Sankei-en（三溪園）
A Modern Garden Preserving Japan’s Architectural Heritage Sankei-en is a spacious traditional Japanese landscape garden located in Yokohama. Though one of Japan’s youngest gardens, it reflects centuries of history through its carefully transplanted buildings and timeless design. The garden was created by Sankei Hara, a wealthy silk merchant, who began construction in 1902 and opened […]
Tonogayato Teien（殿ヶ谷戸庭園）
An early 20th-century garden retreat just outside Tokyo Tonogayato Teien is a Japanese landscape garden located near Tokyo, built between 1914 and 1916 during the Taisho period. Originally, the garden served as the private residence of the vice president of the Manchurian Railway Company. Later, in 1929, a member of the influential Iwasaki family acquired […]
Kyu-Asakurake House（旧朝倉家住宅）
A Tranquil Taishō-Era Retreat in Shibuya Nestled amidst the vibrant streets of Shibuya, the Kyū-Asakura House offers a serene glimpse into early 20th-century Japan. Constructed in 1919 by Torajirō Asakura, a prominent politician and chairman of the Tokyo Prefectural Assembly, this two-story wooden residence exemplifies Taishō-era architecture. Remarkably, it withstood both the Great Kantō Earthquake […]
Kyu-Furukawa Teien（旧古河庭園）
A Harmonious Blend of Western Elegance and Japanese Serenity Kyū-Furukawa Teien is a historic garden in Tokyo’s Kita Ward, celebrated for its rare blend of Western architecture and a traditional Japanese landscape. The estate dates back to 1917, when Baron Toranosuke Furukawa, a powerful industrialist, commissioned its construction. Josiah Conder, a British architect who profoundly […]
Ōhashi-ke（大橋家庭園）
Historic private garden in Fushimi Inari with Kyoto’s oldest Suikinkutsu The Ōhashi-ke garden lies quietly in the Fushimi Inari area of southern Kyoto. Although small, it offers a rare feature: Japan’s oldest Suikinkutsu (水琴窟), a hidden water instrument that creates delicate sounds. A Suikinkutsu is a jar buried under a basin. As water drips through […]
Murin-an（無鄰菴）
A Meiji-Period Strolling Garden in Kyoto Murin-an (無鄰菴) is a beautifully preserved strolling garden from the Meiji period (1868–1912). Built between 1894 and 1896 by Yamagata Aritomo, it reflects a harmonious blend of Japanese tradition and Western influence. Although Yamagata admired classical Japanese gardens, he was equally captivated by Western ideas. This unique blend is […]
Shirakawa-in Garden（白河院庭園）
Step Into Serenity at Shirakawa-in Garden Tucked away in Kyoto’s peaceful Higashiyama district, Shirakawa-in Garden offers a rare blend of imperial history and modern elegance. While the garden belongs to a high-end ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), its historical roots run deep—stretching back to the early Heian period (794–1185). This land once hosted aristocratic villas, including […]