What other travelers are saying about Ohashi Family Residence
This incredible estate teaches you a lot about how the more wealthy people around the Edo period lived. One of the things I found most intriguing, was that the Ohashi family was allowed to own katana, despite them not being samurai.
The entrance fee was 550yen per adult with no waits. The entrance maybe hard to spot and the doors may be closed, but look for the sign and just open the door. You'll be greeted by a nice lady.
Wandering around was interesting and fun, but it would've been nice to have some explanations in each room (what was it and how it has been used, etc.).
I went there on a rainy day and there was almost no people visiting besides me.
I wish they had more english translations, otherwise this is a perfect visit to see what a wealthy Edo-era ( roughly early 17th to mid-19th century ) merchant's home looked like.
The family were once samurai until their ancestors fought for the losing side at the end of the warring-states period. They were living under a bridge, which gives them their name ( literally big bridge) , then they became successful rice merchants.
There are decorations everywhere , and almost every room has a view of a garden or some kind of nature. It's not perfect , but it tries to be faithful to how it looked historically, unlike the nearby Ohara home which is more of a museum. If you only want to visit one out of the two, I'd visit here.
The Ohashis' house is an exquisitely preserved merchant house that is very much worth the visit to see how a rich family lived in the Edo period. The family descends from Samurais and their descendants are currently maintaining the house. We really enjoyed the visit, we recommend it.
Nice visit in this historical house built in 1796. Really loved the house which is definitely huge for the year it was built in. They are audio-guide in several languages, which may be a good idea if you have more time then I did. And brochures in Japanese, English and French.
Frequently Asked Questions
A standard visit takes 30 to 45 minutes for the self-guided tour through all rooms and the garden. Visitors interested in detailed examination may need up to an hour.
Photography for personal use is permitted inside, though flash may be restricted in certain areas. Tripods and professional equipment require advance permission. Check posted signage for room-specific restrictions.
No. The 18th-century structure has raised floors requiring step-ups, narrow doorways, steep stairs, and uneven surfaces. Wheelchair access is extremely limited with no elevators. Some ground-level areas may be partially viewable, but a complete tour requires navigating traditional Japanese architecture.
The residence is located in Kurashiki's Bikan Historical Quarter, which contains multiple Edo-period buildings, traditional warehouses (kura), the Ohara Museum of Art, and preserved canal streets. The entire district is walkable, and combination tickets cover several historical properties in the area.
