Japan’s first winery to be leased for ¥4.62 million a month
Ushiku City in Ibaraki has agreed to lease a historic winery for 4,620,000 Yen (approx. 42,000 USD) per month. Ushiku Chateau (formerly Chateau Kamiya) was opened in 1903 by Denbe Kamiya (1856-1922) and was Japan’s first winery. In more recent years the winery was receiving as many as 400,000 visitors a year when it was open to the public. It closed last year, prompting locals to lobby the city to find a public use for the property.
Historic Harajuku Station building to be demolished
On November 19, JR-East announced that they will be demolishing the historic Harajuku Station building after the 2020 Summer Olympics. Built in 1924, this is the oldest surviving wooden station building in Tokyo.
100-yr old building to be converted into hotel
Heiwa Real Estate is in the process of converting a 100-year old office building in Nihonbashi into a small luxury hotel. The new hotel is scheduled to open next February.
Jiro Osaragi’s former residence in Kamakura on the market
On October 9, the Kanagawa Shimbun newspaper reported that the former residence of author Jiro Osaragi (1897-1973) in Kamakura is for sale. The 100-year old traditional thatched roof house is designated by the city as an important scenic structure. The owners are hoping to find a buyer that will continue to preserve the culturally significant and historic home.
160-yr old home to be donated to city
The owner of a home near Lake Biwa is donating the property to Nagahama City. The Shimosaka Residence was built in the mid-1800s, while the earthen embankments and canals within the property are thought to date from the 1400 ~ 1500s. The property also includes a family Buddhist temple dating from the 1700s.
Nara soy-sauce brewery to become boutique hotel
Nara-based Nanto Bank has set up a 1.5 billion Yen (approx. US$14 million) fund that will restore historic kominkas and convert them into tourist accommodation. Nara Kominka Machitsukuri Partners will start operations next month. The first project is a soy sauce brewery founded in the Edo period. The former storehouse will be converted into overnight accommodation.
City to buy house designed by Arata Isozaki
Katsuyama City in Fukui Prefecture will be acquiring a home designed by Pritzker Prize-winner Arata Isozaki. The two-story concrete 'S Residence' has a total floor area of 142 sqm (1,528 sq.ft) and was built in 1986.