The Timeless Residence

It’s been a month since I returned from my trip to Europe.
Tokyo’s temperature has soared to 37°C—how I miss the cool breeze of Copenhagen and Dublin.

The other day, I visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum in Meguro.
Originally built in 1933 as the private residence of the Asaka-no-miya royal family, the architecture reflects the refined tastes of the era.

Having spent time in Paris, the Asaka couple brought back a wealth of inspiration.
Their influence can be seen throughout the residence in its Art Deco design—modern at the time, now gracefully retro and full of charm.

After World War II, the residence served as the Prime Minister’s official home, where Shigeru Yoshida carried out his duties.
Later, it became a state guesthouse, welcoming dignitaries from around the world.

Today, the building is preserved as a museum—carrying forward history while supporting the arts. A space that continues to evolve with the times.

Since meeting people from different countries during my vacation, I’ve felt a stronger desire to understand Japanese culture more deeply—as a Japanese person, and to be able to share it clearly with those who don’t yet know it.
I feel inspired to spend more time exploring Tokyo in the coming weeks.

As for my journey through Europe, I’ll share more stories in an upcoming blog post—stay tuned.

Chinatsu Sakamoto