Kyu-Furukawa gardens is lesser known and less accessible to most foreign tourists, but is a domestic favorite because to Japanese it is exotic.

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Background and History of Kyu-Furukawa Gardens

Kyu-Furukawa Gardens is one of the few gardens that maintain their original Taisho era forms. A large western-style mansion lies on the north side of Kyu-Furukawa Garden’s great hill. Along the southern slope of the same hill is the Musashino terrace and a bright western garden. In the lowlands bellow is a traditional Japanese garden centering on the garden’s pond. The western-style house and garden were designed by British architect Josiah Conder (1852-1920) who also worked on other major Japanese projects such as the mansion of Iwasaki Hisaya (Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens), the Rokumeikan, and Nikolai Cathedral. Also, the Japanese garden was created by the famous gardener, Jihei Ozawa the 7th.

Features and Sights to See

Western-style residence

Josiah Conder designed this building in the style of the British aristocrats of his day, that day being Edwardian England. The original slate roofing and bricks are all still there. The outer walls of the building are covered in reddish Shin-Komatsu-ishi, andesite stones which were quarried in Manazuru, Izu, near Nagoya city today. It is said that when the walls are wet by rain, they show a quiet color tone. Kyu-Furukawa gardens one of the few gardens Japan to sport an Edwardian style mansion.

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Western-style garden

Roses planted in the terrace-style garden at Kyu-Furukawa gardens bear magnificent large flowers in spring and autumn. The stone walls are densely covered with Banksia rose which is the symbol of Princess Mako, the elder daughter of Prince Akishino-no-Miya (the younger brother of Emperor Reiwa (formerly Crown Prince Hiro-no-Miya).

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Japanese garden

The focal point in the Japanese garden is Shinji-ike (pond). The large Yukimi-toro (lantern) contrasts with the surrounding greenery. It gives Kyu-Furukawa gardens a somewhat mysterious quality.

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