Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Japan Kōchi-shi Sawada Mansion

Sawada Mansion

Though technically an illegal structure, this eclectic DIY apartment complex is beloved by its residents.

Kōchi-shi, Japan

Added By
Caitlin Frunks
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Sawada Mansion.   caitlinfrunks / Atlas Obscura User
Sawada Mansion.   caitlinfrunks / Atlas Obscura User
Sawada Mansion.   caitlinfrunks / Atlas Obscura User
Sawada Mansion.   caitlinfrunks / Atlas Obscura User
Sawada Mansion.   caitlinfrunks / Atlas Obscura User
Sawada Mansion.   caitlinfrunks / Atlas Obscura User
Sawada Mansion.   caitlinfrunks / Atlas Obscura User
Sawada Mansion.   caitlinfrunks / Atlas Obscura User
Sawada Mansion.   caitlinfrunks / Atlas Obscura User
Sawada Mansion.   caitlinfrunks / Atlas Obscura User
Sawada Mansion.   caitlinfrunks / Atlas Obscura User
Sawada Mansion.   caitlinfrunks / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Sawada Mansion isn’t the average Japanese apartment building. It’s a DIY apartment complex that's the result of an amateur architect’s lifework.

Kano Sawada (1927-2003) was a self-taught architect and carpenter. Dissatisfied with “cage-like” standard apartment complexes, he set about building an apartment that could foster a sense of community and creativity, all while accommodating up to 100 people.

Construction on the complex commenced in the early 1970s. Though the building reached its current scale in 1985, additions are ongoing to this day. There are approximately 70 rooms in the building and about 100 residents. The building's exact dimensions are unknown, as no blueprints were used.

The white five-story building is rife with plant life and unusual additions. On the fourth floor there’s a fishpond and the roof houses an extensive vegetable garden and self-built crane. Kano Sawada’s widow, Hiroe, still lives in the building with her family. Their top-floor apartment has an impressive garden, complete with chickens, rabbits, and even a pet pig!

Besides the residential rooms, there are also cafes,a gallery, and independent boutiques. Visitors are welcome to walk around and explore the complex, keeping in mind that it is home to many people.

Since the building was a DIY project, planning approval was never obtained, technically making it an illegal structure. In the past, Kochi City has made attempts to demolish it. However, thanks to strong community support, the building is safe from such threats for the time being.

Related Tags

Houses Architectural Oddities Architecture Mansions Homes

Know Before You Go

You can spend the night in the building from ¥3,500.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Hidden Japan: Sado Island, Nara & Kyoto

Explore a different side of Japan.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

caitlinfrunks

Edited By

Greg Jones

  • Greg Jones

Published

November 15, 2017

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/Sawada-Mansion.pdf
  • https://en.japantravel.com/kochi/sawada-mansion-the-diy-apartment-building/384
  • http://lifeinkochi.net/2013/07/welcome-to-sawa-man/
Sawada Mansion
1 Chome-1-10-3 Azōno Kitamachi
Kōchi-shi
Japan
33.57946, 133.553051
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Berobero no Kamisama

Kochi, Japan

miles away

Tsuribune Shrine

Kochi, Japan

miles away

Yuzuan Restaurant

Nankoku, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Japan

Japan

Asia

Places 786
Stories 110

Nearby Places

Berobero no Kamisama

Kochi, Japan

miles away

Tsuribune Shrine

Kochi, Japan

miles away

Yuzuan Restaurant

Nankoku, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Japan

Japan

Asia

Places 786
Stories 110

Related Places

  • Row of old houses with the narrow Kleine Trippenhuis or “Little Trip House” on Kloveniersburgwal canal.

    Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Kleine Trippenhuis

    One of Amsterdam's narrowest houses is located right across the canal from its widest.

  • Jarman’s Coffin.

    Little Gaddesden, England

    Jarman's Coffin

    Local legend says this unusual chimney is actually a broken-hearted man's tomb.

  • Breakfast Room hidden door.

    Asheville, North Carolina

    Biltmore Estate's Secret Passages

    The enormous 250-room Vanderbilt mansion conceals hidden doors and secret passageways.

  • The gates with Traquair House in the background.

    Scottish Borders, Scotland

    The Bear Gates of Traquair

    The main gates have been locked since 1745 and will remain so until the Stuart Dynasty returns to the throne.

  • Beer Baron Row.

    Chicago, Illinois

    Beer Baron Row

    These mansions date back to Chicago's days as a brewer's paradise.

  • Castel Meur

    Plougrescant, France

    Castel Meur

    A small house sits between two huge rocks, with its back to the sea.

  • Interior of 575 Wandsworth

    London, England

    575 Wandsworth Road

    What started as a way to address damp basement walls turned into a house filled with intricate hand-carved designs.

  • Independence, Missouri

    Vaile Mansion

    A remarkably opulent mansion with a tragic history.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.