Marcelo, a Kominka in Ibaraki, Japan
Located in Hanakawa-cho, Kitaibaraki City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan—an area close to the mountains and the sea where much of the natural landscape remains intact—this 120-year-old traditional Japanese house opened as an exclusive rental property in September 2019. Perched on a hilltop, it boasts a stately appearance, magnificent tiled roofing, and features rarely seen today, such as a raised entranceway, transom windows, and decorative shelves. This traditional house is filled with thoughtful details; we invite you to spend a relaxing time here, far removed from your daily routine.
Shrine & Forest
Shrine & Forest
If you walk about three minutes past the torii gate next to the entrance to “Marcelo,” you’ll reach Sawawachigi Shrine, which is associated with Minamoto no Yoriyoshi. The shrine is located within the grounds, nestled in a bamboo grove behind an old folk house. “Marcelo,” protected by this shrine and the forest, is filled with a sense of sacredness and a rich, vibrant atmosphere.
Irori
Irori
There is an irori in the Japanese-style room directly ahead as you enter the foyer. Although this space was originally designed as an irori, it was used as a sunken kotatsu for about 60 years. We have now restored it to its original irori form so that our guests can fully experience the atmosphere of a samurai residence. Spending time gathered around it is truly soothing.
Architectural Heritage
Architectural Heritage
Traces of the meticulous craftsmanship from the time of its construction in Meiji 30 can still be seen throughout the building. From the air circulation system and the ceilings made of single slabs of wood to the shelf posts crafted with exquisite artistry, the transom windows made of intricate wood and glass, and the nine glass windows, each featuring a different carved landscape, you will surely appreciate its value as an architectural heritage site.
Vast Scale
Vast Scale
Perched on a hill surrounded by nature, this spacious single-story home features 6LDK. Although it’s classified as a traditional Japanese house, it differs from typical homes—it’s a samurai-style residence with a total floor area of 264 square meters that looks like it could have come straight out of a period drama. Inside, the house retains its original, time-worn fixtures and transom windows, which are still carefully maintained and used to this day. The total lot area is 823 square meters. In the spacious private garden outside the house, you can enjoy barbecues; on clear nights, you can gaze at the beautiful starry sky; and if you’re a fan of shrines, you can visit the one located on the hill behind the property (a 1-minute walk away).
Renovated for convenience
Renovated for convenience
In 2011, all the roof tiles were replaced, and in 2012, the entrance foyer was expanded and the kitchen, bathroom, and toilet—along with other wet areas—underwent a major renovation. Parts of the kitchen, dining area, and hallway were refinished with solid cedar planks. In 2018, the entranceway and portions of the building’s exterior were renovated. The house combines the best of traditional Japanese architecture with modern conveniences, creating a space where everyone who gathers here can feel comfortable.
Kominka Marcelo
7 Keywords
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Hilltop
Built on a site about 5 meters higher than the surrounding area, with the nearby hills behind it and surrounded by rice paddies, the structure resembles a mansion designed to overlook the village. “Marcelo” is located about 20 meters up a slope from the parking lot. From there, you can see rice paddies and the village below, a shrine and Takeyama Hill behind you, and mountains in the distance—allowing you to fully enjoy the magnificent natural scenery.
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Nature
Almost everything you see is nature. The expansive 823-square-meter garden, the trees and butterflies visible from the house, and the distant mountains. This scenery, brimming with nature, enriches the soul, allowing you to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and reminding you of something precious.
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Plants
The pine tree arching over the entrance gate, the bamboo on the hill behind the house, the yuzu tree halfway up the slope, the persimmon tree visible from there, and the sakaki trees dotted throughout the garden—all of them are alive and coexist with Marcelo. I am surrounded by the warmth and vitality of these plants.
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Wildlife
In the rice paddies right in front of the house, you can see frogs and grasshoppers, and if you’re lucky, fireflies around June. When the season arrives, butterflies and dragonflies add color to the garden. Birds like the Japanese bush warbler and the evening cicada fill the air with sounds that change with the seasons. There, you’ll find an environment that remains close to its natural state—a rarity these days.
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Mountain
The mountains visible from the house are elegant and majestic. From Mount Akane, a facility located about a 15-minute drive away, you can enjoy views of the townscape—where nature and people coexist—and the magnificent Pacific Ocean. It’s also a popular spot for watching the sunrise.
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Sea
It’s about a 20-minute drive to the ocean. When the weather remains calm, you can enjoy views of the deep, vivid blue waters off the coast of Kita-Ibaraki. In the summer, you can go swimming at Isohara Beach, and Otsu Port—where you can enjoy seafood all year round—is a great spot to relax by the sea.
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Star
Located on a hill surrounded by countryside, with few streetlights in the vicinity, you can fully enjoy the night sky on clear nights. Also, around late June, there are days when you can see fireflies flitting about.
Access
- Address: 361 Kamikotsuda, Hanakawa-cho, Kitaibaraki City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan 319-1532
- By Car: Take the exit at “Kita-Ibaraki IC” on the Joban Expressway; it’s about a 10-minute drive from there.
- By Public Transportation: About a 15-minute taxi ride from Isohara Station on the JR Joban Line
Floor Plan
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- Layout: 6LDK (5 Usable Bedrooms) More About “Rooms”
- LDK (Living, Dining & Kitchen): 20 tatami mats (approx. 33 ㎡ / 355 sq ft)
Irori Room (Traditional Sunken Hearth): 8 tatami mats (approx. 13.2 ㎡ / 142 sq ft
Japanese-style Tatami Rooms:
・10 tatami mats × 2 rooms (approx. 16.5 ㎡ / 177 sq ft each)
・6 tatami mats × 1 room (approx. 9.9 ㎡ / 106 sq ft)
Wooden Floor Room: 8 tatami mats (approx. 13.2 ㎡ / 142 sq ft) - The charming living-dining area features a combination of modern furniture and lighting, creating a nostalgic and warm atmosphere. In this quiet, serene space, you can enjoy a leisurely time with your loved ones.
From Owner
This area, Kitaibaraki City, was one of the regions affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, in 2011. We had expected Marcelo to suffer damage as well, but thanks to a remark from my grandfather—and the fact that we had repaired all the roof tiles just before the disaster—it miraculously survived unscathed. I would be delighted if you could fully appreciate this miraculous cultural asset.
Originally, our grandparents and ancestors lived here, and it was the house where my father was born and raised, but in recent years, we had only been using it as a place to return to during Obon and local festivals. However, in the winter of 2016, my father—who had inherited this house—told me, “From now on, you’re free to use this house however you like.” Feeling both bewildered and delighted, I initially used it as a vacation home, inviting colleagues and friends. We had barbecues, stayed up late drinking and talking, and were able to deepen our bonds with loved ones, spending happy and fulfilling times together.
What made me happiest of all was that everyone who came there told me, “That was fun” and “I’d love to come back.”
“I want more people to have the same experience.”
That thought was what led me to start renting out the property.
Kominka Marcelo has been supported by many people—including local residents and our ancestors—to reach where it is today. It is a mansion-style traditional house that is still standing here, cherished by the community. I would be delighted if those who wish to “deepen their bonds with loved ones” would make use of this space.
Owner, Kominka Marcelo