Showa’s best, still shining 44 years later

Usually when one thinks of a traditional Japanese homestead, they picture a 140 year old farmhouse surrounded by rice fields. Unfortunately, this neglects the reality that homes of such age are few and their condition is usually not livable, and also negates the reality that a lot of Japan’s finest move-in ready homesteads are actually of more recent vintage.

This house is a prime example. Built in 1979, as the residence of a prominent local dentist, this house has all of the charms and craftsmanship of a home 3x its age. During Japan’s economic boom the money flowed, and people of means in rural areas often made a point of building a stately Japanese or Western-style home to celebrate their success.

Well kept since the matron moved into assisted living 3 years ago, this house features well-kept Japanese trees and shrubs, the hallmark of a notable Japanese homestead, and has enough land for the gentleman farmer.

Now being sold by the family’s son, who has followed in his family’s footsteps and continues to operate the local dentist’s office, this house is a smart acquisition for anyone looking to preserve Japan’s postwar Showa architectural heritage.