Osaka CottageThe former Hamilton residence, 1872
A small weatherboard house built in 1872 for a Scottish shipping agent, still standing where the settlement met the canal. Five rooms, a veranda, and a ginkgo older than the building.
A house that kept being useful
It has been a merchant's home, a doctor's surgery, a kindergarten and a store room. Nobody preserved it on purpose until 1996 — it simply stayed in use, which is why it is still here.
Built
Raised on a brick plinth for James Hamilton, a shipping agent from Greenock. The timber arrived as ballast in his own vessels.
Sold to Dr Nakagawa
The new owner added the consulting room on the east side and the tiled stove that still stands in the parlour.
Moved on rollers
Shifted 400 metres to make room for a widened road. The move took eleven days and cracked one chimney, which was rebuilt.
The fire stopped at the wall
The canal and the garden wall broke the spread of the March air raids. The scorching on the west gable has been left unrepaired.
Opened to the public
After two years of restoration by the ward and a volunteer trust, the house opened as a small museum with its garden.
Five rooms and a veranda
Select a room on the plan. The upper floor holds two bedrooms and is reached by the original stair, which is steep and not suitable for everyone.
Veranda
—
Tap a number on the plan to move through the house.
Visiting
- Hours
- Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00–17:00April–September until 18:00
- Last entry
- 30 minutes before closing
- Closed
- MondaysThe following day when Monday is a public holiday · 29 December – 3 January
- Time needed
- About 40 minutes, or an hour with the garden
- Leaflets
- Japanese, English, 中文, 한국어, Français
Admission
Cash and IC cards. Tickets are sold at the gate; there is no advance booking.
Before you come
- Shoes are removed at the entrance. Slippers are provided; socks are appreciated.
- The ground floor and garden are step-free. The upper floor is reached only by the original stair.
- Photography is welcome without flash or tripods. The house is timber and the light is low.
- Free lockers for large bags. No café, but the garden benches are yours for as long as you like.
- Guided tours in Japanese at 11:00 and 14:00. English tours on Saturdays at 13:00.
A commemorative stamp sits on the table by the exit, as it has since the house opened. Bring your notebook.
Getting here
The house sits one street back from the canal, behind a low brick wall. Look for the ginkgo — it is taller than everything around it.
- By train
- Osaka Metro Chūō and Sennichimae lines — Awaza Station, Exit 7, 6 minutes on foot
- Also
- Hanshin Namba line — Kujō Station, 10 minutes on foot
- Address
- Nishi-ku, Osaka — replace with the registered address
- Parking
- No car park. Coin parking on the canal road; bicycles may be left inside the gate.
The nearest bus stop is served by the city loop. Taxi drivers know the ginkgo rather than the house — say “Kawaguchi, the old wooden house by the canal”.