Nationally-Designated Place of Scenic Beauty, the Former Ikeda Family Gardens

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Nationally-Designated Place of Scenic Beauty, the Former Ikeda Family Gardens

Beautiful Japanese gardens with seasonal various colors.

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Huge Japanese style gardens of the Ikeda family which is known as one of the three-biggest landlord families in Tohoku region. The scenic gardens were the first nationally-designated Place of Scenic Beauty in Akita prefecture. It is located in the middle of a rural area, and the shape of the land is hexagon like a turtle shell which was patterned after a family emblem of the Ikeda. The gardens were created in the Taisho period (1912-1926) and designed by Yasuhei Nagaoka, a designer of Senshu Park. The garden is also said to have magnificent trees and especially beautiful when the leaves turn red.

The main garden centering on a pond is a Japanese traditional style called Kaiyu-shiki garden (a circuit style garden which featured a path around the ground), a giant stone lantern with a tripod of 4 meters- high and a white western style building of the Taisho period are surrounding the pond. The Western-style building was used for the Ikeda family’s private library and was an extravagant structure with its exterior covered in white porcelain tiles and luxurious Japanese Kinkara leather wallpaper.

In an inner garden used for a private space for the family, some ruins such as three warehouses and a kitchen still remained. Bokujo-tei was built at the former main building, the present emperor once visited there to have a rest when he was a crown prince, the building became a place for events such as a tea ceremony. The warehouses used for stock of rice or miso paste became an exhibition space.

Photo Credit: Daisen City

Highlights

  • The beautiful Japanese traditional garden and the white Western-style building create a landscape that evokes Taisho Romanticism.
  • Yasuhei Nagaoka, who is known as the first Japanese garden designer, designed the garden.
  • The best season is autumn to view foliage.

Photos

  • A huge garden shows seasonal beauty.  The best time to view Japanese Iris is between the end of May and the early of June.

    A huge garden shows seasonal beauty. The best time to view Japanese Iris is between the end of May and the early of June.

  • The garden is popular for viewing foliage. The large stone lantern of 4 m high stands at the right side.

    The garden is popular for viewing foliage. The large stone lantern of 4 m high stands at the right side.

  • A beautiful contrast with a white western style building and autumn leaves.

    A beautiful contrast with a white western style building and autumn leaves.

  • The Western-style building near the pond was designated as one of the      important cultural properties.

    The Western-style building near the pond was designated as one of the important cultural properties.

  • The tour entering the inside of the building is conducted at 11:00am and 1:30pm during the special exhibition (required for a reservation 3 days in advance).

    The tour entering the inside of the building is conducted at 11:00am and 1:30pm during the special exhibition (required for a reservation 3 days in advance).

Reviews

1
  • XaoXao

    是個使人平靜花園,前池田花園非常美想再紅葉季節再次拜訪。

Details

Name in Japanese
国指定名勝 旧池田氏庭園
Postal Code
014-0805
Address
1 Oshima, Takanashi, Daisen City, Akita
Telephone
0187-63-8972 (Daisen City Cultural Division)
Holiday
Monday (If it falls on a national holiday, the next day). The middle of November-the end of April.
Hours
9:00am-4:00pm (Admission allowed until 3:30pm)
Admission
Adult: 300 yen
High schooler and younger: free
Direction
An about 10- minute drive from JR Omagari station
Credit Cards
Not accepted
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)