​— The story of "Tsubame Yashiki" (Swallow Residence) built by Takeuchi Jōtsugu —

It was around 100 years ago, at the end of the Meiji era. Takeuchi Shirotsugu, who made a name for himself as a jiuta koto player,

We built a house in Onomichi designed for living in harmony with sound.

That was Tsubameyashiki, the predecessor of the current Onomichi Tsubamedo.

 

Having lost his sight at a young age, Shirotsugu saw the "shape of the world" in the sound of the waves, the ringing of bells, and the rustling of the wind.

"I want to build a house of sound"—that wish led to the creation of a unique residence in Tsuchido-cho, Onomichi.

 

"May this be a place where people, like swallows, can rest their wings, returning in spring and setting off on their journeys in autumn."

 

It is said that after telling this story, Jōtsugu named the house "Tsubame Yashiki" (Swallow Residence) and welcomed travelers and disciples who came and went along the Seto Inland Sea.

 

From the veranda on the south side, you can see the islands floating on the sea and the comings and goings of sailing ships, and the sounds of ship horns and people's voices carried on the sea breeze.

I became immersed in the sound of his koto.

 

—And then, a hundred years later.

The former "Tsubame Yashiki" (swallow residence) will be revived as the inn "Onomichi Tsubame-do".

The old beams and lattice doors remain as they are, while carefully preserving the "sounds" and "warmth" that continue to flow through this land.

 

A traveler rests their wings and then takes flight again into a new sky.

In December 2025, a new story will begin at the inn "Onomichi Tsubamedo".