Ichirō Hatoyama's Residence, Hatoyama Hall, in Otowa

Curriculum: The Sights, Sounds, Smells, and Tastes of Japan
Published: 2025-01-01 by Charlie Samra
Ichirō Hatoyama's Residence, Hatoyama Hall, in Otowa

Hatoyama Hall is one of those important residences in Tokyo that many people overlook. Some Japanese folks may know of the Hatoyama family because of their legacy, but your typical tourist will have no idea who they were.  Include me as someone who knew nothing about the Hatoyama's until I stumbled on their little palace in Google Maps.

Construction of the beautiful English-style house on Otowa Hill in Bunkyo Ward was completed in 1924, the year after the Great Kanto Earthquake. The estate was commissioned by Ichirō Hatoyama, and built on property that was inherited by his father.

Hatoyama Hall, also known as Otowa Palace
Hatoyama Hall, also known as Otowa Palace

Ichiro's father was Kazuo Hatoyama was a high level politician for a short term right before the turn of the century.  He also served as principal at Waseda University for seventeen years.  His son Ichirō followed in his footsteps into politics, which would be a recurring theme in the Hatoyama family.

During the war years Ichirō was opposed to Japan going to war, and in 1943 left his political life behind, as well as Hatoyama Hall, moving to his summer home in Karuizawa. After the war Ichirō was persuaded to move back to Tokyo and start working inside the government again. 

The Allied bombing had taken its toll on Hatoyama Hall, so when the war ended significant repairs were needed. So when Ichiro returned to Tokyo he stayed at Shojiro Ishibashi's Tokyo residence. Ishibashi, a good friend of Ichiro, was a wealthy businessman and founder of Bridgestone Corporation. There was a Hatoyama family connection with Ishibashi also.  In late 1942, Hatoyama's son Iichirō married Yasuko Ishibashi, the daughter of Shojiro Ishibashi. Ishibashi became an important financial backer for Hatoyama as well as an advisor on Japan's post-war economic development thereafter.

Ichiro moved back into Hatoyama Hall after it was repaired. From that point his private residence was often used as a meeting place, hosting discussions that led to the formation of the Japan Liberal Party in late 1945.  

In the subsequent years, significant policy discussions were held between representatives of the Democratic Liberal Party and the Democratic Party at Hatoyama Hall, which led to the formation of the Liberal Party in 1950.

Ichirō Hatoyama suffered a cerebral infarction (stroke) in 1951, which left him partially paralyzed. 

Despite this physical challenge, he made a remarkable political comeback. As leader of the Japan Democratic Party (DLP), he was appointed Prime Minister in 1954, and the following year played a key role in the formation of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), of which he became its first president and prime minister in 1955. His condition required him to use a cane and adjust his lifestyle to manage the aftereffects of the stroke during his time in office.

In October 1956, he restored diplomatic ties with the Soviet Union, which was his last significant achievement before he left office at the end of that same year.

Ichirō Hatoyama died in his Hatoyama Hall house on 7 March 1959.  He will be remembered as a staunch conservative who favored pardons for some of the Class A war criminals who had been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal. He hoped to revise the Constitution to remove Article 9 and eventually remilitarize Japan. 

After Ichiro's death, the building fell into a state of serious disrepair, but in 1995 it underwent extensive restoration and was restored to its former glory. During the restoration, rooms were created to commemorate Ichiro, his wife Kaoru, an educator, and his son Iichiro, and were opened to the public.

There is much to see, including the English-style exterior in front of the rose garden, the stained glass with a pigeon motif, the Adam-style reception room, and the statues of Kazuo and Haruko by Fumio Asakura.

The hall was renovated and opened to the public in 1996, and is currently owned by Yukio Hatoyama’s mother Yasuko, who is a daughter of the founder of Bridgestone Corp. 

About the Estate

The building's architect was Okada Shinichi, who also designed the Kabuki-za. The facade is composed of natural stone, with large French windows on the ground floor solarium. On the first floor, the windows and doors fill the entire width of the building.

Main Entrance Stairway
Main Entrance Stairway
Living Room
Living Room
Dining Room
Dining Room
Solarium
Solarium
Stained Glass featuring pidgeons
Stained Glass featuring pidgeons

There are currently three memorial rooms open to the public, one dedicated to Ichiro, another to his wife Kaoru, and yet another to their son, Iichiro Hatoyama. In addition, the garden features sculptures of Kazuo Hatoyama and his wife, Haruko.

The rose garden is extensive, and should definitely be on your list to visit during the spring and fall.

Rose Garden and Annex Building
Rose Garden and Annex Building
Garden Path and Archway
Garden Path and Archway
Ichiro Hatoyama Statue
Ichiro Hatoyama Statue
Statue of Kazuo and Haruko, Ichiro's parents
Statue of Kazuo and Haruko, Ichiro's parents

Controversy

When Yukio Hatoyama was elected prime minister 2009, Hatoyama Hall become a tourist magnet. Tourists would flock to the estate, some just sightseers, and others as protesters against some of his policies.

The odd thing that is worth mentioning is that Goth loli fashion in the hall was prohibited. Apparently a magazine article was written that stated that you can take very cute photos at the hall dressed in Goth Lolita fashion. This was something the building staff did not want to become a trend.

Another article came out about somebody that brought Goth Lolita dress to the hall, and changed clothes in the restroom. This caused folks waiting to use the restroom to become somewhat agitated.  You can't make this stuff up, I know.

Oh, and in case you are like me and don't know what Goth Lolita fashion is, here is a brief descrption. 

Gothic Lolita, often referred to as "GothLoli" (ゴスロリ) in Japan, is a substyle of the broader Lolita fashion movement, which combines Victorian and Rococo aesthetics with modern Japanese pop culture influences.  Dresses are predominantly black, but often accented with white, deep reds, purples, or dark blues.  Now you know!

 

Location



Vocabulary
Flash Card Drill

diplomatic     (がい)(こう)
  • The prime minister made a diplomatic visit to strengthen ties with neighboring countries.  
  • 首相は近隣諸国との関係を強化するために外交訪問を行った。
  • Diplomatic negotiations are essential for maintaining peace.  
  • 外交交渉は平和を維持するために不可欠です。
legacy     ()(さん)
  • The legacy of the Hatoyama family is significant in Japanese history.  
  • 鳩山家の遺産は日本の歴史において重要です。
  • He left a legacy of innovation that continues to influence new generations.  
  • 彼は新しい世代に影響を与え続ける革新の遺産を残した。
Adam-style     ()()()()タイル(たいる)
  • The living and dining rooms were designed with an Adam-style flair, complete with domed ceilings and colorful walls and fireplaces.  
  • リビングルームとダイニングルームは、ドーム型の天井とカラフルな壁と暖炉を備えたアダムスタイルの雰囲気で設計されています。
  • They chose an Adam-style design for their new home.  
  • 彼らは新しい家にアダムスタイルのデザインを選びました。
controversy     (ろん)(そう)
  • The policy changes sparked controversy among the citizens.  
  • 政策変更は市民の間で論争を引き起こした。
  • There was a lot of controversy surrounding the decision to build the new stadium.  
  • 新しいスタジアムを建設する決定には多くの論争があった。
conservative     保守(ほしゅ)(てき)
  • The judge has a considerable history of conservative viewpoints.  
  • 裁判官は保守的な見方のかなりの経歴を持っています。
  • The republicans have very conservative positions on abortion, gun control, and the military.  
  • 共和党は中絶、銃規制、そして軍隊に関して非常に保守的な立場をとっています。
motif     ()()ーフ()
  • The dress had floral motifs all over it.  
  • そのドレスは花のモチーフが全体に施されていた。
  • She chose a wallpaper with geometric motifs.  
  • 彼女は幾何学的なモチーフの壁紙を選んだ。
aesthetics     ()(がく)
  • The aesthetics of the painting captivated many viewers.  
  • その絵の美学は多くの観客を魅了しました。
  • She studied aesthetics to understand what makes art appealing.  
  • 彼女はアートを魅力的にする要素を理解するために美学を勉強しました。
underwent     ()()
  • He underwent surgery last year.  
  • 彼は昨年手術を受けました。
  • The project underwent several changes before completion.  
  • そのプロジェクトは完成する前にいくつかの変更を受けました。
disrepair     (ほう)()
  • The old building fell into disrepair over the years.  
  • その古い建物は年々放置されていました。
  • The park has suffered from years of disrepair.  
  • その公園は何年もの放置から苦しんでいます。
magnet     ()(せき)
  • The refrigerator magnet is holding a family photo.  
  • 冷蔵庫の磁石は家族の写真を持っています。
  • Magnets can attract or repel each other.  
  • 磁石は互いに引き寄せたり反発したりすることができます。
  • The restaurant was famous for their deserts, which was a foodie magnet for people that loved sweets.  
  • このレストランはデザートで有名で、甘いもの好きの人々を魅了していました。

Quizzes