High up in L.A.’s glamorous Hollywood Hills neighborhood, you’ll find an ancient structure three times older than the state of California itself. It’s an authentic Japanese pagoda dating back to the 14th century, which two brothers imported to their fanciful Asian-inspired estate in the early 1900s. Find it at a storied Los Angeles landmark and Japanese-inspired restaurant with a compelling past: Yamashiro Hollywood.
Even if you’ve never visited this intriguing Los Angeles attraction, you might recognize these Yamashiro Hollywood photos due to cameos in numerous blockbuster films, or simply from word of mouth. Here we’ve dived into the century-long history and lore of the Hollywood icon.
What is the history of Yamashiro?
How old is Yamashiro Hollywood?
In the early 1900s, German-born brothers Adolph and Eugene Bernheimer ran a successful New York enterprise importing Asian goods to the States. In 1911 they purchased a Hollywood knoll and began constructing an extravagant estate called “Yamashiro,” which means “mountain palace” in Japanese. The design followed a mix of primarily Japanese and Chinese elements, taking inspiration from a palace in the Yamashiro province of Japan near Kyoto. Although Yamashiro has undergone countless changes, it’s over 110 years old.
The Bernheimer brothers imported a small tiered pagoda from Japan as one of many exciting elements on the property. These days you can still find the now 600-year-old relic next to the property’s Pagoda Bar and swimming pool. Pagodas are historically used as Buddhist places of worship, but this one is best known for being the oldest structure in California. It’s a pretty striking sum when you realize that the state itself is less than 200 years old.
If the ancient pagoda doesn’t tip you off as to the Yamashiro property’s ambitious design, the rest of the grounds is just as remarkable. The brothers decorated the 10-room main house with ornate teak and cedar carvings and gold lacquer and then filled it with heaps of imported Asian art. They adorned the sprawling terraces and courtyard with thousands of plants and trees, exotic animals, koi ponds, waterfalls, and even a miniature Japanese village. There was also a cave-like “Monkey House” built to hold a troop of monkeys, and a ceremonial “Summer House” flanked by a massive antique Buddha.
Construction finished on the Bernheimer estate in 1914, just a year after the California Alien Land Law passed. The law prohibited “aliens ineligible for citizenship” from owning or leasing land long-term. It was primarily directed at Japanese immigrants but affected many immigrants of Asian ancestry. Gimmick notwithstanding, the estate stood out for uplifting Asian aesthetics and design at this point in history.
The 400 Club and World War II
The Bernheimer brothers enjoyed only a brief residency at Yamashiro Hollywood. They sold the estate in 1922 and auctioned off most of the property’s art, and Eugene died at the end of 1924.
Thus began a series of curious roles for the property over the next few decades. Famously, Hollywood’s elite 400 Club used Yamashiro as a headquarters where A-listers like Buster Collier, BeBe Daniels, or Roscoe Arbuckle mingled. It eventually opened to the public as a scenic tourist attraction.
However, World War II brought with it a destructive wave of anti-Japanese sentiment throughout the country, and vandals stripped many of the estate’s remaining decorative elements. The owners changed its name from “Hollywood Japanese Gardens” to “Hollywood Oriental Gardens,” and after Pearl Harbor, they covered and painted over much of the remaining Asian architecture. The estate then served as a military boy’s school and was converted into apartment units before falling into disrepair.
Restoration and comeback of Yamashiro
In 1948, Thomas O. Glover bought the Yamashiro property intending to raze it to the ground. The story goes that Glover discovered some of the original woodwork and ornate wallpaper, and instead decided to restore the mansion to its original glory.
Glover opened the “Hollywood Hill Club” cocktail lounge in the back of the property, which eventually grew into today’s Yamashiro Hollywood restaurant.
What movies were filmed at Yamashiro?
You may recognize Yamashiro Hollywood from its distinctive cameos in Kill Bill, Memoirs of a Geisha, Gone in 60 Seconds, Sayonara, Perry Mason, and many more films and TV shows.
What is Yamashiro known for?
The famed hill top restaurant is now widely regarded as one of the most beautiful restaurants in Los Angeles, serving delicious Japanese-inspired cuisine. Yamashiro Hollywood’s menu is extensive, encompassing everything from bountiful brunch to tenderloin steaks and handcrafted cocktails. Celebrities and locals alike look forward to an exquisite sushi meal in the splendid garden setting overlooking the L.A. skyline.
Is there a dress code at Yamashiro?
Although Yamashiro doesn’t have an official dress code, people generally step it up a little with smart casual attire. A good bet is to avoid athletic attire, beach attire, flip flops, and the like.
Where is Yamashiro Hollywood?
Find Yamashiro Hollywood at 1999 N Sycamore Ave, now part of the Hollywood Hills Hotel. The restaurant is open daily for dinner service from 5-11 PM, and on weekends for lunch from 11 am-2:30 PM.