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  • 48. The Kyu-Kagoshima Bosekisho Gishikan 旧鹿児島紡績所技師館  or Kagoshima Spinning Engineers House is like its counterparts in other Japanese towns such as the foreigners' houses in Yokohama, Nagasaki or Kobe known as Ijinkan 'Foreigners Residence'. This classic Meiji period building was constructed in 1866 to house British engineers and is one of the earliest Western-style buildings in Japan.
    48.MEIJI-BOSESHIKOI-01.jpg
  • Shimadzu Kiriko Glassworks, now houses a Starbucks - The Shuseikan industrial complex was important in the modernization of Japan. It was here that Western industrial technology was first introduced to Japan, studied, developed and used in the creation of modern factories. Toay most of the buildings have been turned into a museum where visitors an learn about the 700 year history of the Shimadzu family and the first steps towards the industrialization of Japan. Shoko Shuseikan was one of the very first factories in Japan, built by Shimadzu Nariakira towards increasing the production and wealth of the country in line with the government plan during the Meiji era. Reverberatory furnaces, glass factories and shipyards were created. These foundations led to the  development of the modern Japanese manufacturing industry.
    meiji-industrial-7.jpg
  • The Shuseikan industrial complex was important in the modernization of Japan. It was here that Western industrial technology was first introduced to Japan, studied, developed and used in the creation of modern factories. Toay most of the buildings have been turned into a museum where visitors an learn about the 700 year history of the Shimadzu family and the first steps towards the industrialization of Japan. Shoko Shuseikan was one of the very first factories in Japan, built by Shimadzu Nariakira towards increasing the production and wealth of the country in line with the government plan during the Meiji era. Reverberatory furnaces, glass factories and shipyards were created. These foundations led to the  development of the modern Japanese manufacturing industry.
    meiji-industrial-8.jpg
  • Shoko Shuseikan was one of the very first factories in Japan, built by Shimadzu Nariakira towards increasing the production and wealth of the country in line with the government plan during the Meiji era. Reverberatory furnaces, glass factories and shipyards were created. These foundations led to the  development of the modern Japanese manufacturing industry.
    meiji-industrial-2.jpg
  • Western Style Meiji Period Home at The Edo Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum is an open air museum in Koganei Park that exhibits a range of retro historic buildings from Tokyo.  The buildings were relocated or reconstructed here to preserve architectural history.  Since the Edo period, Tokyo lost many special buildings because of fires, floods, earthquakes and war.  The buildings exhibited are: an elegant former residence, a farmhouse, a public bathhouse, Meiji period homes, western style homes of the era, an old fire watchtower and a police box.
    edo-tokyo-open-air-museum-5.jpg
  • The Kyu-Kagoshima Bosekisho Gishikan or Old Kagoshima Spinning Engineers House is like its counterparts in other Japanese towns such as the foreigners' houses in Yokohama, Nagasaki or Kobe simply known as Ijinkan "Foreigners Residence".  This classic Meiji period building was constructed in 1866 to house seven British engineers and one of the earliest Western-style wooden buildings in Japan.It was designated as an important cultural asset of Japan in 1953 and registered as UNESCO World Heritage as one of the sites of Industrial Meiji Japan in July 2013.
    Ijinkan-kagoshima-05.jpg
  • The Kyu-Kagoshima Bosekisho Gishikan or Old Kagoshima Spinning Engineers House is like its counterparts in other Japanese towns such as the foreigners' houses in Yokohama, Nagasaki or Kobe simply known as Ijinkan "Foreigners Residence".  This classic Meiji period building was constructed in 1866 to house seven British engineers and one of the earliest Western-style wooden buildings in Japan.It was designated as an important cultural asset of Japan in 1953 and registered as UNESCO World Heritage as one of the sites of Industrial Meiji Japan in July 2013.
    Ijinkan-kagoshima-04.jpg
  • The Kyu-Kagoshima Bosekisho Gishikan or Old Kagoshima Spinning Engineers House is like its counterparts in other Japanese towns such as the foreigners' houses in Yokohama, Nagasaki or Kobe simply known as Ijinkan "Foreigners Residence".  This classic Meiji period building was constructed in 1866 to house seven British engineers and one of the earliest Western-style wooden buildings in Japan.It was designated as an important cultural asset of Japan in 1953 and registered as UNESCO World Heritage as one of the sites of Industrial Meiji Japan in July 2013.
    Ijinkan-kagoshima-01.jpg
  • The Kyu-Kagoshima Bosekisho Gishikan or Old Kagoshima Spinning Engineers House is like its counterparts in other Japanese towns such as the foreigners' houses in Yokohama, Nagasaki or Kobe simply known as Ijinkan "Foreigners Residence".  This classic Meiji period building was constructed in 1866 to house seven British engineers and one of the earliest Western-style wooden buildings in Japan.It was designated as an important cultural asset of Japan in 1953 and registered as UNESCO World Heritage as one of the sites of Industrial Meiji Japan in July 2013.
    Ijinkan-kagoshima-02.jpg
  • Omihachiman Bori is Omi Hachiman’s historic district where there are many wonderful old buildings and canals. Along Shinmachi-dori, Nagaharacho-dori and Hachimanbori townhouses and warehouses from the Edo and Meiji periods are arrayed along tiny alleys and canals.  This district has long been protected as individual citizens' property, but these days the city of Omi Hachiman helps protect and nurture these areas as a shared property of Omihachiman citizens.
    omi-hachiman-canal-1.jpg
  • Omihachiman Bori is Omi Hachiman’s historic district where there are many wonderful old buildings and canals. Along Shinmachi-dori, Nagaharacho-dori and Hachimanbori townhouses and warehouses from the Edo and Meiji periods are arrayed along tiny alleys and canals.  This district has long been protected as individual citizens' property, but these days the city of Omi Hachiman helps protect and nurture these areas as a shared property of Omihachiman citizens.
    omi-hachiman-canal-3.jpg
  • Omihachiman Bori is Omi Hachiman’s historic district where there are many wonderful old buildings and canals. Along Shinmachi-dori, Nagaharacho-dori and Hachimanbori townhouses and warehouses from the Edo and Meiji periods are arrayed along tiny alleys and canals.  This district has long been protected as individual citizens' property, but these days the city of Omi Hachiman helps protect and nurture these areas as a shared property of Omihachiman citizens.
    omi-hachiman-canal-2.jpg
  • Omihachiman Bori is Omi Hachiman’s historic district where there are many wonderful old buildings and canals. Along Shinmachi-dori, Nagaharacho-dori and Hachimanbori townhouses and warehouses from the Edo and Meiji periods are arrayed along tiny alleys and canals.  This district has long been protected as individual citizens' property, but these days the city of Omi Hachiman helps protect and nurture these areas as a shared property of Omihachiman citizens.
    omi-hachiman-bori-04.jpg
  • Omihachiman Bori is Omi Hachiman’s historic district where there are many wonderful old buildings and canals. Along Shinmachi-dori, Nagaharacho-dori and Hachimanbori townhouses and warehouses from the Edo and Meiji periods are arrayed along tiny alleys and canals.  This district has long been protected as individual citizens' property, but these days the city of Omi Hachiman helps protect and nurture these areas as a shared property of Omihachiman citizens.
    omi-hachiman-bori-02.jpg
  • Omihachiman Bori is Omi Hachiman’s historic district where there are many wonderful old buildings and canals. Along Shinmachi-dori, Nagaharacho-dori and Hachimanbori townhouses and warehouses from the Edo and Meiji periods are arrayed along tiny alleys and canals.  This district has long been protected as individual citizens' property, but these days the city of Omi Hachiman helps protect and nurture these areas as a shared property of Omihachiman citizens.
    omi-hachiman-canal-5.jpg
  • Omihachiman Bori is Omi Hachiman’s historic district where there are many wonderful old buildings and canals. Along Shinmachi-dori, Nagaharacho-dori and Hachimanbori townhouses and warehouses from the Edo and Meiji periods are arrayed along tiny alleys and canals.  This district has long been protected as individual citizens' property, but these days the city of Omi Hachiman helps protect and nurture these areas as a shared property of Omihachiman citizens.
    omi-hachiman-bori-03.jpg
  • Omihachiman Bori is Omi Hachiman’s historic district where there are many wonderful old buildings and canals. Along Shinmachi-dori, Nagaharacho-dori and Hachimanbori townhouses and warehouses from the Edo and Meiji periods are arrayed along tiny alleys and canals.  This district has long been protected as individual citizens' property, but these days the city of Omi Hachiman helps protect and nurture these areas as a shared property of Omihachiman citizens.
    omi-hachiman-bori-01.jpg
  • Sugekari Park Garden -  This Edo period daimyo garden was once the residence of the Oka clan then later in the Meiji period, a Japanese style teahouse was built adjacent to the garden with ponds, lanterns and waterfalls. The Wakan teahouse has a garden view and can be reserved for private events. It even has a suikinkutusu or a Japanese water harp.  Today Sugekari garden is a city park within Meguro ward of Tokyo city.
    sugekari-park-3.jpg
  • Sugekari Park Garden -  This Edo period daimyo garden was once the residence of the Oka clan then later in the Meiji period, a Japanese style teahouse was built adjacent to the garden with ponds, lanterns and waterfalls. The Wakan teahouse has a garden view and can be reserved for private events. It even has a suikinkutusu or a Japanese water harp.  Today Sugekari garden is a city park within Meguro ward of Tokyo city.
    sugekari-park-2.jpg
  • The end of Edo period  coincided with the appearance of ships from western powers in Japanese waters thanks to Admiral Perry  Japan felt that it faced an external threat and so consequently Shimadzu Nariakira promoted modernization and industrialization projects in Japan on an increasingly larger scale. He did this by constructing an industrial complex near Kagoshima “Shuseikan”. These days it is merely the main building of the Shoko ShuseikanMuseum.
    shoko-shuseikan-02.jpg
  • Sugekari Park Garden -  This Edo period daimyo garden was once the residence of the Oka clan then later in the Meiji period, a Japanese style teahouse was built adjacent to the garden with ponds, lanterns and waterfalls. The Wakan teahouse has a garden view and can be reserved for private events. It even has a suikinkutusu or a Japanese water harp.  Today Sugekari garden is a city park within Meguro ward of Tokyo city.
    sugekari-park-1.jpg
  • The end of Edo period  coincided with the appearance of ships from western powers in Japanese waters thanks to Admiral Perry  Japan felt that it faced an external threat and so consequently Shimadzu Nariakira promoted modernization and industrialization projects in Japan on an increasingly larger scale. He did this by constructing an industrial complex near Kagoshima “Shuseikan”. These days it is merely the main building of the Shoko ShuseikanMuseum.
    shoko-shuseikan-01.jpg
  • Hakuunkan is the former Yawata East School that was built by Yawata merchants in the Meiji era to enhance the education of local children.  Most of the cost was covered by citizen donations. Currently, it is used as a tourist information center and a citizen's gallery.  The townhouses that make up the townscape of Omi Hachiman are basically wooden buildings with gabled pier tiles. The front view consists of a lattice, a grid, and a cage window.  In addition, a large pine tree is placed in the garden facing the road to take in the greenery and give the landscape a sense of peace and well-being.
    omi-merchants-7.jpg
  • The end of Edo period  coincided with the appearance of ships from western powers in Japanese waters thanks to Admiral Perry  Japan felt that it faced an external threat and so consequently Shimadzu Nariakira promoted modernization and industrialization projects in Japan on an increasingly larger scale. He did this by constructing an industrial complex near Kagoshima “Shuseikan”. These days it is merely the main building of the Shoko ShuseikanMuseum.
    shoko-shuseikan-03.jpg
  • Hakuunkan is the former Yawata East School that was built by Yawata merchants in the Meiji era to enhance the education of local children.  Most of the cost was covered by citizen donations. Currently, it is used as a tourist information center and a citizen's gallery.  The townhouses that make up the townscape of Omi Hachiman are basically wooden buildings with gabled pier tiles. The front view consists of a lattice, a grid, and a cage window.  In addition, a large pine tree is placed in the garden facing the road to take in the greenery and give the landscape a sense of peace and well-being.
    omi-merchants-6.jpg
  • Old Fukuoka Prefectural Hall  was constructed in 1910 as a guest house for VIPS visiting the Kyushu and Okinawa Product Exhibition 13th Kyoshinkai. Its pseudo French Renaissance style mirrors many municipal buildings of the Meiji period in Japan. It has been designated as a national important cultural property as it is distinctive in that it is constructed of wood. The building has been used for the regional high court, as prefectural education office and now the site of a cafe and tourist attraction.
    Old-Fukuoka-Prefectural-Hall-2.jpg
  • Old Fukuoka Prefectural Hall  was constructed in 1910 as a guest house for VIPS visiting the Kyushu and Okinawa Product Exhibition 13th Kyoshinkai. Its pseudo French Renaissance style mirrors many municipal buildings of the Meiji period in Japan. It has been designated as a national important cultural property as it is distinctive in that it is constructed of wood.   The building has been used for the regional high court, as prefectural education office and now the site of a cafe and tourist attraction.
    Old-Fukuoka-Prefectural-Hall.jpg
  • The old Nagahama Station was built in 1882 and just a short walk from the new JR station. The building has been transformed into a museum. The original brick Meiji era station building stands intact and new buildings in the same style have been built housing old trains including a D51 steam train and an early ED70 diesel locomotive. Nagahama Railroad Square represents the original JR Nagahama Station Building, and claims to be the oldest station building still remaining in Japan. Inside you can get a taste of the original architecture while learning from exhibitions of steam locomotives and the longest model railway in Japan. Visitors can even try on uniforms worn by locomotive drivers and station staff or try driving a model train for yourself.
    station-square-nagahama-1.jpg
  • The old Nagahama Station was built in 1882 and just a short walk from the new JR station. The building has been transformed into a museum. The original brick Meiji era station building stands intact and new buildings in the same style have been built housing old trains including a D51 steam train and an early ED70 diesel locomotive. Nagahama Railroad Square represents the original JR Nagahama Station Building, and claims to be the oldest station building still remaining in Japan. Inside you can get a taste of the original architecture while learning from exhibitions of steam locomotives and the longest model railway in Japan. Visitors can even try on uniforms worn by locomotive drivers and station staff or try driving a model train for yourself.
    station-square-nagahama-2.jpg
  • Shoko Shuseikan was fundamentally important in the modernization of Japan. It was here that Western industrial technology was first introduced to Japan, studied, developed and used in the creation of modern factories. Shoko Shuseikan is a 150 year old stone building originally used as a machine factory. Ow turned into a museum where visitors an learn about the 700 year history of the Shimadzu family and the first steps towards the industrialization of Japan. Shoko Shuseikan was one of the very first factories in Japan, built by Shimadzu Nariakira towards increasing the production and wealth of the country in line with the government plan during the Meiji era. Reverberatory furnaces, glass factories and shipyards were created. These foundations led to the  development of the modern Japanese manufacturing industry.
    Shoko-Shuseikan-03.jpg
  • Shoko Shuseikan was fundamentally important in the modernization of Japan. It was here that Western industrial technology was first introduced to Japan, studied, developed and used in the creation of modern factories. Shoko Shuseikan is a 150 year old stone building originally used as a machine factory. Ow turned into a museum where visitors an learn about the 700 year history of the Shimadzu family and the first steps towards the industrialization of Japan.  Shoko Shuseikan was one of the very first factories in Japan, built by Shimadzu Nariakira towards increasing the production and wealth of the country in line with the government plan during the Meiji era. Reverberatory furnaces, glass factories and shipyards were created. These foundations led to the  development of the modern Japanese manufacturing industry.
    Shoko-Shuseikan-01.jpg
  • Built in 1888, the old Hokkaido Government Building is known to Sapporo residents as "Red Bricks" or akarenga. It has an octagonal dome the architecture of which was borrowed from that of the Massachusetts State House. The building was constructed  of local materials.  When completed, it was one of the largest and tallest buildings in Japan and symbolized the prestige and importance the Meiji Government placed on the development of Hokkaido.
    old-hokkaido-government-02.jpg
  • Ijinkan Foreigners Mansion was officially called the Bosekisho Gishikan Old Kagoshima Spinning Engineers House.  The building resembles  its counterparts in other Japanese towns such as the foreigners' houses in Nagasaki and Kobe simply known as Ijinkan, Foreigners Residence. The Ijinkan was constructed in 1866 to house seven British engineers as part of Shimadzu and the government’s drive to modernize Japan. The Shuseikan industrial complex was important in the modernization of Japan. It was here that Western industrial technology was first introduced to Japan, studied, developed and used in the creation of modern factories. Today the buildings have been turned into a museum where visitors an learn about the 700 year history of the Shimadzu family and the first steps towards the industrialization of Japan. Shoko Shuseikan was one of the very first factories in Japan for the purpose of increasing the production and wealth of Japan iafter centuries of isolation. Reverberatory furnaces, mechanical silk looms, glass factories and shipyards were created. These foundations led to the  development of the modern Japanese manufacturing industry.
    meiji-industrial-20.jpg
  • Shimadzu Kiriko Glassworks - The Shuseikan industrial complex was important in the modernization of Japan. It was here that Western industrial technology was first introduced to Japan, studied, developed and used in the creation of modern factories. Today the buildings have been turned into a museum where visitors an learn about the 700 year history of the Shimadzu family and the first steps towards the industrialization of Japan. Shoko Shuseikan was one of the very first factories in Japan for the purpose of increasing the production and wealth of Japan iafter centuries of isolation. Reverberatory furnaces, mechanical silk looms, glass factories and shipyards were created. These foundations led to the  development of the modern Japanese manufacturing industry.
    meiji-industrial-6.jpg
  • Interior of the Ijinkan Foreigners Mansion was officially called the Bosekisho Gishikan Old Kagoshima Spinning Engineers House.  The building resembles  its counterparts in other Japanese towns such as the foreigners' houses in Nagasaki and Kobe simply known as Ijinkan, Foreigners Residence. The Ijinkan was constructed in 1866 to house seven British engineers as part of Shimadzu and the government’s drive to modernize Japan. The Shuseikan industrial complex was important in the modernization of Japan. It was here that Western industrial technology was first introduced to Japan, studied, developed and used in the creation of modern factories. Today the buildings have been turned into a museum where visitors an learn about the 700 year history of the Shimadzu family and the first steps towards the industrialization of Japan. Shoko Shuseikan was one of the very first factories in Japan for the purpose of increasing the production and wealth of Japan iafter centuries of isolation. Reverberatory furnaces, mechanical silk looms, glass factories and shipyards were created. These foundations led to the  development of the modern Japanese manufacturing industry.
    meiji-industrial-17.jpg
  • Interior of the Ijinkan Foreigners Mansion was officially called the Bosekisho Gishikan Old Kagoshima Spinning Engineers House.  The building resembles  its counterparts in other Japanese towns such as the foreigners' houses in Nagasaki and Kobe simply known as Ijinkan, Foreigners Residence. The Ijinkan was constructed in 1866 to house seven British engineers as part of Shimadzu and the government’s drive to modernize Japan.  The Shuseikan industrial complex was important in the modernization of Japan. It was here that Western industrial technology was first introduced to Japan, studied, developed and used in the creation of modern factories. Today the buildings have been turned into a museum where visitors an learn about the 700 year history of the Shimadzu family and the first steps towards the industrialization of Japan. Shoko Shuseikan was one of the very first factories in Japan for the purpose of increasing the production and wealth of Japan iafter centuries of isolation. Reverberatory furnaces, mechanical silk looms, glass factories and shipyards were created. These foundations led to the  development of the modern Japanese manufacturing industry.
    meiji-industrial-11.jpg
  • Kyu Furukawa Garden was originally the domain of a Meiji Period notable Mutsu Munemitsu. but later became the property of the Furukawa family.  Ogawa Jihei  sometimes known as Niwashi Ueji designed the garden renowned for its beauty. The Furukawa garden is regarded as an example of gardens of the Taisho Period of Japan.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-44.jpg
  • JR Nikko Station is the oldest wooden building in JR East. Frank Lloyd Wright designed this building, who also designed the former Imperial Hotel, which also was built with the Oya stone. Nikko Station is well known as a model of Meiji period architecture.
    JR-nikko-station-3.jpg
  • JR Nikko Station is the oldest wooden building in JR East. Frank Lloyd Wright designed this building, who also designed the former Imperial Hotel, which also was built with the Oya stone. Nikko Station is well known as a model of Meiji period architecture.
    nikko-station-1.jpg
  • JR Nikko Station is the oldest wooden building in JR East. Frank Lloyd Wright designed this building, who also designed the former Imperial Hotel, which also was built with the Oya stone. Nikko Station is well known as a model of Meiji period architecture.
    JR-nikko-station-4.jpg
  • JR Nikko Station is the oldest wooden building in JR East. Frank Lloyd Wright designed this building, who also designed the former Imperial Hotel, which also was built with the Oya stone. Nikko Station is well known as a model of Meiji period architecture.
    JR-nikko-station-2.jpg
  • Kyu Furukawa Garden was originally the domain of a Meiji Period notable Mutsu Munemitsu. but later became the property of the Furukawa family.  Ogawa Jihei  sometimes known as Niwashi Ueji designed the garden renowned for its beauty. The Furukawa garden is regarded as an example of gardens of the Taisho Period of Japan.
    kyu-furukawa-13.jpg
  • Kyu Furukawa Garden was originally the domain of a Meiji Period notable Mutsu Munemitsu. but later became the property of the Furukawa family.  Ogawa Jihei  sometimes known as Niwashi Ueji designed the garden renowned for its beauty. The Furukawa garden is regarded as an example of gardens of the Taisho Period of Japan.
    kyu-furukawa-10.jpg
  • Kyu Furukawa Garden was originally the domain of a Meiji Period notable Mutsu Munemitsu. but later became the property of the Furukawa family.  Ogawa Jihei  sometimes known as Niwashi Ueji designed the garden renowned for its beauty. The Furukawa garden is regarded as an example of gardens of the Taisho Period of Japan.
    kyu-furukawa-14.jpg
  • Kyu Furukawa Garden was originally the domain of a Meiji Period notable Mutsu Munemitsu. but later became the property of the Furukawa family.  Ogawa Jihei  sometimes known as Niwashi Ueji designed the garden renowned for its beauty. The Furukawa garden is regarded as an example of gardens of the Taisho Period of Japan.
    kyu-furukawa-amber-2.jpg
  • Kyu Furukawa Garden was originally the domain of a Meiji Period notable Mutsu Munemitsu. but later became the property of the Furukawa family.  Ogawa Jihei  sometimes known as Niwashi Ueji designed the garden renowned for its beauty. The Furukawa garden is regarded as an example of gardens of the Taisho Period of Japan.
    kyu-furukawa-amber-1.jpg
  • Kyu Furukawa Garden was originally the domain of a Meiji Period notable Mutsu Munemitsu. but later became the property of the Furukawa family.  Ogawa Jihei  sometimes known as Niwashi Ueji designed the garden renowned for its beauty. The Furukawa garden is regarded as an example of gardens of the Taisho Period of Japan.
    kyu-furukawa-11.jpg
  • JR Nikko Station is the oldest wooden building in JR East. Frank Lloyd Wright designed this building, who also designed the former Imperial Hotel, which also was built with the Oya stone. Nikko Station is well known as a model of Meiji period architecture.
    JR-nikko-station-1.jpg
  • Koki-an Garden in Odawara was designed by an art lover and politician Aritomo Yamagata.  Apart from this lovely strolling garden, Yamagata's reputation is somewhat murky.  Nevertheless, it was built for his 70s year as a retreat for himself, thus its name Koki-an which means 70 years hill, reflecting his age, status and the topography.  A stream runs through the lower parts of the garden, flanked by a wooden walkway,, thus many people compare it to Murin-an in Kyoto.  For many years the garden was not open to the public, though now it has limited visiting on Sundays only.
    koki-an.jpg
  • Old Taisha Station - The JR Taisha Line was a branch line of JR West that connected Izumoshi Station on the Sanin Line with Izumo Taisha in Izumo.  This tiny branch was only seven kilometers long with only three stations, and so it was closed in 1990 due to competition from a private railway that goes closer to Izumo Taisha Shine. Izumo Taisha Station opened in 1924 and doesn’t incorporate any western architectural features - unlike other stations built at that time.  Izumo Taisha Station is registered as an Important Cultural Property and only serves as a museum and tourism office for the town.
    old-taisha-station-6.jpg
  • Old Taisha Station - The JR Taisha Line was a branch line of JR West that connected Izumoshi Station on the Sanin Line with Izumo Taisha in Izumo.  This tiny branch was only seven kilometers long with only three stations, and so it was closed in 1990 due to competition from a private railway that goes closer to Izumo Taisha Shine. Izumo Taisha Station opened in 1924 and doesn’t incorporate any western architectural features - unlike other stations built at that time.  Izumo Taisha Station is registered as an Important Cultural Property and only serves as a museum and tourism office for the town.
    old-taisha-station-5.jpg
  • Old Taisha Station - The JR Taisha Line was a branch line of JR West that connected Izumoshi Station on the Sanin Line with Izumo Taisha in Izumo.  This tiny branch was only seven kilometers long with only three stations, and so it was closed in 1990 due to competition from a private railway that goes closer to Izumo Taisha Shine. Izumo Taisha Station opened in 1924 and doesn’t incorporate any western architectural features - unlike other stations built at that time.  Izumo Taisha Station is registered as an Important Cultural Property and only serves as a museum and tourism office for the town.
    old-taisha-station-4.jpg
  • Old Taisha Station - The JR Taisha Line was a branch line of JR West that connected Izumoshi Station on the Sanin Line with Izumo Taisha in Izumo.  This tiny branch was only seven kilometers long with only three stations, and so it was closed in 1990 due to competition from a private railway that goes closer to Izumo Taisha Shine. Izumo Taisha Station opened in 1924 and doesn’t incorporate any western architectural features - unlike other stations built at that time.  Izumo Taisha Station is registered as an Important Cultural Property and only serves as a museum and tourism office for the town.
    old-taisha-station-3.jpg
  • Koki-an Garden in Odawara was designed by an art lover and politician Aritomo Yamagata.  Apart from this lovely strolling garden, Yamagata's reputation is somewhat murky.  Nevertheless, it was built for his 70s year as a retreat for himself, thus its name Koki-an which means 70 years hill, reflecting his age, status and the topography.  A stream runs through the lower parts of the garden, flanked by a wooden walkway,, thus many people compare it to Murin-an in Kyoto.  For many years the garden was not open to the public, though now it has limited visiting on Sundays only.
    koki-an-2.jpg
  • Old Taisha Station - The JR Taisha Line was a branch line of JR West that connected Izumoshi Station on the Sanin Line with Izumo Taisha in Izumo.  This tiny branch was only seven kilometers long with only three stations, and so it was closed in 1990 due to competition from a private railway that goes closer to Izumo Taisha Shine. Izumo Taisha Station opened in 1924 and doesn’t incorporate any western architectural features - unlike other stations built at that time.  Izumo Taisha Station is registered as an Important Cultural Property and only serves as a museum and tourism office for the town.
    old-taisha-station-2.jpg
  • Old Taisha Station - The JR Taisha Line was a branch line of JR West that connected Izumoshi Station on the Sanin Line with Izumo Taisha in Izumo.  This tiny branch was only seven kilometers long with only three stations, and so it was closed in 1990 due to competition from a private railway that goes closer to Izumo Taisha Shine. Izumo Taisha Station opened in 1924 and doesn’t incorporate any western architectural features - unlike other stations built at that time.  Izumo Taisha Station is registered as an Important Cultural Property and only serves as a museum and tourism office for the town.
    old-taisha-station-1.jpg
  • Koki-an Garden in Odawara was designed by an art lover and politician Aritomo Yamagata.  Apart from this lovely strolling garden, Yamagata's reputation is somewhat murky.  Nevertheless, it was built for his 70s year as a retreat for himself, thus its name Koki-an which means 70 years hill, reflecting his age, status and the topography.  A stream runs through the lower parts of the garden, flanked by a wooden walkway,, thus many people compare it to Murin-an in Kyoto.  For many years the garden was not open to the public, though now it has limited visiting on Sundays only.
    koki-an-6.jpg
  • Koki-an Garden in Odawara was designed by an art lover and politician Aritomo Yamagata.  Apart from this lovely strolling garden, Yamagata's reputation is somewhat murky.  Nevertheless, it was built for his 70s year as a retreat for himself, thus its name Koki-an which means 70 years hill, reflecting his age, status and the topography.  A stream runs through the lower parts of the garden, flanked by a wooden walkway,, thus many people compare it to Murin-an in Kyoto.  For many years the garden was not open to the public, though now it has limited visiting on Sundays only.
    koki-an-3.jpg
  • Koki-an Garden in Odawara was designed by an art lover and politician Aritomo Yamagata.  Apart from this lovely strolling garden, Yamagata's reputation is somewhat murky.  Nevertheless, it was built for his 70s year as a retreat for himself, thus its name Koki-an which means 70 years hill, reflecting his age, status and the topography.  A stream runs through the lower parts of the garden, flanked by a wooden walkway,, thus many people compare it to Murin-an in Kyoto.  For many years the garden was not open to the public, though now it has limited visiting on Sundays only.
    koki-an-4.jpg
  • Koki-an Garden in Odawara was designed by an art lover and politician Aritomo Yamagata.  Apart from this lovely strolling garden, Yamagata's reputation is somewhat murky.  Nevertheless, it was built for his 70s year as a retreat for himself, thus its name Koki-an which means 70 years hill, reflecting his age, status and the topography.  A stream runs through the lower parts of the garden, flanked by a wooden walkway,, thus many people compare it to Murin-an in Kyoto.  For many years the garden was not open to the public, though now it has limited visiting on Sundays only.
    koki-an-t.jpg
  • Bupposhoryuji Temple Garden, Lake Suwa - The gardens are composed in different areas surrounding the temple main hall.  These are the remains of the Momoyama period with stone configurations and construction and in the center of the pond, tortoise islands have been added over the centureis.  Behind the main hall the garden continues and the pond shape of the Chinese character for heart.  Additionally there are other gardens added during the Meiji and Taisho periods, originally conceived for form a rose, no separated into two small ponds.  The Showa Period garden, slightly more modern, features a waterfall, and a statue is sculpted beside the waterfall.  The composition and arrangements of the plants are what makes this area of the garden special.  Taken as a whole, Bupposhoryuji Temple Garden needs to be considered a kind of triptiych collection of gardens, spanning different eras of Japanese history, rather than one single garden
    bupposhoryuji-5.jpg
  • Bupposhoryuji Temple Garden, Lake Suwa - The gardens are composed in different areas surrounding the temple main hall.  These are the remains of the Momoyama period with stone configurations and construction and in the center of the pond, tortoise islands have been added over the centureis.  Behind the main hall the garden continues and the pond shape of the Chinese character for heart.  Additionally there are other gardens added during the Meiji and Taisho periods, originally conceived for form a rose, no separated into two small ponds.  The Showa Period garden, slightly more modern, features a waterfall, and a statue is sculpted beside the waterfall.  The composition and arrangements of the plants are what makes this area of the garden special.  Taken as a whole, Bupposhoryuji Temple Garden needs to be considered a kind of triptiych collection of gardens, spanning different eras of Japanese history, rather than one single garden
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-45.jpg
  • Bupposhoryuji Temple Garden, Lake Suwa - The gardens are composed in different areas surrounding the temple main hall.  These are the remains of the Momoyama period with stone configurations and construction and in the center of the pond, tortoise islands have been added over the centureis.  Behind the main hall the garden continues and the pond shape of the Chinese character for heart.  Additionally there are other gardens added during the Meiji and Taisho periods, originally conceived for form a rose, no separated into two small ponds.  The Showa Period garden, slightly more modern, features a waterfall, and a statue is sculpted beside the waterfall.  The composition and arrangements of the plants are what makes this area of the garden special.  Taken as a whole, Bupposhoryuji Temple Garden is to be viewed as a collection of gardens, spanning different eras of Japanese history, rather than one single garden
    bupposhoryuji-6.jpg
  • Bupposhoryuji Temple Garden, Lake Suwa - The gardens are composed in different areas surrounding the temple main hall.  These are the remains of the Momoyama period with stone configurations and construction and in the center of the pond, tortoise islands have been added over the centureis.  Behind the main hall the garden continues and the pond shape of the Chinese character for heart.  Additionally there are other gardens added during the Meiji and Taisho periods, originally conceived for form a rose, no separated into two small ponds.  The Showa Period garden, slightly more modern, features a waterfall, and a statue is sculpted beside the waterfall.  The composition and arrangements of the plants are what makes this area of the garden special.  Taken as a whole, Bupposhoryuji Temple Garden needs to be considered a kind of triptiych collection of gardens, spanning different eras of Japanese history, rather than one single garden
    bupposhoryuji-1.jpg
  • Bupposhoryuji Temple Garden, Lake Suwa - The gardens are composed in different areas surrounding the temple main hall.  These are the remains of the Momoyama period with stone configurations and construction and in the center of the pond, tortoise islands have been added over the centureis.  Behind the main hall the garden continues and the pond shape of the Chinese character for heart.  Additionally there are other gardens added during the Meiji and Taisho periods, originally conceived for form a rose, no separated into two small ponds.  The Showa Period garden, slightly more modern, features a waterfall, and a statue is sculpted beside the waterfall.  The composition and arrangements of the plants are what makes this area of the garden special.  Taken as a whole, Bupposhoryuji Temple Garden needs to be considered a kind of triptiych collection of gardens, spanning different eras of Japanese history, rather than one single garden
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-250.jpg
  • Bupposhoryuji Temple Garden, Lake Suwa - The gardens are composed in different areas surrounding the temple main hall.  These are the remains of the Momoyama period with stone configurations and construction and in the center of the pond, tortoise islands have been added over the centureis.  Behind the main hall the garden continues and the pond shape of the Chinese character for heart.  Additionally there are other gardens added during the Meiji and Taisho periods, originally conceived for form a rose, no separated into two small ponds.  The Showa Period garden, slightly more modern, features a waterfall, and a statue is sculpted beside the waterfall.  The composition and arrangements of the plants are what makes this area of the garden special.  Taken as a whole, Bupposhoryuji Temple Garden needs to be considered a kind of triptiych collection of gardens, spanning different eras of Japanese history, rather than one single garden
    bupposhoryuji-3.jpg
  • Bupposhoryuji Temple Garden, Lake Suwa - The gardens are composed in different areas surrounding the temple main hall.  These are the remains of the Momoyama period with stone configurations and construction and in the center of the pond, tortoise islands have been added over the centureis.  Behind the main hall the garden continues and the pond shape of the Chinese character for heart.  Additionally there are other gardens added during the Meiji and Taisho periods, originally conceived for form a rose, no separated into two small ponds.  The Showa Period garden, slightly more modern, features a waterfall, and a statue is sculpted beside the waterfall.  The composition and arrangements of the plants are what makes this area of the garden special.  Taken as a whole, Bupposhoryuji Temple Garden needs to be considered a kind of triptiych collection of gardens, spanning different eras of Japanese history, rather than one single garden
    bupposhoryuji-2.jpg
  • During the Edo Period Kawagoe Honmaru Goten was built by Matsudaira Naritsune, a Kawagoe feudal leader and built the oldest building still standing in Kawagoe.  In 1639, the Tokugawa Shogunate leader  Matsudaira Nobutsuna implemented a large scale construction project to expand Kawagoe Castle. After the Meiji Restoration, Honmaru Goten was torn down and what remains today is only one part of what was reconstructed in 1848.  Most of the rooms at Honmaru Goten are surrounded by Japanese gardens.  Some corridors have small gardens next to them with many windows for the sake of air circulation.
    honmaru-goten-kawagoe-2.jpg
  • During the Edo Period Kawagoe Honmaru Goten was built by Matsudaira Naritsune, a Kawagoe feudal leader and built the oldest building still standing in Kawagoe.  In 1639, the Tokugawa Shogunate leader  Matsudaira Nobutsuna implemented a large scale construction project to expand Kawagoe Castle. After the Meiji Restoration, Honmaru Goten was torn down and what remains today is only one part of what was reconstructed in 1848.  Most of the rooms at Honmaru Goten are surrounded by Japanese gardens.  Some corridors have small gardens next to them with many windows for the sake of air circulation.
    honmaru-goten-kawagoe-12.jpg
  • During the Edo Period Kawagoe Honmaru Goten was built by Matsudaira Naritsune, a Kawagoe feudal leader and built the oldest building still standing in Kawagoe.  In 1639, the Tokugawa Shogunate leader  Matsudaira Nobutsuna implemented a large scale construction project to expand Kawagoe Castle. After the Meiji Restoration, Honmaru Goten was torn down and what remains today is only one part of what was reconstructed in 1848.  Most of the rooms at Honmaru Goten are surrounded by Japanese gardens.  Some corridors have small gardens next to them with many windows for the sake of air circulation.
    honmaru-goten-kawagoe-6.jpg
  • During the Edo Period Kawagoe Honmaru Goten was built by Matsudaira Naritsune, a Kawagoe feudal leader and built the oldest building still standing in Kawagoe.  In 1639, the Tokugawa Shogunate leader  Matsudaira Nobutsuna implemented a large scale construction project to expand Kawagoe Castle. After the Meiji Restoration, Honmaru Goten was torn down and what remains today is only one part of what was reconstructed in 1848.  Most of the rooms at Honmaru Goten are surrounded by Japanese gardens.  Some corridors have small gardens next to them with many windows for the sake of air circulation.
    honmaru-goten-kawagoe-17.jpg
  • Honmaru Goten Samurai, Kawagoe - During the Edo Period Kawagoe Honmaru Goten was built by Matsudaira Naritsune, a Kawagoe feudal leader and built the oldest building still standing in Kawagoe.  In 1639, the Tokugawa Shogunate leader  Matsudaira Nobutsuna implemented a large scale construction project to expand Kawagoe Castle. After the Meiji Restoration, Honmaru Goten was torn down and what remains today is only one part of what was reconstructed in 1848.  Most of the rooms at Honmaru Goten are surrounded by Japanese gardens.  Some corridors have small gardens next to them with many windows for the sake of air circulation.
    honmaru-goten-kawagoe-18.jpg
  • During the Edo Period Kawagoe Honmaru Goten was built by Matsudaira Naritsune, a Kawagoe feudal leader and built the oldest building still standing in Kawagoe.  In 1639, the Tokugawa Shogunate leader  Matsudaira Nobutsuna implemented a large scale construction project to expand Kawagoe Castle. After the Meiji Restoration, Honmaru Goten was torn down and what remains today is only one part of what was reconstructed in 1848.  Most of the rooms at Honmaru Goten are surrounded by Japanese gardens.  Some corridors have small gardens next to them with many windows for the sake of air circulation.
    honmaru-goten-kawagoe-14.jpg
  • During the Edo Period Kawagoe Honmaru Goten was built by Matsudaira Naritsune, a Kawagoe feudal leader and built the oldest building still standing in Kawagoe.  In 1639, the Tokugawa Shogunate leader  Matsudaira Nobutsuna implemented a large scale construction project to expand Kawagoe Castle. After the Meiji Restoration, Honmaru Goten was torn down and what remains today is only one part of what was reconstructed in 1848.  Most of the rooms at Honmaru Goten are surrounded by Japanese gardens.  Some corridors have small gardens next to them with many windows for the sake of air circulation.
    honmaru-goten-kawagoe-13 copy.jpg
  • During the Edo Period Kawagoe Honmaru Goten was built by Matsudaira Naritsune, a Kawagoe feudal leader and built the oldest building still standing in Kawagoe.  In 1639, the Tokugawa Shogunate leader  Matsudaira Nobutsuna implemented a large scale construction project to expand Kawagoe Castle. After the Meiji Restoration, Honmaru Goten was torn down and what remains today is only one part of what was reconstructed in 1848.  Most of the rooms at Honmaru Goten are surrounded by Japanese gardens.  Some corridors have small gardens next to them with many windows for the sake of air circulation.
    honmaru-goten-kawagoe-11.jpg
  • During the Edo Period Kawagoe Honmaru Goten was built by Matsudaira Naritsune, a Kawagoe feudal leader and built the oldest building still standing in Kawagoe.  In 1639, the Tokugawa Shogunate leader  Matsudaira Nobutsuna implemented a large scale construction project to expand Kawagoe Castle. After the Meiji Restoration, Honmaru Goten was torn down and what remains today is only one part of what was reconstructed in 1848.  Most of the rooms at Honmaru Goten are surrounded by Japanese gardens.  Some corridors have small gardens next to them with many windows for the sake of air circulation.
    honmaru-goten-kawagoe-9.jpg
  • During the Edo Period Kawagoe Honmaru Goten was built by Matsudaira Naritsune, a Kawagoe feudal leader and built the oldest building still standing in Kawagoe.  In 1639, the Tokugawa Shogunate leader  Matsudaira Nobutsuna implemented a large scale construction project to expand Kawagoe Castle. After the Meiji Restoration, Honmaru Goten was torn down and what remains today is only one part of what was reconstructed in 1848.  Most of the rooms at Honmaru Goten are surrounded by Japanese gardens.  Some corridors have small gardens next to them with many windows for the sake of air circulation.
    honmaru-goten-kawagoe-4.jpg
  • During the Edo Period Kawagoe Honmaru Goten was built by Matsudaira Naritsune, a Kawagoe feudal leader and built the oldest building still standing in Kawagoe.  In 1639, the Tokugawa Shogunate leader  Matsudaira Nobutsuna implemented a large scale construction project to expand Kawagoe Castle. After the Meiji Restoration, Honmaru Goten was torn down and what remains today is only one part of what was reconstructed in 1848.  Most of the rooms at Honmaru Goten are surrounded by Japanese gardens.  Some corridors have small gardens next to them with many windows for the sake of air circulation.
    honmaru-goten-kawagoe-5.jpg
  • During the Edo Period Kawagoe Honmaru Goten was built by Matsudaira Naritsune, a Kawagoe feudal leader and built the oldest building still standing in Kawagoe.  In 1639, the Tokugawa Shogunate leader  Matsudaira Nobutsuna implemented a large scale construction project to expand Kawagoe Castle. After the Meiji Restoration, Honmaru Goten was torn down and what remains today is only one part of what was reconstructed in 1848.  Most of the rooms at Honmaru Goten are surrounded by Japanese gardens.  Some corridors have small gardens next to them with many windows for the sake of air circulation.
    honmaru-goten-kawagoe-3.jpg
  • During the Edo Period Kawagoe Honmaru Goten was built by Matsudaira Naritsune, a Kawagoe feudal leader and built the oldest building still standing in Kawagoe.  In 1639, the Tokugawa Shogunate leader  Matsudaira Nobutsuna implemented a large scale construction project to expand Kawagoe Castle. After the Meiji Restoration, Honmaru Goten was torn down and what remains today is only one part of what was reconstructed in 1848.  Most of the rooms at Honmaru Goten are surrounded by Japanese gardens.  Some corridors have small gardens next to them with many windows for the sake of air circulation.
    honmaru-goten-kawagoe-16.jpg
  • During the Edo Period Kawagoe Honmaru Goten was built by Matsudaira Naritsune, a Kawagoe feudal leader and built the oldest building still standing in Kawagoe.  In 1639, the Tokugawa Shogunate leader  Matsudaira Nobutsuna implemented a large scale construction project to expand Kawagoe Castle. After the Meiji Restoration, Honmaru Goten was torn down and what remains today is only one part of what was reconstructed in 1848.  Most of the rooms at Honmaru Goten are surrounded by Japanese gardens.  Some corridors have small gardens next to them with many windows for the sake of air circulation.
    honmaru-goten-kawagoe-8.jpg
  • During the Edo Period Kawagoe Honmaru Goten was built by Matsudaira Naritsune, a Kawagoe feudal leader and built the oldest building still standing in Kawagoe.  In 1639, the Tokugawa Shogunate leader  Matsudaira Nobutsuna implemented a large scale construction project to expand Kawagoe Castle. After the Meiji Restoration, Honmaru Goten was torn down and what remains today is only one part of what was reconstructed in 1848.  Most of the rooms at Honmaru Goten are surrounded by Japanese gardens.  Some corridors have small gardens next to them with many windows for the sake of air circulation.
    honmaru-goten-kawagoe-1.jpg
  • During the Edo Period Kawagoe Honmaru Goten was built by Matsudaira Naritsune, a Kawagoe feudal leader and built the oldest building still standing in Kawagoe.  In 1639, the Tokugawa Shogunate leader  Matsudaira Nobutsuna implemented a large scale construction project to expand Kawagoe Castle. After the Meiji Restoration, Honmaru Goten was torn down and what remains today is only one part of what was reconstructed in 1848.  Most of the rooms at Honmaru Goten are surrounded by Japanese gardens.  Some corridors have small gardens next to them with many windows for the sake of air circulation.
    honmaru-goten-kawagoe-15.jpg
  • During the Edo Period Kawagoe Honmaru Goten was built by Matsudaira Naritsune, a Kawagoe feudal leader and built the oldest building still standing in Kawagoe.  In 1639, the Tokugawa Shogunate leader  Matsudaira Nobutsuna implemented a large scale construction project to expand Kawagoe Castle. After the Meiji Restoration, Honmaru Goten was torn down and what remains today is only one part of what was reconstructed in 1848.  Most of the rooms at Honmaru Goten are surrounded by Japanese gardens.  Some corridors have small gardens next to them with many windows for the sake of air circulation.
    honmaru-goten-kawagoe-7.jpg
  • 48. The Kyu-Kagoshima Bosekisho Gishikan 旧鹿児島紡績所技師館  or Kagoshima Spinning Engineers House is like its counterparts in other Japanese towns such as the foreigners' houses in Yokohama, Nagasaki or Kobe known as Ijinkan 'Foreigners Residence'. This classic Meiji period building was constructed in 1866 to house British engineers and is one of the earliest Western-style buildings in Japan.
    48.MEIJI-BOSESHIKOI-02.jpg
  • 48. The Kyu-Kagoshima Bosekisho Gishikan 旧鹿児島紡績所技師館  or Kagoshima Spinning Engineers House is like its counterparts in other Japanese towns such as the foreigners' houses in Yokohama, Nagasaki or Kobe known as Ijinkan 'Foreigners Residence'. This classic Meiji period building was constructed in 1866 to house British engineers and is one of the earliest Western-style buildings in Japan.
    48.MEIJI-BOSESHIKOI-03.jpg
  • Saikyoji Garden - altogether there are four distinct gardens surrounding the temple’s main hall.  The most famous one is the Hyakuden Teien pond garden designed by Kobori Enshu during the Ido Period,  The pond is supposed to represent Lake Biwa nearby (others contend that the pond is in the shape of a rose)  with its backdrop slope punctuated with stones and satsuki bushes.  Adjacent to the pond is a sukiya style teahouse, an addition added during the Meiji Period that is almost never open to the public.   The second garden is called Dai Honbo Teien - its style is quite different from the Hyakuden Garden as it is composed of bushes in the tsukiyama style - its unique feature is of stepping stones embedded in the white sand “sea”. The third garden is the Shoin Teien, which is a dry garden created during the Meiji Period, and is composed of Sakamoto style masonry and stones.  The fourth main garden is Yashoiun Teien or Back Shoin Garden which was created much more recently by Shigetaro Nishimura a local landscaper and is considered a pond appreciation garden.
    saikyoji-12.jpg
  • Saikyoji Garden - altogether there are four distinct gardens surrounding the temple’s main hall.  The most famous one is the Hyakuden Teien pond garden designed by Kobori Enshu during the Ido Period,  The pond is supposed to represent Lake Biwa nearby (others contend that the pond is in the shape of a rose)  with its backdrop slope punctuated with stones and satsuki bushes.  Adjacent to the pond is a sukiya style teahouse, an addition added during the Meiji Period that is almost never open to the public.   The second garden is called Dai Honbo Teien - its style is quite different from the Hyakuden Garden as it is composed of bushes in the tsukiyama style - its unique feature is of stepping stones embedded in the white sand “sea”. The third garden is the Shoin Teien, which is a dry garden created during the Meiji Period, and is composed of Sakamoto style masonry and stones.  The fourth main garden is Yashoiun Teien or Back Shoin Garden which was created much more recently by Shigetaro Nishimura a local landscaper and is considered a pond appreciation garden.
    saikyoji-10.jpg
  • Saikyoji Garden - altogether there are four distinct gardens surrounding the temple’s main hall.  The most famous one is the Hyakuden Teien pond garden designed by Kobori Enshu during the Ido Period,  The pond is supposed to represent Lake Biwa nearby (others contend that the pond is in the shape of a rose)  with its backdrop slope punctuated with stones and satsuki bushes.  Adjacent to the pond is a sukiya style teahouse, an addition added during the Meiji Period that is almost never open to the public.   The second garden is called Dai Honbo Teien - its style is quite different from the Hyakuden Garden as it is composed of bushes in the tsukiyama style - its unique feature is of stepping stones embedded in the white sand “sea”. The third garden is the Shoin Teien, which is a dry garden created during the Meiji Period, and is composed of Sakamoto style masonry and stones.  The fourth main garden is Yashoiun Teien or Back Shoin Garden which was created much more recently by Shigetaro Nishimura a local landscaper and is considered a pond appreciation garden.
    saikyoji-09.jpg
  • Saikyoji Hyakuden Teien Garden  - altogether there are four distinct gardens surrounding the temple’s main hall.  The most famous one is the Hyakuden Teien pond garden designed by Kobori Enshu during the Ido Period,  The pond is supposed to represent Lake Biwa nearby (others contend that the pond is in the shape of a rose)  with its backdrop slope punctuated with stones and satsuki bushes.  Adjacent to the pond is a sukiya style teahouse, an addition added during the Meiji Period that is almost never open to the public.   The second garden is called Dai Honbo Teien - its style is quite different from the Hyakuden Garden as it is composed of bushes in the tsukiyama style - its unique feature is of stepping stones embedded in the white sand “sea”. The third garden is the Shoin Teien, which is a dry garden created during the Meiji Period, and is composed of Sakamoto style masonry and stones.  The fourth main garden is Yashoiun Teien or Back Shoin Garden which was created much more recently by Shigetaro Nishimura a local landscaper and is considered a pond appreciation garden.
    saikyoji-01.jpg
  • Saikyoji Garden - altogether there are four distinct gardens surrounding the temple’s main hall.  The most famous one is the Hyakuden Teien pond garden designed by Kobori Enshu during the Ido Period,  The pond is supposed to represent Lake Biwa nearby (others contend that the pond is in the shape of a rose)  with its backdrop slope punctuated with stones and satsuki bushes.  Adjacent to the pond is a sukiya style teahouse, an addition added during the Meiji Period that is almost never open to the public.   The second garden is called Dai Honbo Teien - its style is quite different from the Hyakuden Garden as it is composed of bushes in the tsukiyama style - its unique feature is of stepping stones embedded in the white sand “sea”. The third garden is the Shoin Teien, which is a dry garden created during the Meiji Period, and is composed of Sakamoto style masonry and stones.  The fourth main garden is Yashoiun Teien or Back Shoin Garden which was created much more recently by Shigetaro Nishimura a local landscaper and is considered a pond appreciation garden.
    saikyoji-15.jpg
  • Saikyoji Garden - altogether there are four distinct gardens surrounding the temple’s main hall.  The most famous one is the Hyakuden Teien pond garden designed by Kobori Enshu during the Ido Period,  The pond is supposed to represent Lake Biwa nearby (others contend that the pond is in the shape of a rose)  with its backdrop slope punctuated with stones and satsuki bushes.  Adjacent to the pond is a sukiya style teahouse, an addition added during the Meiji Period that is almost never open to the public.   The second garden is called Dai Honbo Teien - its style is quite different from the Hyakuden Garden as it is composed of bushes in the tsukiyama style - its unique feature is of stepping stones embedded in the white sand “sea”. The third garden is the Shoin Teien, which is a dry garden created during the Meiji Period, and is composed of Sakamoto style masonry and stones.  The fourth main garden is Yashoiun Teien or Back Shoin Garden which was created much more recently by Shigetaro Nishimura a local landscaper and is considered a pond appreciation garden.
    saikyoji-19.jpg
  • Saikyoji Garden - altogether there are four distinct gardens surrounding the temple’s main hall.  The most famous one is the Hyakuden Teien pond garden designed by Kobori Enshu during the Ido Period,  The pond is supposed to represent Lake Biwa nearby (others contend that the pond is in the shape of a rose)  with its backdrop slope punctuated with stones and satsuki bushes.  Adjacent to the pond is a sukiya style teahouse, an addition added during the Meiji Period that is almost never open to the public.   The second garden is called Dai Honbo Teien - its style is quite different from the Hyakuden Garden as it is composed of bushes in the tsukiyama style - its unique feature is of stepping stones embedded in the white sand “sea”. The third garden is the Shoin Teien, which is a dry garden created during the Meiji Period, and is composed of Sakamoto style masonry and stones.  The fourth main garden is Yashoiun Teien or Back Shoin Garden which was created much more recently by Shigetaro Nishimura a local landscaper and is considered a pond appreciation garden.
    saikyoji-14.jpg
  • Saikyoji Hyakuden Teien Garden  - altogether there are four distinct gardens surrounding the temple’s main hall.  The most famous one is the Hyakuden Teien pond garden designed by Kobori Enshu during the Ido Period,  The pond is supposed to represent Lake Biwa nearby (others contend that the pond is in the shape of a rose)  with its backdrop slope punctuated with stones and satsuki bushes.  Adjacent to the pond is a sukiya style teahouse, an addition added during the Meiji Period that is almost never open to the public.   The second garden is called Dai Honbo Teien - its style is quite different from the Hyakuden Garden as it is composed of bushes in the tsukiyama style - its unique feature is of stepping stones embedded in the white sand “sea”. The third garden is the Shoin Teien, which is a dry garden created during the Meiji Period, and is composed of Sakamoto style masonry and stones.  The fourth main garden is Yashoiun Teien or Back Shoin Garden which was created much more recently by Shigetaro Nishimura a local landscaper and is considered a pond appreciation garden.
    saikyoji-04.jpg
  • Saikyoji Hyakuden Teien Garden  - altogether there are four distinct gardens surrounding the temple’s main hall.  The most famous one is the Hyakuden Teien pond garden designed by Kobori Enshu during the Ido Period,  The pond is supposed to represent Lake Biwa nearby (others contend that the pond is in the shape of a rose)  with its backdrop slope punctuated with stones and satsuki bushes.  Adjacent to the pond is a sukiya style teahouse, an addition added during the Meiji Period that is almost never open to the public.   The second garden is called Dai Honbo Teien - its style is quite different from the Hyakuden Garden as it is composed of bushes in the tsukiyama style - its unique feature is of stepping stones embedded in the white sand “sea”. The third garden is the Shoin Teien, which is a dry garden created during the Meiji Period, and is composed of Sakamoto style masonry and stones.  The fourth main garden is Yashoiun Teien or Back Shoin Garden which was created much more recently by Shigetaro Nishimura a local landscaper and is considered a pond appreciation garden.
    saikyoji-03.jpg
  • Saikyoji Hyakuden Teien Garden  - altogether there are four distinct gardens surrounding the temple’s main hall.  The most famous one is the Hyakuden Teien pond garden designed by Kobori Enshu during the Ido Period,  The pond is supposed to represent Lake Biwa nearby (others contend that the pond is in the shape of a rose)  with its backdrop slope punctuated with stones and satsuki bushes.  Adjacent to the pond is a sukiya style teahouse, an addition added during the Meiji Period that is almost never open to the public.   The second garden is called Dai Honbo Teien - its style is quite different from the Hyakuden Garden as it is composed of bushes in the tsukiyama style - its unique feature is of stepping stones embedded in the white sand “sea”. The third garden is the Shoin Teien, which is a dry garden created during the Meiji Period, and is composed of Sakamoto style masonry and stones.  The fourth main garden is Yashoiun Teien or Back Shoin Garden which was created much more recently by Shigetaro Nishimura a local landscaper and is considered a pond appreciation garden.
    saikyoji-02.jpg
  • Kurokabe Square, Black Wall Building - Nagahama was born about 400 years ago as a castle town. It was, and still is, the center of the town, and the tourist attraction Kurokabe Square is a group of traditional buildings built from the Edo period to the Meiji period, most notably the Black Wall Building. Also known as Kurokabe Square Building, it was erected during the Meiji period as a bank but currently used as a gallery for glassware, displaying and selling glass accessories and music boxes. They also offer hands on lessons for making glass and stained glass.
    black-wall-building.jpg
  • Saikyoji Garden - altogether there are four distinct gardens surrounding the temple’s main hall.  The most famous one is the Hyakuden Teien pond garden designed by Kobori Enshu during the Ido Period,  The pond is supposed to represent Lake Biwa nearby (others contend that the pond is in the shape of a rose)  with its backdrop slope punctuated with stones and satsuki bushes.  Adjacent to the pond is a sukiya style teahouse, an addition added during the Meiji Period that is almost never open to the public.   The second garden is called Dai Honbo Teien - its style is quite different from the Hyakuden Garden as it is composed of bushes in the tsukiyama style - its unique feature is of stepping stones embedded in the white sand “sea”. The third garden is the Shoin Teien, which is a dry garden created during the Meiji Period, and is composed of Sakamoto style masonry and stones.  The fourth main garden is Yashoiun Teien or Back Shoin Garden which was created much more recently by Shigetaro Nishimura a local landscaper and is considered a pond appreciation garden.
    saikyoji-18.jpg
  • Saikyoji Garden - altogether there are four distinct gardens surrounding the temple’s main hall.  The most famous one is the Hyakuden Teien pond garden designed by Kobori Enshu during the Ido Period,  The pond is supposed to represent Lake Biwa nearby (others contend that the pond is in the shape of a rose)  with its backdrop slope punctuated with stones and satsuki bushes.  Adjacent to the pond is a sukiya style teahouse, an addition added during the Meiji Period that is almost never open to the public.   The second garden is called Dai Honbo Teien - its style is quite different from the Hyakuden Garden as it is composed of bushes in the tsukiyama style - its unique feature is of stepping stones embedded in the white sand “sea”. The third garden is the Shoin Teien, which is a dry garden created during the Meiji Period, and is composed of Sakamoto style masonry and stones.  The fourth main garden is Yashoiun Teien or Back Shoin Garden which was created much more recently by Shigetaro Nishimura a local landscaper and is considered a pond appreciation garden.
    saikyoji-17.jpg
  • Saikyoji Garden - altogether there are four distinct gardens surrounding the temple’s main hall.  The most famous one is the Hyakuden Teien pond garden designed by Kobori Enshu during the Ido Period,  The pond is supposed to represent Lake Biwa nearby (others contend that the pond is in the shape of a rose)  with its backdrop slope punctuated with stones and satsuki bushes.  Adjacent to the pond is a sukiya style teahouse, an addition added during the Meiji Period that is almost never open to the public.   The second garden is called Dai Honbo Teien - its style is quite different from the Hyakuden Garden as it is composed of bushes in the tsukiyama style - its unique feature is of stepping stones embedded in the white sand “sea”. The third garden is the Shoin Teien, which is a dry garden created during the Meiji Period, and is composed of Sakamoto style masonry and stones.  The fourth main garden is Yashoiun Teien or Back Shoin Garden which was created much more recently by Shigetaro Nishimura a local landscaper and is considered a pond appreciation garden.
    saikyoji-13.jpg
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