Ichishima Residence pairs early-Meiji residential architecture with Shizukien, a strolling garden arranged around a broad pond. Come for the historic rooms, corridors and garden views, with the house and landscape sharing the spotlight.
Featured image: 柏木村民, photographed 7 January 2025; resized and converted to WebP / Wikimedia Commons Image source · CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Why visit
The residence offers a glimpse of a family rebuilding after upheaval. After the family home in Suibara was lost during the Boshin War, the seventh-generation head established this residence at Tenno. Much of the complex represents early-Meiji residential architecture, and twelve structures were designated prefectural cultural properties in 1962. That history gives the buildings a context beyond their garden setting.
Plan your visit
The address is 1563 Tenno, Shibata. For a car-based visit, the city gives an approximate journey of 15 minutes from JR Shibata Station, with parking for 25 ordinary vehicles and five large buses. Treat that figure as a general local access estimate, not a timed connection or a Tokyo round-trip plan. Use it to orient your arrival rather than build a tightly scheduled journey around it.
Make the most of your visit
Try looking at how the garden is framed by the historic rooms and corridors, rather than treating it simply as a separate attraction. Shizukien’s broad pond, trees and poem monuments offer different details to notice. Follow the current visitor route and let the available views shape your visit; there is no need to turn it into a room-by-room checklist.
Planning notes
Visitor information checked on 19 October 2026 lists opening hours of 10:00–16:00, with final reception at 15:30. The residence closes on Wednesdays, or the following day when Wednesday is a public holiday, and from 29 December through 3 January.
Individual admission is 630 yen for adults and 320 yen for elementary and junior-high pupils. Group rates apply to parties of 20 or more. Admission is free with the qualifying disability documentation listed by the city; check the applicable documentation before relying on that exemption.
Practical information
History
History: After the family home in Suibara was lost during the Boshin War, the seventh-generation head established this residence at Tenno. Much of the complex represents early-Meiji residential architecture. Twelve structures were designated prefectural cultural properties in 1962.
Information as of .
Highlights
Highlights: The Shizukien strolling garden surrounds a broad pond with trees and poem monuments. Historic rooms, corridors and garden views are the main appeal; follow the current visitor route.
Information as of .
Opening hours
Opening hours are 10:00–16:00, with final reception at 15:30.
Information as of .
Closures and restrictions
Closed Wednesdays, or the following day when Wednesday is a public holiday, and 29 December through 3 January.
Information as of .
Price
Individual admission is 630 yen for adults and 320 yen for elementary/junior-high pupils. Group rates apply to parties of 20 or more; admission is free with the qualifying disability documentation listed by the city.
Information as of .
Access
Address: 1563 Tenno, Shibata. The city gives about 15 minutes by car from JR Shibata Station and parking for 25 ordinary vehicles and five large buses. This is a general access estimate, not a timed Tokyo round trip.
Information as of .
Useful links
Shibata City Ichishima Residence
Information based on checks dated 2026-10-19.
For another perspective on the area, read our Shibata Castle guide and explore more Niigata travel guides.