The history of the former Soma family residence -- a manor built in Hakodate, Hokkaido, in 1908 that was the private residence of a wealthy Japanese merchant -- is one of prosperity and hardship.Vacant and on the verge of demolition, it was purchased and designated as a nationally important cultural property. Now a museum and open to the public, this year it is expected to be made available for overnight stays.The preservation of historical landmarks in Japan has become a hot-button issue nationwide, and the challenges of the Soma residence highlight the difficulty of maintaining such prope…READ FULL ARTICLE
