Built in 1914 to look like Kyoto, parked above Hollywood Boulevard
Our history
A palace, then a restaurant
In 1911 the Bernheimer brothers began construction of the hilltop mansion to house their priceless collection of Asian treasures. Hundreds of craftsmen were brought in to recreate the replica of a palace located in the “Yamashiro” province mountains near Kyoto, Japan. The house was completed in 1914, 250 feet above Hollywood Boulevard. What was once the entrance and driveway now carries glass windows on the front left and right sides of the building, so that diners look straight out at the skyline; the room that is now the sushi bar looks through to the entrance and lounge exactly as it did over 50 years ago.
From the collection
Still on the property
- The 600-year-old pagoda — Flown in from Japan and currently the oldest structure in California.
- The garden courtyard — An open-air courtyard with a pond and koi fish approximately 60 years old.
- A 100-year-old bicycle — One of the most famous artifacts still held in the collection.
- Cherry blossom walls — Remodeling in 2017 brought back a wooden cherry blossom design, custom made for the 100th anniversary.