A quiet wooden house in Kobe’s Sumiyoshi district, once home to renowned novelist Tanizaki Jun’ichirō, is now maintained as a literary and architectural museum.
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Tucked away in a peaceful neighborhood of Higashinada, Ishoan honors the memory of one of modern Japan’s literary legends, Tanizaki Jun’ichirō. The renowned author of The Makioka Sisters lived here from 1936 to 1943, and the house—originally built in the early Showa era—still reflects the refined aesthetic that influenced his writing. Tatami rooms, intricate transom carvings, and a simple garden showcase Tanizaki’s appreciation for traditional Japanese architecture and his fascination with the sensual and the sublime. Visitors can view manuscripts, photographs, and personal items, offering a peek into the daily life and creative process of a man who helped shape the modern Japanese novel. Ishoan is also mentioned by name in several of Tanizaki’s works, making this site more than a museum—it's a literary pilgrimage.
Facilities & Services
- Historic architecture
- Literary exhibitions
- Guided tours (Japanese only)
- Japanese garden
- Small reading area
Contact
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