Sankeien

Sankeien Garden is a vast landscape pond stroll garden of approximately 175,000 square meters, which was opened to the public in 1906 by businessman Hara Sankeien (real name: Hara Tomitaro), who made his fortune in the silk and silk trade. It is now recognized as a nationally designated scenic spot and is beloved by many as a historical site representative of Yokohama.

Within the garden, 17 historical structures, including temple buildings and traditional houses relocated from Kyoto, Kamakura, and the Kansai region, are skillfully arranged. Among them, ten structures, including the Rinshunkaku, the former Tōmyō-ji Three-storied Pagoda, and the former Tōkeiji Buddha Hall, are designated as Important Cultural Properties, and three are designated as City-designated Tangible Cultural Properties of Yokohama, rendering the entire garden so valuable that it can be called an "outdoor architectural museum." The former Tōmyō-ji Three-storied Pagoda, built during the Muromachi period, was relocated in 1914 and continues to show its elegant form as a symbol of Sankeien Garden.

Sankeien Garden is composed of two areas: the outer garden centered around a spacious large pond and the inner garden where notable ancient buildings are gathered. In the outer garden, visitors can enjoy leisurely strolls while admiring the views of the three-storied pagoda and tea houses across the large pond, while the inner garden presents a tranquil space of traditional Japanese aesthetics, featuring Rinshunkaku, which served as a samurai residence, and various temple buildings. A full tour of the garden takes approximately 90 to 120 minutes, allowing visitors to relish the landscapes woven from nature and architecture.

Hara Sankeien is well-known not only for his success as a businessman but also as an art lover and cultural figure, actively collecting antique art and supporting young artists. Thanks to his exceptional aesthetic sensibility and the choice of buildings relocated, Sankeien Garden has acquired unique cultural value and is highly regarded today as a place to learn about Japanese culture and architectural history.

The seasonal flowers and trees are another great allure of Sankeien Garden. Visitors can enjoy the diverse beauty of nature throughout the year, from plum blossoms in early spring, cherry blossoms in spring, wisteria and iris in early summer, lotuses in summer, to autumn leaves and camellias in winter. Particularly during the autumn foliage season, the surroundings of Chōkyūkan in the inner garden and Yokuhōan and Hayatoan in the outer garden burst into beautiful colors, allowing one to feel the charm of an ancient capital while in Yokohama. During this season, a special walkway beyond Chōkyūkan is opened, allowing visitors to savor breathtaking views of the autumn leaves with the three-storied pagoda in the distance.

In the spring, the park's opening hours are extended to coincide with the cherry blossom bloom, creating a magical landscape with the illuminated three-storied pagoda and night cherry blossoms. Seasonal events like "Evening of Fireflies" are held, making it a popular garden where one can enjoy different expressions both day and night throughout the seasons. In recent years, it has also gained significant support from foreign tourists and is recognized internationally as a place for experiencing Japanese culture.

Within the garden, there are tea houses and dining places where visitors can enjoy soba, udon, seasonal bento, Japanese sweets, matcha, and wagashi. A museum shop offers original Japanese goods and wagashi souvenirs from Sankeien Garden. Additionally, the Sankeien Memorial Hall features exhibition of works by artists related to Sankeien and a matcha corner, allowing one to enjoy both garden strolling and cultural experiences together.

The "Tsuru Shōkaku," a restored residence of Hara Sankeien, is equipped as a barrier-free rental facility and is utilized for a wide range of purposes such as meetings and parties. Since most of the outer buildings are barely visible, it is also highly popular as a location for wedding photo shoots and kimono photography.

Sankeien Garden is located in Naka Ward of Yokohama City, easily accessible by bus from major stations such as Yokohama Station, Sakuragicho Station, Motomachi-Chukagai Station, and Negishi Station. It is a precious garden where visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and spend quiet moments surrounded by historical buildings and rich nature, deeply experiencing Japanese culture and the history of Yokohama.