What other travelers are saying about Chofu Mori Residence
“Drink matcha and relax. 🍵”
That simple phrase perfectly captures my experience at the Mori Residence in Chōfu.
I visited in late March—just a bit too early to see the cherry trees in full bloom.
But as I stepped into the tea room inside the residence,
I was greeted by soft pink blossoms framed through the window, gently brushing away any lingering worries.
Sitting on the tatami floor, I let my tired legs rest.
I ordered a bowl of matcha and enjoyed a quiet tea time, letting the stillness of the moment sink in.
Afterward, I strolled slowly through the residence and garden.
Though I had only about 40 minutes before closing,
thanks to the blossoms and the tea, time seemed to slow down—
and somehow, everything felt just right.
Frequently Asked Questions
A typical visit takes 45 minutes to 1 hour to see the interior rooms, artifacts, and garden. Visitors interested in a more detailed exploration may spend up to 90 minutes.
The traditional architecture includes elevated floors, steps, and uneven garden paths, making wheelchair access difficult. Modern accessibility features are limited due to the historic nature of the building. Contact the residence in advance regarding specific accessibility needs.
Spring (late March to early April) features cherry blossoms, while autumn (mid-November to early December) offers colorful maple foliage. Summer provides green landscapes and winter has fewer crowds.
The interior features preserved tatami rooms with period furnishings, samurai artifacts including armor and swords, calligraphy, household objects, and architectural elements such as ranma transoms and traditional alcoves. The 2,300 square meter property includes multiple buildings and a Japanese garden with a pond, rocks, and seasonal plantings.
Yes, the residence can be visited on a day trip from Fukuoka (approximately 90 minutes by train) or Hiroshima (approximately 2 hours by train) via Shimonoseki. It can be combined with other Shimonoseki attractions such as Akama Shrine or the Kanmon Straits area.
This old traditional house which was built in the early 20th century is awesome. We didn’t expect that much before we decided to go in and have a look. Judging by a glimpse of outside this old Japanese house is way far from anything luxurious despite of the fact the owner of the house was a landlord in the local.
However once you stepped in the house you would be amazed of the true beauty of Japanese traditional house style. The rooms with a tatami floor and those austere but elegant flower-shaped chandelier are fascinating.
There aren’t many furnitures in the room. But somehow the emptiness of the room makes you calm and peaceful and the garden looking through the window is beautiful enough to get your attention.
I would love to come and visit this place in the fall. It would be truly great to enjoy the beauty of the garden in autumn while I’m sipping a cup of green tea on the wooden floor.
Surprisingly I liked here than any other museums or Shrine. It’s a real traditional Japanese house and you can even get inside. Tatami floor, wooden floor corridor, glass door and backyard- all real. I personally enjoyed the squawking sound whenever I stepped on the wooden floor corridor and feeling ‘being in the house’. Moreover it’s not crowded.
The gardens and house are perfect for some quite contemplation. The staff are are also super friendly and very happy to leave you to your own devices as you look around.
