Greater Tokyo

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Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park

Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park

From the mid Meiji to the early Showa periods, the area around Lake Chuzenji was home to foreign embassies and villas and flourished as summer resorts. The villa was built as a summer house for the Italian ambassador in 1928 and used by successive ambassadors until 1997. Along with the main building reconstructed with the original floor, fittings and furniture, the cottage is now open to the public as a history museum of the local international summer resorts. In addition to the buildings, the park pleases the eye with a lovely view of Lake Chuzenji.   The villa was designed by Czech architect Antonin Raymond (1888-1976). Raymond moved to the United States when he was 22 years old where he took up architecture. His first visit to Japan was during the New Year’s period in 1919-20 to work on the project of the Imperial Hotel with his mentor Frank Lloyd Wright. Raymond was advised by local craftsmen on traditional architectural materials. He made a good use of the local Nikko cedar on the walls and his chequered design creates a beautifully modern exterior to the two-storey wooden villa. The whole ceiling of the ground floor was made with cedar bark by wickerwork, a popular technique in the traditional Japanese Sukiya style of architecture. The space of the living room and study is skilfully divided by wickerwork patterns.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Shonan Daira Hills(Komayama Park)

Shonan Daira Hills(Komayama Park)

Koraizan Park, which includes Shonandaira, is a scenic park bordering Hiratsuka City and Oiso Town, and consists of the "Shonandaira Zone" where visitors can enjoy spectacular views and the "Sengenzan Zone" where they can enjoy pure nature. The park has also been designated as one of the "50 Best Scenic Spots in Kanagawa," "50 Best Parks in Kanagawa," "100 Best Places for Flowers in Kanagawa," "100 Best Night Views," "Eight Views of Hiratsuka," and many others.

Nature & Views Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Sanoya Sweet Store

Sanoya Sweet Store

Sanoya is a Japanese sweet shop that sells seasonal Japanese sweets. Its signature sweet ‘Oyama Koma Monaka’ has the status of being a designated confectionary of the Kanagawa Prefecture. ‘Oyama Koma Monaka’ has a 300-year history and has been known as one of the best souvenirs to bring back from visiting Oyama Afuri Shrine. Since the firm axis of Koma-shaped ‘Oyama Koma Monaka’ signifies the steady circulation of money and its round shape signifies affability, ‘Oyama Koma Monaka’ has been loved by visitors as a sweet that brings good luck, and is bought as a wedding gift, baby gift or housewarming gift.

Shopping Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Hinata Yakushi Treasure Hall (Yakushi Nyorai, Japan’s Three Yakushi)

Hinata Yakushi Treasure Hall (Yakushi Nyorai, Japan’s Three Yakushi)

Founded by Gyoki in 716, this temple has a history of 1,300 years. Since the Middle Ages, it has been a sacred place for medicinal practitioners, and is known as Hinata Yakushi, one of the three most famous Yakushi in Japan. The temple also holds one of Japan's greatest treasure houses, with numerous statues of Buddha designated as nationally important cultural properties that bear witness to its history. It is also famous for higanbana (cluster amaryllis), which grows in clusters around Hinata Yakushi from mid-September to early October, making it a popular tourist attraction. Please come and visit Hinata Yakushi, a place rich in nature and full of attractions.

Temples & Shrines Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Yudate Lion Dance (Sengokuhara)

Yudate Lion Dance (Sengokuhara)

Yudate Kagura is a traditional event was handed down in 1776. While the Shinto ritual of yudate exists throughout Japan, it is not so common for it be carried out by a lion. Praying for sound health, peace and prosperity in the household, and bumper crops, the lion stirs boiling water with bamboo grass, and purifies the worshippers by sprinkling them with the water, warding off pestilence. While being selected as a national Intangible Folk Cultural Property, it is also designated as Yudate Shishimai, an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Kanagawa Prefecture.

Culture & Arts Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Salon de Thé Rosage, a dessert restaurant at Odakyu Hotel de Yama

Salon de Thé Rosage, a dessert restaurant at Odakyu Hotel de Yama

Salon de Thé Rosage, located on the shores of Lake Ashi in Hakone, is a dessert restaurant serving delicious tea, sweets, and light meals. When the weather is good, you can enjoy an elegant tea time on terrace seating savoring tea and desserts alongside the breeze of Lake Ashi. Certified as a cafe with delicious tea by the Japan Tea Association, this restaurant offers over 15 varieties of tea leaves selected meticulously by the tea instructors. Pair your tea with traditional apple pie, seasonal limited-edition sweets, and light lunch plates during lunchtime. Come indulge yourself with a luxurious moment aside Lake Ashi!

Eat & Drink Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Tea Room Minami Yonban Classic (British embassy villa memorial park)

Tea Room Minami Yonban Classic (British embassy villa memorial park)

"South No. 4 Classic" café is located on the second floor of the former British Embassy Villa in the British Embassy Villa Memorial Park. From its spacious veranda, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Chuzenji while savoring scones and tea sets supervised by the British Embassy Tokyo's chef. Limited-time and quantity events are held monthly.   〈Menu〉 British Cultural Experience Mini Afternoon Tea A set featuring British Embassy Tokyo's original scones, sandwiches, and tea. Plain and nut (walnut and almond) scones are served with generous portions of locally crafted jam from Tochigi Prefecture and clotted cream. Enjoy this one-plate set of sandwiches and seasonal fruits with premium British tea.   〈About the British Embassy Villa Memorial Park〉 Originally built in 1896 as the private villa of British diplomat Ernest Satow (1843-1929), this facility has been restored after serving as the British Embassy villa for many years. The facility features exhibits about its history as an international summer resort and British culture of the time. From the second-floor veranda,visitors can enjoy the "picture-perfect scenery" of Lake Chuzenji that Satow loved.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI