitchen, traditional bathroom, and visitors rooms. It's a great illustration of the dangers facing the 19th century japanese - nail free construction in case of earthquakes, low roofs so attackers can't raise their swords, wooden clappers in the kitchen in case of fire, double staircases for speedy exit in the event of fire, and secret walls.
I found it fascinating. Entry is through the restaurant built onto the side of museum. You need to buy a token for the turnstile at the restaurant's cash desk.
Written May 14, 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.
AandPC
Bedford, UK17 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
This was an unexpected gem - really worth an hour, especially if you're at this end of town for botanical gardens or Imperial Villa. It's a well laid out and clearly labelled museum, and gives a feel for a beautiful classic Japanese house, as well as the experience of the first European travellers in Japan.The staff were very helpful, guiding you round, before you can then look at things again at leisure.
Written April 23, 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.
ebilove
Tokyo Prefecture, Japan380 contributions
Sep 2015 • Family
This is not an amusement park! It's real!! The main section of the house was built somewhere during the late Edo period(1603-1868) and was originally a residence for a "Samurai", a true Japanese warrior, and his family. The house was extended and enlarged in Meiji period, so the architectual structure of both Edo and Meiji period canbe seen.
Various Samurai style devices to protect the residence from invaders or intruders still remai in many parts of the house. It is very interesting to know that Smurai's house is an epitome of a castle!
Dr. J.C.Hepburn, an Amrican missonary ,stayed in this house in 1870 and made the way for Zenichiro Kanaya to start "Kanaya Cottege Inn" at this place for foreigners visiting Nikko until 1893. Later on, Zenichiro opens Kanaya Hotel, Japan's first western-style hotel in other location.
The garden is small but contains many aspects of what you would expect in a true Japanes garden. Bamboo, Maple, moss, small pond,waterfall,stone lantern,etc.etc. ....
Admisson fee is only 400yen/Adult. Very detailed guided tour is given in Japanese. Not certain if givn in other languages. English leaflets/brochure available. Located right next to Kanaya Bekary & restaurant.
Various Samurai style devices to protect the residence from invaders or intruders still remai in many parts of the house. It is very interesting to know that Smurai's house is an epitome of a castle!
Dr. J.C.Hepburn, an Amrican missonary ,stayed in this house in 1870 and made the way for Zenichiro Kanaya to start "Kanaya Cottege Inn" at this place for foreigners visiting Nikko until 1893. Later on, Zenichiro opens Kanaya Hotel, Japan's first western-style hotel in other location.
The garden is small but contains many aspects of what you would expect in a true Japanes garden. Bamboo, Maple, moss, small pond,waterfall,stone lantern,etc.etc. ....
Admisson fee is only 400yen/Adult. Very detailed guided tour is given in Japanese. Not certain if givn in other languages. English leaflets/brochure available. Located right next to Kanaya Bekary & restaurant.
Written September 6, 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.
Allan C
Adelaide, Australia342 contributions
Apr 2016
The House is a traditional Japanese House of wooden construction and is like an old Samurai residence.
This was where Zenichiro Kanaya offered Dr James C Hepburn, an American missionary, a place to stay and became the founder of the Kanaya Hotel.
This was where Zenichiro Kanaya offered Dr James C Hepburn, an American missionary, a place to stay and became the founder of the Kanaya Hotel.
Written April 28, 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.
BabyboomerWA
Dunsborough, Australia239 contributions
Nov 2022
KANAYA HOTEL HISTORY HOUSE WAS A HIGHLIGHT OF OUR TRIP TO NIKKO. Originally the Inn where the famous 1800's British traveller, writer and photographer Isabella Bird stayed at in 1878 with her guide Ito. The rooms they stayed in have been preserved as they were when they visited. The house was owned by a Samurai family who turned their house into an Inn when the Edo period passed and work dried up for Samurais. So it is a well preserved Samurai house with all the special features you would find in a Samurai home from Edo times, aimed at repelling and evading attacks by other Samurai. Well worth the small admission price! Note you get off at bus stop 10 on the public bus heading back and forth between Nikko township and Lake Chuzenji. Buses run regularly. There is also a small bakery next door to the house where you can buy breakfast or lunch.
Written December 21, 2022
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.
Global715255
Tokyo, Japan21,594 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
I love this place. It used to be a Samurai house, but Mr. Kanaya changed it to a cottage to welcome Westerners. The structure of the architecture is very unique. The garden is lovely with a lot of different flowers blooming each season. The ladies who show you around this small historical place is also lovely and making the experience of visiting there more memorable.
Written July 2, 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.
Geoviki
Denver, Colorado389 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
One of the original Edo-era buildings, and the first place in Nikko that foreigners could stay in after the opening of Japan to the West. Isabella Bird, the British adventurer, stayed here for a short time in 1878, and visiting here inspired me to read her fascinating journal of her trip from Nikko to Hokkaido.
The docents don't speak English but they try to convey their enthusiasm for the building and grounds as best they can.
The docents don't speak English but they try to convey their enthusiasm for the building and grounds as best they can.
Written June 27, 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.
lmeuskadi
Liege, Belgium3,849 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
The exhibits elegantly showcase the region's evolution over the years, offering fascinating insights into local culture and architecture. The superbly appointed themed rooms are a treat for history buffs. Every corner of the museum seems to be full of hidden treasures, creating an immersive experience that leaves a lasting impression.
Written November 15, 2023
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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