The Samantha Martha Residence サマンサ・マーサ
Halloween in Japan...
If you visit the city of Hamamatsu, you may well find yourself confronted with the very singular vision of a residence that seems straight out of a Tim Burton film. Here is everything there is to know about this strange haunted house!
A "Burtonian" inspiration
In the heart of the city of Hamamatsu stands an extraordinary residence. Designed by the architect Shigeyoshi Sasaki, who is not his first attempt since we also owe him the construction of a village inspired by the films of the Ghibli studio, the Samantha Martha residence is not without evoking the movies of a particular filmmaker appreciated by the Japanese.
Between curved walls, climbing plants, pumpkins looking at you from pointed roofs, and a chimney surmounted by a witch's hat, the exterior of the quirky buildings of the Samantha Martha residence undoubtedly evokes the macabre and colorful universe of Tim Burton and more particularly the town of Halloween that can be seen in the animated film The Nightmare Before Christmas by Henry Selick and whose appearance is taken from drawings made by Burton himself.
Do not hesitate to visit the residence by day and by night to discover two different aspects: during the day, its fairy-tale witch house side predominates, while at night, the facade is adorned with horrific shadows that give it a more sinister appearance.
Also, discover: Halloween in Japan and Alice in Wonderland Restaurants and Shops.
Apartments for rent
In the residence, be aware that behind the front door are 2 two-room apartments and two studios for rent; with a bit of luck, you may therefore be able to stay there for the more or less long term, provided, of course, that one of the apartments is available. It also seems reasonable to live there since the residence has a small garden decorated with a gazebo, benches, and flowerbeds whose plants are renewed each season.
Be careful, however, to disturb the residents, and you will not be able to enter the apartments, whose decoration is much soberer than the facade, nor in the enclosure of the residence. Note also that it is forbidden to park in front of the home or take photos without authorization.
See as well: Rent accommodation in Japan.
Address, timetable & access
Address
Timetable
30 min on foot from JR Sekishi Station (Enshu Line)