Sankeien

Sankeien is a vast 175,000-square-meter Japanese garden in the strolling pond style. It was created by industrialist Hara Sankei (real name: Hara Tomitaro), who made his fortune in silk-reeling and raw silk trading, by expanding and improving the garden of his residence and opening it to the public in 1906. Today, it is designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty and is cherished by many as one of Yokohama’s most important historic scenic spots.

Within the garden, 17 historic structures, including temple buildings, old private houses, and tea houses relocated from Kyoto, Kamakura, and the Kansai region, are thoughtfully arranged. Among them, 10 buildings, including Rinshunkaku, the former Three-storied Pagoda of Tomyo-ji Temple, and the former Buddha Hall of Tokei-ji Temple, are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan, while three more are designated tangible cultural properties by the City of Yokohama. The entire garden is so valuable that it can be described as an “open-air architectural museum.” The former Three-storied Pagoda of Tomyo-ji Temple, built during the Muromachi period, was relocated in 1914 and still stands gracefully today as a symbol of Sankeien.

Sankeien is composed of two areas: the outer garden, centered on a large pond, and the inner garden, where historic buildings are gathered. In the outer garden, visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll while taking in views of the three-storied pagoda and tea houses across the pond. In the inner garden, a serene Japanese atmosphere unfolds, with Rinshunkaku, once used as a samurai residence, and a row of temple buildings. A full walk around the garden takes about 90 to 120 minutes, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the harmony of nature and architecture.

Hara Sankei was known not only for his success as a businessman, but also as an art lover and cultural figure who actively collected antique art and supported young artists. Thanks to the buildings selected through his refined aesthetic sense and relocated to the site, Sankeien became a garden of unique cultural value, and today it is highly regarded as a place to learn about Japanese culture and architectural history.

The seasonal flowers and trees are another major attraction of Sankeien. Visitors can enjoy a rich variety of natural beauty throughout the year, including plum blossoms in early spring, cherry blossoms in spring, wisteria and irises in early summer, lotus flowers, autumn foliage, and camellias in winter. Especially during the autumn foliage season, the area around Choshukaku in the inner garden and the areas around Yokobuean and Rindoan in the outer garden are beautifully colored, allowing visitors to feel the atmosphere of an ancient capital while still in Yokohama. During autumn, the promenade behind Choshukaku is specially opened to the public, offering spectacular views of the colored leaves with a distant view of the pagoda.

In spring, opening hours are extended to coincide with cherry blossom season, and the contrast between the illuminated three-storied pagoda and the night cherry blossoms creates a dreamlike scene. Seasonal events such as “Firefly Evening” are also held, making the garden popular as a place where visitors can enjoy different expressions by day and night and throughout the seasons. In recent years, it has also gained strong support from international visitors and is attracting global attention as a place to experience Japanese culture.

The garden has teahouses and dining facilities where visitors can enjoy soba, udon, seasonal boxed meals, Japanese sweets, and matcha with traditional confections. The museum shop sells souvenirs such as original Sankeien Japanese goods and wagashi. In addition, the Sankei Memorial Hall features exhibitions of works by artists associated with Sankeien and a matcha corner, allowing visitors to enjoy both a garden stroll and a cultural experience.

Kakushokaku, a restored version of Hara Sankei’s former residence, has been developed as a barrier-free rental facility and is used for a wide range of purposes, including meetings and parties. Since almost no buildings outside the garden are visible, it is also highly popular as a location for pre-wedding photo shoots and kimono photography.

Sankeien is located in Naka Ward, Yokohama, and is conveniently accessible by bus from major stations such as Yokohama Station, Sakuragicho Station, Motomachi-Chukagai Station, and Negishi Station. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, it is a precious garden where visitors can spend a peaceful time surrounded by historic architecture and abundant nature, and deeply experience Japanese culture and the history of Yokohama.