Is there an admission fee to visit the Home of a Diplomat?

No, admission to both the Home of a Diplomat and the surrounding Yamate Italian Garden is completely free. Visitors can explore the historic residence and its preserved interiors at no cost.

Who was Sadatsuchi Uchida and why is this house historically significant?

Sadatsuchi Uchida was a diplomat of the Meiji Government who served as New York consul general. The house, built in 1908, represents his role in Japan's diplomatic relations during the crucial Meiji period when Japan was modernizing and engaging with Western powers. The residence showcases how Japan's diplomatic elite lived during this transformative era.

How do I get to the Home of a Diplomat from central Tokyo or Yokohama?

Take the JR Keihin-Tohoku Line or JR Negishi Line to Ishikawacho Station. From the south exit, it's a five-minute uphill walk to the Yamate Italian Garden where the residence is located. The house sits on a bluff in Yokohama's historic Yamate district.

Is the building wheelchair accessible?

The first floor of the Home of a Diplomat is wheelchair accessible, but the second floor may be difficult to access for visitors with mobility challenges. The surrounding Yamate Italian Garden pathways are generally accessible for wheelchair users.

What can I see inside the Home of a Diplomat?

Visitors can explore meticulously preserved period rooms including the dining room, reception room, study, and bedrooms that showcase Meiji-period living style. The building features American Victorian architecture designed by architect J.M. Gardiner, with gorgeous decorations characteristic of the era. There's also a resting space with scenic views overlooking the Italian Garden and Yokohama port.

Home of a Diplomat (former Uchida Family Residence), Yokohama

4.3 (588)Tourist AttractionPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

The Home of a Diplomat was built in 1908 in the Nanpeidai area of Shibuya, Tokyo, as the residence of Sadatsuchi Uchida, a diplomat of the Meiji Government. The building was designed by American architect J.M. Gardiner and represents one of Japan's finest examples of American Victorian architecture from the early 20th century.

The residence was relocated and restored to the Yamate Italian Garden in 1997 and now stands as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Sadatsuchi Uchida served as the New York consul general, making this residence historically significant as the home of a key figure in Japan's diplomatic relations during the Meiji period. The building is a two-story wooden structure with a penthouse and features gorgeous decorations characteristic of the Victorian era.

Visitors can explore period rooms including the dining room, reception room, study, and bedrooms that showcase the living style of the Meiji period. The meticulously preserved interiors offer insight into how Japan's diplomatic elite lived during a crucial period of modernization and international engagement. The building includes a resting space with views overlooking the Yamate Italian Garden, providing visitors with both historical context and scenic beauty.

The residence sits within the Yamate Italian Garden, part of Yokohama's historic foreign quarter that developed during the city's opening to international trade. The Victorian-style building stands on a bluff overlooking Yokohama, offering commanding views of the port city below. The location itself tells the story of Japan's transformation during the Meiji Restoration and its engagement with Western powers.

Access is via a five-minute walk from JR Ishikawacho Station on the Keihin-Tohoku Line. The site is also accessible via a five-minute uphill walk from Ishikawacho Station's south exit via JR Negishi Line. Admission is free for both the house and gardens. The first floor is wheelchair accessible, though the second floor may be difficult to access. The residence can be visited alongside other historic Western-style buildings in the Yamate district, creating a comprehensive tour of Yokohama's international heritage.

Home of a Diplomat (former Uchida Family Residence), Yokohama

4.3 (588)Tourist AttractionPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

Places & attractions near Home of a Diplomat (former Uchida Family Residence), Yokohama

Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum, Kanagawa

Yokohama Park

Tower Sky Garden

Places & attractions near Home of a Diplomat (former Uchida Family Residence), Yokohama

Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum, Kanagawa

Yokohama Park

Tower Sky Garden

Traveler reviews

Visited during the peak of the GW holidays and there still weren’t a lot of crowds! The place is a bit small but definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area and looking for something different. Entrance is free though they do close pretty early (5pm). It’s part of a Western building pilgrimage around Yokohama and they have stamps for each building which may be interesting to some (certainly was for me) so I’d recommend bringing your stamp book if you have it!

May 7, 2025

This is my favourite of the Western-style heritage buildings on the hill, probably due to my affection for stained glass and the Arts & Crafts style. The price is right (free), and on my most recent visit I was treated to spectacular music from a duo on violin and piano, which I'd assumed erroneously was recorded music at first, they were that good. The house itself is an attractive and interesting example of architecture of the era, and its setting is terrific, with a lovely garden and great view.