National Historic Site Koizumi Yakumo Former Residence

Samuel Goldberg 3 months ago

As a fan of Hearn, it’s a really wonderful place to just wander around and explore. Really get the sense of being in a place someone once loved, lived in, and just… existed in. It’s got a lot of character to it and some nice gardens. There’s less documentation inside, compared to his Kumamoto home, but I imagine that’s due to the museum being next door. As a note, there’s a monument that includes some of his hair nearby, but I missed it when I went, so keep an eye out for it in the courtyard.

GMT 7 months ago

Beautiful little house (though 'little' because not all of it has been opened to the public) surrounded by lush, pretty gardens. Hearn wrote about his stay here in The Atlantic, June 1882 and little has changed. There is a sublime sense of peace, scholarship and happiness. A short but profound experience that benefits from the absence of visitors.

Nick Sint Nicolaas 2 years ago

The small size is not the problem, but there is virtually no information. For that you have to go next door to the Memorial Hall.

Kate Linsley 4 years ago

Very small and just a couple rooms, but if you are interested in seeing more about Lafcadio Hearn’s life, check it out. There are some nice artworks and displays. You can rest your mind looking out at the Japanese garden. It is discounted for foreign visa holders. You can take pictures inside, too.

Mizuki Genshou 4 years ago

I like Lafcadio Hearn's stories, and it absolutely trilled me to be able to finally visit his former residence. The landscape is really stunning, the surrounding streets are also very traditional-looking, it's very relaxing to walk among those streets.