Maeda House Tokyo in Color: A Photography & Visitor’s Guide
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. Ultimately, I believed that photographing it in black and white was the best approach. But I knew one day I would shoot in color. And that is what I did this time.
From monochrome memories to vibrant reality
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. The shift to color reveals a different, vibrant world.
While my monochrome shots captured the home’s elegant bones, they couldn’t prepare you for the sheer boldness of the Marquise’s Room. It is drenched in a deep, almost audacious, royal purple.
Craftsmanship and history of the Maeda House
How did the house look 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 was probably a trendsetter in the early days of modern Tokyo.
The craftsmanship in the building is incredible. The wood and metalwork are of the highest class. You might be surprised to know that many interior fittings came from England. “Made in Britain” was all the rage in those days. Do you know the lions in front of the Mitsukoshi Department Store in Nihonbashi? They were imported too. But that’s how things worked at that time.
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.
Photographing the Maeda House: Inside and out
The exterior of the house is underwhelming. The brick walls are light brown with a green-tiled roof. It’s in complete contrast to the interior. It’s drab. Spring’s cherry blossoms should brighten things up. Photographers will love that.
Take along a wide angle for the smaller rooms. A short zoom (24-50) should cover everything else at the Maeda House.
Plan your visit to the Maeda House
Where is the Maeda House?
The house is 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. That’s close to Shibuya.
Opening hours
- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- 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 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
Special rules
- Shoes and bare feet are prohibited inside, 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. It’s another destination that shows how the rich and famous once lived.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has photographed Tokyo since 2011. He shoots it with his Canon EOS R5. The project will take more than one lifetime to complete.
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External related websites
- Maeda House (official website [in Japanese])