The Former Kondō Residence (旧近藤邸)

The Former Kondo Residence

The Former Kondo Residence (旧近藤邸), now located beside the Fujisawa Civic Center (藤沢市民会館), was originally built in 1925 near Tsujido Beach as a villa for Kenji Kondo (1874–1948). The residence was designed by Arata Endo (1889–1951), a prominent architect who had worked under Frank Lloyd Wright for six years.

By 1979, the building had begun to show signs of age and deterioration, prompting plans for its demolition. However, strong support from local residents and numerous architects led to the formation of a preservation group in February 1980. The group organized fundraising efforts and a petition campaign, which ultimately resulted in the Fujisawa City Council’s decision to preserve the building in May 1980. The residence was relocated to its current site in March 1981.

In August 2002, the building was designated a Tangible Cultural Property by the Japanese government.

Opening hours:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
(Please contact the Culture and Arts Division [文化芸術課] inside the Fujisawa Civic Center [藤沢市民会館] to arrange a tour of the building.)

Closed on:
Mondays (except when Monday is a national holiday)
The day after a national holiday (unless it falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or another national holiday)
December 28 to January 4

References:

• The Agency for Cultural Affairs. (n.d.). 旧近藤邸. 文化遺産オンライン Cultural Heritage Online. https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/115774
• Fujisawa City. (n.d.). 旧近藤邸. 藤沢市 Fujisawa City. https://www.city.fujisawa.kanagawa.jp/c-hall/kyoiku/bunka/bunkazai/kyukondote.html
• Fujisawa City Tourist Association. (n.d.). 旧近藤邸. 藤沢市・湘南江の島 藤沢市観光公式ホームページ. https://www.fujisawa-kanko.jp/spot/fujisawa/07.html