Kyu-Furukawa-Gardens

A very warm welcome, friend, to a place where two worlds embrace in perfect harmony. You have arrived at the Kyu-Furukawa Gardens, a breathtaking time capsule of the Taisho era where the grandeur of the West meets the profound silence of the East. It is a rare jewel, a landscape that tells the story of a Japan opening its arms to the world while holding tight to its soul.

Your journey begins on the hilltop, standing before the magnificent Western-style mansion designed by Josiah Conder. With its rugged stone walls and slate roof, it commands the view like a European castle. Beneath it lies a romantic, terraced garden, a living tapestry of roses that burst into a riot of color and fragrance in spring and autumn. It is a scene of pure, elegant “Taisho Romance.”

But the true magic lies in the descent. As you walk down the stone steps, the scenery transforms. You leave the bright, open European world and enter a deep, shaded sanctuary: a traditional Japanese stroll garden crafted by the master Ogawa Jihei. Here, around the tranquil “Shinji-ike” pond shaped like the character for “heart,” the air is cool and the only sound is the rustle of maple leaves. We are so happy you are here to walk this beautiful bridge between cultures. Enjoy this timeless, poetic escape.