The Classic House at Akasaka Prince (赤坂プリンス クラシックハウス)

As part of KIOI ROSE GARDEN 2026, which runs until June 14, roses, hydrangeas, and other seasonal flowers have been planted around the Classic House at Akasaka Prince (赤坂プリンス クラシックハウス), a traditional Tudor-style mansion standing within the Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho (東京ガーデンテラス紀尾井町) complex in the Kioicho area of Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.

Brick foundation from the Kitashirakawa residence

The site was once part of the upper residence of the Kishu branch of the Tokugawa family during the Edo period (1603–1868). During the Meiji period (1868–1912), the Tokyo residence for Prince Kitashirakawa (1847–1895) was built on the site. Next to the Classic House's main entrance, a section of the brick foundation from the former Kitashirakawa residence is on display. It is believed to have supported a freestanding column of the entrance porch.

In 1924, the site was granted to the Yi Royal Family (李王家), the former Korean imperial family, which had been incorporated into Japan's imperial system as a royal family during the period of Japanese rule over Korea. Construction of a new residence for the family, now the Classic House, began in 1926 and was completed in 1930. The building was designed by Takumiryo (内匠寮), the Imperial Household Ministry's Construction Bureau, which was responsible for designing and constructing buildings associated with the Imperial Family. It served as the Yi Royal Family's Tokyo residence, where Yi Un (李垠, 1897–1970), the last crown prince of the Korean Empire, lived with his wife, Princess Masako of Nashimoto (方子女王, later known as Yi Bangja [李方子], 1901–1989).

After Japan's defeat in World War II, the family's circumstances changed dramatically. The Japanese government discontinued its annual allowance to the Yi Royal Family in 1945. The family was also subject to the postwar property tax introduced as part of Japan's tax reforms in 1946. In addition, under Japan's new Constitution, which came into effect on May 3, 1947, the family lost its official status as a royal family.

Yi hoped to return to Korea, but Syngman Rhee (1875–1965), the first president of the newly established Republic of Korea, did not allow him to return, reportedly fearing a restoration of the monarchy in Korea and regarding Yi as a potential political threat.

The family's financial difficulties also affected their Tokyo residence. Around the time of the establishment of International Christian University (ICU), there was an offer to purchase the residence for $100,000, but Yi declined the offer.

The residence was subsequently rented out to serve as the official residence of the President of the House of Councillors. Meanwhile, Yi and Masako continued to live on the property in a former maid's room.

The property was later considered as a possible site for the Embassy of the Republic of Korea. The rental arrangement with the House of Councillors was terminated, but the Korean government's proposed purchase of the property never materialized.

In 1952, Yi eventually sold the property to Yasujiro Tsutsumi (1889–1964), founder of the Seibu Group, and moved to a house in Den-en-chofu. The former residence was subsequently converted into the Akasaka Prince Hotel, which opened in 1955.

In 2011, the building was designated a Tangible Cultural Property of Tokyo. Following extensive renovations, it reopened in 2016 as a wedding venue.