What other travelers are saying about Home of a Diplomat (former Uchida Family Residence)
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
