Visit Japan Web Sankeien
Visit Japan Web invites you to explore Sankeien, located in Naka Ward, Yokohama. It is a traditional Japanese-style garden that was created by Tomitaro Hara and opened in 1906.
The garden features historically significant structures, most of which were purchased by Hara from various locations across the country. Ten of these buildings have been designated as Important Cultural Properties, and three more as Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan by the City of Yokohama. The garden suffered extensive damage during World War II. It was donated to the City of Yokohama in 1953 and later entrusted to the Sankeien Hoshokai Foundation for restoration.
Sankeien covers an area of 175,000 square meters and includes ponds, streams, undulating paths designed by Sankei Hara. There’s a number of historic buildings such as the Tomyoji former three-story pagoda and the Former Yanohara House. It was once the private residence of the Yanohara family.
Work on the garden started in 1902 and ended in 1908, two years after it was opened to the public. During Hara’s own lifetime, the place became an aggregation point for Meiji period artists. World War II caused great damage to the buildings. In 1953 the garden was donated by the Hara family to Yokohama. It created the Sankeien Hoshōkai Foundation for its repair and maintenance. The Foundation started the restoration in 1953. Five years later, the garden was back almost to its original form and reopened to the public.
The Japanese government has designated ten structures in Sankeien as Important Cultural Properties. Three more are Tangible Cultural Properties designated by the City of Yokohama. The garden is popular for its cherry blossoms, ume blossoms, and the changing leaves in autumn.
