The Former House of Otsuka Family is frozen in time in the 19th century as a historic place providing insight into the early days of the Urayasu area. Its period furniture, tools and fixtures reveal the state of the house centuries ago. See how the Otsuka family went about their daily farming lives along the river in this eye-opening museum.
Wander through the house and check out the sculptures and other works of art that offer a glimpse into the practices of the late Edo period. Inspect the various Japanese symbols on antique wooden pieces. Appreciate the elegant design of the structure, which is lined by a cluster of trees.
Chat with the docents to learn about the history of the Otsuka family. They toiled in the fishing and farming industries and worked with the River Sakaigawa that runs near the house. See the lifelike models representing members of the old family in the middle of their traditional practices.
Admire the wooden layout of this house, which has been preserved and reconstructed over the years. It has a thatched roof and a single-story layout. Notice the earth floor of the large living room. Look around the garret room above the roof, where extra possessions were kept and valuables were placed during flooding.
Complete with a guest room, the house is considerably larger than a typical farmer’s building from the Edo period. Go for a leisurely stroll along the banks of the scenic river at the corner of the house. Note that it is free to look around the house, which is open until late in the afternoon.
The Former House of Otsuka Family is in the Urayasu district at the intersection of the Chiba Prefecture and central Tokyo. Take a train to the Urayasu Station on the eastern side of the Kyuedo River and walk south. While you’re in the area, visit nearby sights such as the Seiryu Shrine, the Dairenji Temple and the Toyouke Shrine.
