In 1896, Kyu Iwasaki-tei was built as the residence of Hisaya Iwasaki, the third lord of Iwasaki family which was the founder of Mitsubishi group.
When the building was completed, the grounds comprised 49500㎡ and more than 20 buildings.
Three buildings remain and the whole residence and measured map were designated as important cultural assets.
An English architect Josiah Condor designed a two story western-style building of wood and it gave a big influence on Japanese residential architecture.