September 2, 2025

Did you know? September 2

The Japanese House: From Kobe with Love

Ingham is home to a house with serious travel miles. Built in Kobe, Japan in 1887, it was shipped to Brisbane by Judge George William Paul, who admired its climate-friendly design.

Featuring sliding paper walls and intricate timber joinery, it stood out in New Farm before becoming a Country Women’s Association HQ.

In 1962, Dr Pam Markwell saved it from demolition, buying it for £600 and relocating it to Ingham piece by piece. Now nestled in Ingham, it’s the only known traditional Japanese house in Australia. With no glass windows and a roof adorned with Buddhist symbols, it’s a rare blend of elegance and endurance.

Heritage-listed and lovingly restored, it’s a quiet marvel that bridges cultures and centuries—proof that good design travels well.