Kakunodate samurai houses in winter: which can you visit?
Checked against 3 official sources. 2 minute read.
Edited by Yamanaka, the site's owner-editor based in Japan.
What to know first
For a visit from December to March, Aoyagi House and Kawarada House have listed winter hours. Ishiguro House has announced that its public opening will stop after 30 November 2026, so do not plan to visit it from 1 December onwards.
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If you want...
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| If you want... | Choose... | Winter detail |
|---|---|---|
| A house listed as open year-round | Aoyagi House | 9 am–4 pm, December–March; about 20 minutes on foot from JR Kakunodate Station. |
| A house with a later listed closing time | Kawarada House | 9 am–4.30 pm, December–March; last admission 4 pm; about 15 minutes on foot from the station. Closed over the New Year period. |
| To enter Ishiguro House from 1 December 2026 | Do not plan an indoor visit | The house says public opening will pause, with no reopening date announced. |
Sources for this section: Semboku City samurai houses · Ishiguro House public-opening notice
Aoyagi House
Semboku City lists Aoyagi House as open year-round. From December to March, its hours are 9 am to 4 pm. Individual admission is ¥500 for adults, ¥300 for junior and senior high-school students, and ¥200 for primary-school pupils. The city estimates a 20-minute walk from JR Kakunodate Station. Check current opening details before setting out.
Sources for this section: Semboku City samurai houses
Kawarada House
From December to March, the city lists Kawarada House as open from 9 am to 4.30 pm, with last admission at 4 pm. It closes over the New Year period; check the exact closure dates before travelling. Individual admission is ¥500 for visitors of senior high-school age and above, and ¥300 for primary and junior high-school pupils. The city estimates a 15-minute walk from JR Kakunodate Station.
Sources for this section: Semboku City samurai houses
Ishiguro House: public opening to pause
Ishiguro House says it will pause public opening after 30 November 2026 and will not open to the public from 1 December. It has not announced a reopening date, although it has not ruled out reopening in the future. Semboku City's general listing still shows ordinary opening hours; use the house's own notice when planning a visit.
Sources for this section: Ishiguro House public-opening notice · Tazawako Kakunodate Tourism Association notice
For example
For example, admission for two adults at either Aoyagi House or Kawarada House is ¥1,000 in total at the individual rate listed by Semboku City (¥500 × 2). This is the admission cost for one house, not both.
Sources for this section: Semboku City samurai houses
Frequently asked questions
Is Aoyagi House open in winter? Semboku City lists it as open year-round, from 9 am to 4 pm in December–March. Individual adult admission is ¥500.
Can I visit Ishiguro House in December 2026? The house says it will not open to the public from 1 December 2026. It has not announced a reopening date.
Sources for this section: Semboku City samurai houses · Ishiguro House public-opening notice
Plan your visit
Pick Aoyagi House or Kawarada House, then check its opening status for your travel date and leave enough time to walk from the station before closing or last admission. The city's walking times are estimates; allow extra time if conditions make walking slower.
Sources for this section: Semboku City samurai houses
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Official sources
These official sources explain the rules and conditions used in this guide. Live availability and your own booking, admission or service outcome still need to be confirmed for your trip.
- Semboku City samurai houses
What this confirms: Semboku City lists Aoyagi House as open year-round. From December to March, its hours are 9 am to 4 pm. Individual admission is ¥500 for adults, ¥300 for junior and senior high-school students, and ¥200 for primary-school pupils. The city estimates a 20-minute walk from JR Kakunodate Station. Check current opening details before setting out. From December to March, the city lists Kawarada House as open from 9 am to 4.30 pm, with last admission at 4 pm. It closes over the New Year period; check the exact closure dates before travelling. Individual admission is ¥500 for visitors of senior high-school age and above, and ¥300 for primary and junior high-school pupils. The city estimates a 15-minute walk from JR Kakunodate Station.
Last checked - Ishiguro House public-opening notice
What this confirms: Ishiguro House says it will pause public opening after 30 November 2026 and will not open to the public from 1 December. It has not announced a reopening date, although it has not ruled out reopening in the future. Semboku City's general listing still shows ordinary opening hours; use the house's own notice when planning a visit.
Last checked - Tazawako Kakunodate Tourism Association notice
What this confirms: Ishiguro House says it will pause public opening after 30 November 2026 and will not open to the public from 1 December.
Last checked
About this guide
Compare winter opening hours, admission and station walking times for Aoyagi House and Kawarada House, plus the announced Ishiguro House closure.
Hours and admission may change; confirm with each venue before travelling.
Guide updates Reviewed
When this guide was checked and what changed
- First published
- Last checked
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- What we checked
- Semboku City samurai houses; Ishiguro House public-opening notice; Tazawako Kakunodate Tourism Association notice.
- Latest update
- : Compare winter opening hours, admission and station walking times for Aoyagi House and Kawarada House, plus the announced Ishiguro House closure.
The date above reflects when these checks were last run. If an individual source was rechecked later, you’ll see that date next to it below. Other copy edits are listed in the update history.
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What changed
Update history
- First published
Compare winter opening hours, admission and station walking times for Aoyagi House and Kawarada House, plus the announced Ishiguro House closure.
If an operator, organiser or product changes in a way that affects the guide, we check it again sooner. Reader reports help us spot what to investigate, and we verify them against current official information before publishing. Read our update and corrections policy. See every guide's review schedule. Suggest an improvement to this guide.