The Former Residence of Ōkuma Shigenobu (旧大隈重信別邸) & the Former Residence of the Furukawa Family (旧古河別邸)

Standees of Mutsu Munemitsu and Okuma Shigenobu at the entrance of the Meiji Commemorative Oiso Residences and Gardens

About a 15-minute walk from Oiso Station along National Route 1 is the Meiji Commemorative Oiso Residences and Gardens (明治記念大磯邸園), a project developed to mark the 150th anniversary of the Meiji period (1868–1912). The initiative was led by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in collaboration with Kanagawa Prefecture and the town of Oiso.

On November 23, 2024, following renovation work at the Meiji Commemorative Oiso Residences and Gardens, the Former Residence of Okuma Shigenobu (later acquired by the Furukawa family) and the Former Residence of the Furukawa Family — located on the site of Mutsu Munemitsu's former residence — were opened to the public.

Former Residence of Okuma Shigenobu / Former Residence of the Furukawa Family (旧大隈重信別邸・旧古河別邸)

Okuma Shigenobu (1838–1922) was a leading figure in Japan during the Meiji and Taisho (1912–1926) periods. He served as Minister for Foreign Affairs under Ito Hirobumi and later became Prime Minister. He is also well known as the founder of Waseda University.

He purchased this residence in 1870 and used it as a villa. It was later sold to the Furukawa family, owners of the Furukawa zaibatsu. Notable companies that originated from the former zaibatsu and still exist today include Furukawa Co., Ltd. and Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.

Site of Mutsu Munemitsu's Former Residence / Former Residence of the Furukawa Family (陸奥宗光別邸跡・旧古河別邸)

Mutsu Munemitsu (1844–1897) was a diplomat who later served as Minister of Agriculture and Commerce and Minister for Foreign Affairs. In 1896, he built a residence in Oiso for medical treatment and recuperation.

The current building was constructed on this site by the Furukawa family in 1930, after the original residence was destroyed in the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.

Normal operating hours:
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM)
Closed on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday) and from December 29 to January 3

Admission: Free