Copyright © 2024 Tokyo in Pics | Powered by Tokyo in Pics
The beautiful Maeda House in color
The Maeda House was a major find for me in early 2020. I thought it was one of Tokyo’s most impressive historical buildings on that first visit. In the end, I believed photographing it in black and white was the best thing to do. But I knew one day I would shoot in color. And that is what I did this time.
Have you seen my older article about the Maeda House? With those monochrome pictures, you couldn’t see the true interior. You could only guess or assume. Now you can see how it is. It is colorful! In some rooms, gaudy might be the correct word. I’m mainly talking of the Marquise’s Room decked out in purple.
I wonder how the house looked in its heyday? Were the furniture and fittings equally as colorful? And then there were the occupants of the house. How did they fit into the scheme of things? This place might have been quite the trendsetter in the early days of modern Tokyo.
The craftsmanship in the building is incredible. Both the wood and metalwork are of the highest class. You might be surprised to know many of the interior fittings came from England. Made in Britain was all the rage in those days. Another example is the lions in front of the Mitsukoshi Department Store in Nihonbashi. Yep, they were imported too. But that’s how things worked in those days.
The next time I go should be in spring. When the cherry blossoms outside bloom, the Maeda House should be stunning. There are a lot of trees outside, and they will probably transform the area.
If there is one part of the house which is a little underwhelming, it is the exterior. It has light brown brick walls with a green-tiled roof. Compared to the interior, it looks a little drab. The cherry blossoms will change that. I can’t wait to see it.
As for the lenses used in this article, I used the Fujifilm 10-24 mm and the 16-55 mm. Even though the house is large, many rooms are pretty small. A wide-angle is necessary in this place.
Where is the Maeda House?
The house is located in Komaba Park.
Address: 4-3-55 Komaba, Meguro City, Tokyo
The English address doesn’t seem to work in Google Maps so copy and paste this Japanese one, 東京都目黒区駒場4-3-55.
Here it is on a Google map:
Closest train station:
Komaba-Todaimae on the Keio-Inokashira Line.
Opening hours
- 9 AM to 4 PM
- The house closes from December 27 to January 4. It also closes for events throughout the year, so telephone to check before going.
Admission costs
None
Guided Tours
Yes, the house has them but only in Japanese. They are held at 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 AM, and 2:30 PM.
Special Rules
- Shoes are prohibited inside. Barefoot is also forbidden, so wear socks or stockings.
- The Maeda House is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. It can’t be replaced if damaged so be careful not to touch doors, curtains, etc. That will help to reduce wear and tear.
Conclusion
With its history and architecture, it’s a great Tokyo photo spot. Have you been to the Maeda House? I’d love to hear your thoughts, especially if you have photographed it. Click here to see it in black and white. Leave questions and comments below.
External related websites:
- Maeda House (official website (in Japanese))