Yamate Western Houses & the Foreign Settlement on Yokohama's Hill
After the port opened, the Yamate hill in Yokohama was a settlement where foreign residents lived. As a reminder of that era, a number of Western houses remain open to the public and free to visit. Let's tour the houses on the hill, along with the stories of the people who built them and their architects.
Yamate's Western houses vary in who lived there, who designed them, and what styles they take.
Once you know each one's character, simply walking the hill reveals the international flavor of modern Yokohama.
Notable Western Houses
The Diplomat's HouseGaikokan no Ie
Built in Tokyo as the residence of the Meiji-era diplomat Sadatsuchi Uchida, it was later moved to Yamate. In the American Victorian style, it is designated a National Important Cultural Property.
Source:外交官の家 公式（横浜市緑の協会）「施設概要」
Berrick Hall
Built as the residence of a British trader, it is one of the largest of the prewar Yamate Western houses. Designed by the architect J. H. Morgan, its Spanish-style ornamentation is a highlight.
Source:ベーリック・ホール 公式（横浜市緑の協会）「施設概要」
Ehrismann Residence
It was the private home of a Swiss merchant engaged in the raw-silk trade. Designed by the architect Antonin Raymond, often called the "father of modern architecture," it is marked by simple, comfortable spaces; the current building was reconstructed within Motomachi Park in 1990.
Source:エリスマン邸 公式（横浜市緑の協会）「施設概要」
Culture on the Hilltop
Birthplace of Tennis
Foreign residents are said to have laid out courts in Yamate Park, where lawn tennis was played in Japan for the first time. The park houses the "Tennis Origin Memorial Hall," where you can see equipment from the era.
Source:横浜市観光情報「横浜山手・テニス発祥記念館」
Harbor View ParkMinato no Mieru Oka Koen
Set on the Yamate heights, this park commands a sweeping view of Yokohama Port and the Bay Bridge. The area was once garrisoned by French and British troops, and with a rose garden and a literary museum, it makes a fine starting point for a stroll.
Source:横浜市「港の見える丘公園」
FAQ
Is there an admission fee to visit the Yamate Western houses?
Most of the notable houses are open to the public with free admission. Seasonal decorations and events are sometimes held, so it's easy to drop in.
What's an efficient way to tour the Western houses?
Climb the hill from Motomachi-Chukagai Station or Ishikawacho Station, and split your walk between the Italian Hill Garden side and the Harbor View Park side to comfortably visit several houses.
Why are the Western houses concentrated in Yamate?
After the port opened, the Yamate hill became a residential area for foreigners (the settlement). As a remnant of that, Western houses, a foreign cemetery, churches, and more remain.
What should I look at to tell the houses apart?
Focus on the occupation and origin of the person who built it, the architect, and the style, and the differences become clear. Compare the character of each exterior, such as the Victorian and Spanish styles.