Former Self-Defense Force Barracks

The Former Self-Defense Force Barracks, known in Japanese as 旧師団長官舎 (Former Division Commander's Official Residence), is a historic building in Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Constructed in 1910 as the official residence for the commander of the 13th Division of the Imperial Japanese Army, it was later used by the U.S. Army and then by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force until 1991. In 1993 it was relocated to its current site in Ōmachi, Joetsu, and registered as a Joetsu City Cultural Property in 1994. After a major renovation in 2021, it opened as the restaurant Ellis, offering omakase courses that blend local ingredients with the historic atmosphere of the building and its approximately 500-tsubo garden. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner, with courses priced at 7,700 yen, 11,000 yen, and 14,300 yen, and can accommodate up to 35 seated or 60 standing guests. The building is a rare surviving example of Meiji-era Western-style architecture in Joetsu and is valued both as a cultural asset and as a dining destination.

The Former Self-Defense Force Barracks, formally known as the Former Division Commander's Official Residence (旧師団長官舎), was built in 1910 in Takada City (now part of Joetsu), Niigata Prefecture. It was constructed on the orders of Nagaoka Gaishi, the third commander of the 13th Division of the Imperial Japanese Army, who took up his post in June 1910 and instructed the construction of the residence in July; it was completed in November of that year. The building is a two-story structure in a mixed Japanese-Western style, with the first floor in Western style and the second floor in Japanese style. After the 13th Division was disbanded due to the Ugaki military reduction, the building was used as a brigade commander's residence. Following the end of World War II in 1945, the U.S. Army occupied the facility in September, using it primarily for senior officers. From 1948, the U.S. Army Advisory Group used the residence. Until 1991, it served as an officers' dormitory for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force at the Takada Garrison. In 1991, dismantling and relocation work began, and in April 1993 the building was moved to its current location in Ōmachi 2-chome, Joetsu, to preserve Meiji-era Western-style architecture in the city. At the time of its opening as a museum, the interior, exterior, and furnishings were restored. In 1994, it was registered as a Joetsu City Cultural Property. In 2021, marking the 111th anniversary of its construction, a large-scale renovation was carried out, and the building began a new chapter as a restaurant named Ellis, leveraging its cultural property status. The restaurant offers omakase courses featuring local ingredients, and the approximately 500-tsubo circuit-style garden provides seasonal views for diners.

• 2021

  Large-scale renovation completed; building opens as restaurant Ellis.

• 1994

  Registered as a Joetsu City Cultural Property.

• 1993

  Building is relocated to Ōmachi 2-chome, Joetsu, and opens as a historical museum.

• 1991

  Dismantling and relocation work begins; building ceases use as JGSDF officers' dormitory.

• 1948

  U.S. Army Advisory Group begins using the residence.

• 1945

  U.S. Army occupies the facility after the end of World War II.

• 1925

  After the Ugaki military reduction disbands the 13th Division, the building is used as a brigade commander's residence.

• 1910

  Construction of the 13th Division commander's official residence completed in Takada City (now Joetsu).

• 1910

  Nagaoka Gaishi assumes post as 13th Division commander and orders construction.

A restaurant set within a registered cultural property, offering a unique dining experience that combines historical architecture and a traditional garden with modern Japanese cuisine.

• Omakase course (10–13 dishes)

  A chef's choice course featuring local ingredients from the Joetsu region.

• Lunch course at 11,000 yen

  Lunch course available from 11:30.

• Lunch course at 7,700 yen

  Lunch course available from 11:30.

• Dinner course at 11,000 yen

  Dinner course available from 18:00.

• Lunch course at 14,300 yen

  Lunch course available from 11:30.

1. 1レストラン エリス - 大切な日のレストランr323403.gorp.jp
2. 2Former Self-Defense Force Barracks - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3旧師団長官舎 (上越市) - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org