Yamamoto-tei 山本亭

In The North Eastern Corner of Tokyo

Yamamoto-tei is a Buddhist temple with a traditional Japanese garden in its interior. If you are ever out visiting Shibamata in Katsushika ward, by all means give this place a visit.

Information about Yamamoto-tei

Address:

7-19-32 Shibamata, Katsushika-ku
Contact:

03-3657-8577
Open hours:

9am – 5pm
Closed:

Every third Tuesday (the following weekday if it falls on a public/substitute holiday)
Entrance fee:

¥100 *Free entry or junior high school students and younger; disabled persons

Flower Calendar for Yamamoto-tei

Mid. April to mid-May : Rhododendrons
Late April to mid-May : Japanese wisterias
Late May to early June : rhododendron indicums
May to October : water lilies
June to July : Japanese stewartias
August to October : Japanese clovers
October to December : leopard plant
October to December : Sasanqua camellia
December to April : Japanese camellia

Table of Contents

1. Background and History of Yamamoto-tei
2. Features and Sights to See
2.1 The Main Garden
2.2 Houou-no-ma (Drawing room)
2.3 Cafe

Background and History of Yamamoto-tei

The building is the former residence of Tokyo businessman Einosuke Yamamoto, founder of the camera parts manufacturer, Yamamoto Plant. Yamamoto moved to the area after the Great Kanto Earthquake o 1923, and renovated the building from 1926 – 1930. The building was used for four generations before being acquired by Katsushika Ward in 1986, and opened to the public I 1991. The blend of shoin-zukuri and Western-style architecture, and the elegant surrounding garden maintain a perfect harmony, and its cultural values are highly regarded in Japan.

Features and Sights to See at Yamamoto-tei

The Main Garden

Yamamoto-tei is a traditional Shoin garden (a type of garden which accompanies a Shoin style residence) with an area o over 890 m² and a pond by the wooden deck. Behind the pond by the wooden deck. Behind the pond are luscious greens and an artificial hill to create a waterfall. It s a rare garden which is a preservation of the early Showa (1926-89) style until today.

Houou-no-ma (Drawing room)

The Houou-no-ma is the sole Western style room in the building. The main attractions are its white plastered high ceiling, marquetry flooring, marble mantelpiece, and stained glass windows.

Cafe

There is a tea set menu for a fee, and guests can look out to the garden and relax.

About the Author

Pjechorin

I have lived and worked with my family in Japan since 2005. For many years I have been interested in the very practical and creative side of Japanese culture. In my free time I travel around, enjoy hiking in the countryside and cities, and just generally seeing and doing new things. This blog is primarily a way for me to focus my energies and record and teach others about what I have learned by experience constructively. I am interested in urban development, and sustainable micro-economics, especially home-economics, and practical things everyday families can do to survive and thrive through these changing times.