The site of the former villa of Kinmochi SAIONJI and the former residence of Shigeaki IKEDA

The site of the former villa of Kinmochi SAIONJI, an authentic English-style house used by Shigeaki IKEDA

This is the site of the villa of SAIONJI (1849-1940), born in Kyoto Prefecture, who became the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Education and twice served as Prime Minister, (12th and 14th).

IKEDA (1867-1950), born in Yamagata Prefecture, former Minister of Finance and Minister of Commerce and Industry, used the house as his residence.

On the recommendation of Hirofumi ITO, SAIONJI built a villa on the west side of Cangnamikaku in 1899.
IKEDA took over the villa from SAIONJI in 1917.

In 1932, IKEDA rebuilt the building in its present form following the Great Kanto Earthquake.
It is a sturdy reinforced concrete and partly wooden building in an authentic English-style.
Most of the building, including the garage, pump room and gate, remain as they were in IKEDA's time.
The matching western-style garden is planted with ivy, cedar and citrus trees.

The building has been selected as one of the 'Modern Masterpieces of Architecture of the Taisho and Showa Periods' by the Architectural Institute of Japan and one of the '100 Best Architectural Buildings in Kanagawa'.