The Story of Anabukitei
Originally the home of a construction company president
With its striking castle tower, the house was always a conspicuous local landmark. The “tei” of Anabukitei means house or residence and as the name implies, until several years ago it was a family home. Though it is now a hotel, the nameplate on the door remains to this day. The house was built in the late 1960s by Natsuji Anabuki, founder and president of Anabuki Construction Company, and grandfather of the current owner, Eitaro Anabuki. After starting out as a carpenter in postwar Japan, Natsuji built Anabuki into one of Japan’s leading construction companies. A gentle and honest man, he was deeply respected by all who knew him.
A local symbol for 50 years
Though the house was built over 50 years ago, the exterior remains virtually unchanged with its impressive gate and distinctive castle tower. The tower wasn’t part of the original design but was added to reassure clients, who were duly impressed by the grandeur of the president’s home. It was such an eye-catching building that the local children used to come and ask to see round it. Incidentally, the tower was not designed to be climbed. It was purely a symbol built to be viewed from the outside to reassure and amuse everyone who saw it.
Memories of a happy childhood
Four generations of the Anabuki family, from Natsuji’s parents to his grandchildren, lived in the house. Whether business associates or relatives, the house was always full of people. It was a family home bursting with warmth. Today, the house has undergone total renovation, but the Japanese room on the ground floor has been retained as a reminder of a bygone era. The layout of the rooms is also virtually as it was, including the kitchen and bathrooms.
