Watanabe-Tei

Historical Monument
Watanabe-Tei is the former residence of the first generation of the Watanabe family, who was vassal to the Murakami feudal lord. Watanabe passed on the family estate to his son and in 1667 moved here to what is now Sekikawa Village in Iwafune County, Niigata Prefecture. The house is the residence of a wealthy farmer with the main building constructed in a unique fashion with six storehouses, and a circuit style garden in the more than 100,000 square meter grounds. The main building and the storehouses have been designated as National Important Cultural Properties and the garden a National Place of Scenic Beauty. During the Great Heisei Repairs (a nationwide effort to restore old buildings to their ancient appearance), Watanabe-Tei was restored to its former Edo period glory and is now open to the public. There is a tea house in the grounds which offers matcha green tea and coffee. The nearest station is Echigo-Shimoseki Station.

Spot details

Address
Nigata Pref. Iwafunegunsekikawamura Shimoseki 904 map map Map
Phone
0254641002
Hours
9:00-16:00
Closed
New Year's Holiday
Fees
[Admission fee to view]Adults600yen, Children250yen, Pre-schoolersFree
Parking Lot
Available
Credit Card
Not available
Smoking
Not available
Wi-Fi
Not available
English Menu
Available (brief brochure Available)
Can be enjoyed even on a rainy day
Yes
Average budget
[Lunch] 1-1,000yen
Estimated stay time
30-60 minutes
Wheelchair accessible
Available (only available during Saturday)
Infant friendly
Available
Pet friendly
Possible (accompanied by carry case or holding)

Information Sources:  NAVITIME JAPAN

Review

  • 往年の威勢が伝わってきます
    5.0 Reviewed : 2021.06.23
    JR米坂線「越後下関」駅から徒歩5分ほど。渡辺家は荒川を利用した廻船業や酒造業で財を成し、上杉鷹山の米沢藩藩政改革にも協力したという豪商で大地主。米沢藩から勘定奉行格の待遇を受けた武家としての側面も持つそう。堀を巡らせた広大な外観からも往年の威勢が伝わってきます。屋敷内は商家としての作業空間だったのか太い梁が通った広い土間と板敷の広間、武家屋敷のような畳敷きの居住空間に分かれてます。なかなか...
  • 規模と造作の見事さに圧倒された!
    5.0 Reviewed : 2020.08.15
    前日宿泊した笹川流れから、栃木の自宅に戻る道すがら、立ち寄ったのが関川村の渡邉邸。あまり期待もせずに訪ねたが、その邸のスケールや作りの見事さに圧倒された。舟運の最終地点で米沢街道の要衝だった関川村は明治期まで栄えたそうだが、渡邉家は酒造業・廻船業に始まり、大名貸しや新田開発で財を成した豪商・豪農。屋内に入って驚くのは、吹き抜け空間の広さと長い土間。がっちりと太い梁が印象的だ。豪壮剛健な土間側の部...
  • 重要文化財
    4.0 Reviewed : 2019.08.26
    時間があったので訪れました。歴史などにあまり詳しくなくても、ガイドさんがちょうどガイドしてくれるタイミングだと、ガイドしていただけます。庭園がとても綺麗で印象的でした。

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