A little-known sightseeing spot in Nagoya! Feel nostalgic at "Yokiso" in Kakuozan.

A stone's throw from "Kakuozan Nittaiji". Yokiso is a 10-minute walk from Kakuozan Station on the Higashiyama subway line.

Originally there were about 30 buildings on a vast site of about 10,000 tsubo, but although it was divided into the north and south gardens, the main part still remains and was donated to the city of Nagoya in 2007. . In 2008, five buildings (Choshokaku, Yokiso Zashiki, Bankaro, Sanshotei, and Hakuunkyo Bridge) were designated as city-designated tangible cultural properties, and are regarded as local historical and cultural resources by citizens. has become a valuable asset.

This time, we would like to introduce the charm of Yokiso, a little-known sightseeing spot where you can experience history, and we would like to recommend it not only to tourists but also to locals.

What is Yokiso?

Originally, it was the villa of Ito Jirozaemonsuketami, the first president of Matsuzakaya. It was a place for outside exchanges.

After the war, it was used as a residence for the occupying forces in the United States. After that, when it was returned to the Ito family from the United States, it was used as an employee dormitory for Matsuzakaya and also as a student dormitory for Tokiwa Jogakuin, which closed in 2007 (Heisei 19).

[Viewing fee]
south garden
General / high school / university student 300 yen
Elderly people living in the city (65 years old and over) 100 yen
Free for junior high school students and younger
Regular admission ticket (1 year ticket) General 1200 yen / 65 years old and over 400 yen

north garden
North Garden Free

There are also popular guided tours. (Suspended due to the corona virus. As of March 2022.)

Click here for details▼
https://www.yokiso.jp/access/

South garden with Choshokaku where you can see the inside

The entrance to the south garden blends into a quiet residential area that you might overlook. In the south garden, there is "Choshokaku" where you can see the inside of the building, and "Yokiso Zashiki" which is currently closed to the public.

"Choshokaku" that recreates the excitement of a trip

As soon as you enter the south gate, you will see “Choshokaku”. It was built in 1937 as a state guest house with a mountain villa-like appearance. The half-timbered wooden pillars, beams, and braces on the red outer walls are eye-catching.

It is said that Choshokaku recreated the impression that he actually received during a pilgrimage to Buddhist sites in India. Indian style.

First, let's learn about the history of "Yokiso" on the first floor

Exhibition rooms 1 and 2 (former living room, former sunroom) on the first floor introduce and display “Yokiso” and “Ito Jirozaemon” through videos and panels.

A diorama that reproduces Yokiso in its heyday (around 1939). I am amazed at the scale of the time.

Photograph of "Ito Jirozaemon Yumin".

Coffee and other drinks are also available at the Rest Area Bengara (former cafeteria). You can relax while looking out at the garden.

The name “bengara” comes from the bengara lacquer used on the impressive red walls of “Choshokaku.” Bengala is an iron oxide that can be taken from the soil, and it is called so because the etymology came from the Bengal region of India.

The character of "Ito" is also on the lighting. You can find the handiwork of craftsmen everywhere in the building.

Apart from the staircase for guests, there is also a narrow staircase that passed through the back that was used by servants and others. There is now an elevator, so strollers and wheelchairs are safe.

Let's compare different floors, lighting, and ceilings in each room on the second floor

The second floor of the carriage porch is exhibition room 3 (former study). Western-style room with built-in bookshelves and lighting.

Exhibition room 4 (former reception room). It seems that the image of the cabin of the ship I boarded when I traveled around the world. There are exhibits about the history of the area.

A parquet floor like a gridiron. You can feel the attention to detail, such as the different lighting, floors and walls in each room.

A cabin-style round window that can be opened and closed.

Exhibition room 5 (former bedroom B), where special exhibitions are held in Chinese style.

Looking up at the ceiling, the phoenix decoration in the center is also a Chinese atmosphere.

The walls are decorated with cracked ice patterns.

The thunder pattern, which is the origin of the swirl pattern, is also perfect for the Chinese image.

Exhibition room 6 (former sunroom). At the time of the interview, it was an event of the Nagoya ceramics exhibition.

Exhibition room 7 (former bedroom A) where special exhibitions are also held. I envy that such a luxurious place used to be a company dormitory or a student dormitory.

If you go to the back from exhibition room 7 (former bedroom A), you will find a Japanese-style room painted with red bengara. Overlooking the south garden.

The south garden is a circuit-style dry landscape rock garden. The five-ring pagoda, four-way Buddha basins, and large lanterns are placed here. Tsukijibei wall from the beginning remains at the south end.

In the alcove, there are seasonal decorations such as kagami-mochi for New Year's and Hina decorations for March.

There is also a private washroom. It is surprising that it was a flush type from that time.

Next to the Japanese-style room, there is also a washroom (left photo) and a bathroom (right photo).

The exotic underground space is full of exoticism

When you go down to the underground hall, an exotic Indian-style space spreads out at once. The beautiful murals painted on the entire wall are said to be modeled after the cave temple in the western part of the Deccan Plateau.

A mysterious underground tunnel that is said to have connected Yuhoken, 80m north of Choshokaku, and Himegaike Street, 90m west, in a T-shape. Only near the entrance can be visited now. It might have been the best attraction if left.

Hariharan, an Indian exchange student who copied the mural, was born locally and was familiar with the real thing from an early age, so it is a very elaborate reproduction.

After closing, the multi-purpose room (former ballroom) can be used for concerts and other events. You can feel the atmosphere of India from the plaster reliefs on the ceiling and walls.

A stage where various events such as concerts, rakugo, and dance are held.

"Choshokaku" with a basement, which was very rare at that time. The surroundings are dug up to create a space that allows sunlight to reach in, and it is designed to be a natural air-conditioning system that keeps moisture from accumulating.

A meditation room with a beautiful relief on the wall that is illuminated by the light that comes in through the round window.

On the wall opposite the stage, there is a relief of Angkor Thom, one of the ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and a lattice-like lattice window carved out of a single stone.

The technique of the stonemason craftsman who is fine to every corner is also wonderful.

The Himalayas are drawn on the glass windows using a technique called edging. It seems that the sofa fabric was restored, but when I sat down, it was surprisingly soft.

At Choshokaku, not only are there special exhibitions and lectures organized by the city of Nagoya, but some rooms and halls can also be rented by individuals at a reasonable price after closing. Many events such as workshops, concerts, dances, rakugo, and readings are held. I heard that some people rent instruments for practice.

▼ Click here for room rental information
https://www.yokiso.jp/rental/index.html

Pass in front of Yokiso Zashiki next to Choshokaku and head to Kitaen. There is also a stone relief at the entrance of "Ito Bank" (currently MUFG Bank).

There is a passage that anyone can pass through to the north garden and south garden, so access is convenient.