What is the "Former Iwasaki Residence Garden" in Taito-ku, Tokyo? This video, titled "Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens – Area Information｜Video Website｜Machi Log," introduces Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens, a wooden, European-style building that was built more than 120 years ago in 1896 (year 29 of Meiji), for the founder of Mitsubishi, Hisaya Iwasaki. Due to the dissolution of the zaibatsu, as directed by SCAP after the war, the Iwasaki Family residence was requisitioned and they lost much of the buildings and garden; however it was later returned to the Japanese government. Presently, there are 3 buildings left, the Western-style building (main building), the billiard room, and the Japanese-style building. They are designated as important cultural properties. The building itself was designed by the Englishman, Josiah Conder. An authentic, wooden, Western-style 2 story building with a basement was very rare at the time and it is said to have eventually had a large influence on modern day Japanese housing. All of the Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens is open to the public as a metropolitan garden, and there is also a café there so it's teeming with people during lunchtime or seasons in which you can see the cherry blossoms and autumn foliage. The elegant Western-style building is also used for filming many TV dramas and movies thanks to its beautiful appearance. The Highlights of Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens Source :YouTube screenshot There are so many points of interest at Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens that we couldn't possibly cover them in one go. The architecture of the semi-Western mansion representing the wealthy of the Meiji era (1868-1912) immediately after the opening of the country, is considered to be a very modern style even by present-day standards. When you enter the house, the decorations, including vines wrapping around the wooden columns, catch one's eyes immediately. This particular design is called Jacobian-style architecture and was very popular in 19th century England. This can be seen from 1:10 in the video. The wooden billiards room is designed in the style of a Swiss mountain hut, which was rare in Japan at that time. The Japanese-style building, which was used by Hisaya Iwasaki, was decorated with screen paintings by the great Japanese artist, Masakuni Hashimoto. The billiards room can be seen at 1:58, and the Japanese-style building can be seen at 2:33 in the video. Finally, the greatest highlight of Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens is the rose garden that colors the entire lawn. In autumn, the Autumn Festival is held, and the scent of its roses fill the entire Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens, captivating the many visitors. On the other hand, the serene Japanese-style garden has the look of a traditional Japanese garden, with garden stones, lanterns, and artificial miniature hills. At tea ceremonies, you can enjoy tea and Japanese confectioneries while enjoying the scenic nature of the seasons at the beautiful Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens. The Tumultuous History of Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens Source :YouTube screenshot Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens is located at Ikenohata 1-chome, Taito-ku, Tokyo, where the residence of the Takada Domain was located in the Edo period (1603-1868). After the Meiji Restoration, due to the abolition of feudal domains and the establishment of prefectures in 1871, the Takada Domain was dissolved and it became the property of the former Maizuru clan governor, Sukeshige Makino. However, it was bought by Yataro Iwasaki who was part of a zaibatsu, and the 3rd generation head of that family, Hisaya Iwasaki, built Kyu-Iwasaki-tei. After the war, the zaibatsu were dissolved by SCAP, the building became government controlled, and was managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. It is indeed a monument that has survived a tumultuous history to the present day. Summary of Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens Photo：Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens, the foundation of Japan's modern architecture, is currently undergoing restoration work on the lawn and is partly off-limits as of April 2020. Tours are still taking place; however, so why not visit Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens and get a taste of Japanese history? Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Garden, a pillar of Japanese architectural history, is where Japan's modern architectural culture began. ◆Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens|Facility Overview ◆ 【Address】1-3-45 Ikenohata, Taito Ward, Tokyo 110-0008 【Access】A 3-minute walk from Yushima Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line (~10-minute walk from Shinobazu lake) walk from Shinobazu Pond） 【Admission Fee】General ¥400, Seniors over 65 ¥200, free for elementary school students and below and junior high school students who reside or attend school in Tokyo, and various discount rates such as group discounts 【Hours】9:00～16:30 【Closures】End of the Year, New Year’s Holiday 【Parking】Not available 【Telephone Number】03-3823-8340 【Official Website】Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens｜Let’s go to the park！ https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/index035.html 【Tripadvisor】Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1066461-d321036-Reviews-Kyu_Iwasakitei_Teien-Taito_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

The Tomioka Silk Mill - A World Heritage Site! This video, titled "Japan's Tomioka Silk Mill registered as World Heritage Site" (明治時代に生糸産業革新 世界遺産の富岡製糸場), was uploaded by "KyodoNews." It introduces the Tomioka Silk Mill in Gunma, a World Heritage Site of Japan. In 2014, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee approved the "Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites" as a World Heritage Site. The Tomioka Silk Mill is a historically important place where technological innovation and a silk industry revolution were achieved in Japan during the Meiji Period (1868-1912). About the Tomioka Silk Mill Photo：Gunma Prefecture・Tomioka Silk Mill The Tomioka Silk Mill is known as the birthplace of modern industry. Formerly known as Hara Tomioka Silk Mill, Tomioka Silk Mill Co., Ltd., Katakura Tomioka Silk Mill, and Kataoka Industry Tomioka Silk Mill, the Tomioka Silk Mill has a long history of changing names. Businessman Eiichi Shibusawa was one of the founders of Tomioka Silk Mill. The "Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites," along with, Takayama-sha, the Tajima Residence, and the Arafune Cold Storage at 4:08 in the video, are all registered as a World Heritage Sites. In addition, the entire site of the Tomioka Silk Mill has been designated a national historic site, and the early buildings have been designated National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. As can be seen at 0:35 in the video, the National Diet Library has a woodblock print depicting the factory at the time of its construction. During the Meiji Period, the construction of a factory that introduced foreign technology was major news in Japan. What to Do at the Tomioka Silk Mill Photo：Gunma Prefecture・East cocoon Hall The wooden-brick building of the Tomioka Silk Mill's raw silk factory is one of the largest instrumental silk mills in the world. The former nameplate of the Tomioka Mill hangs at the entrance of the building. The Inspector’s House is shown at 1:27 in the video and the east cocoon warehouse is shown at 1:45 in the video. The arch in the corridor of the east cocoon warehouse bears the engraving "明治5年" (Meiji 5, or 1872 on the Gregorian calendar) the year it was built. A replica of a reeling machine imported from France and an automatic reeling machine are preserved in the reel mill next to the east cocoon warehouse. From 3:17, you can see Bruna Museum and at 3:57, you can see west cocoon warehouse. Summary of the Tomioka Silk Mill Photo：Gunma Prefecture・Tomioka Silk Mill The video gives an easy-to-undertstand summary of the history of the Tomioka Silk Mill while also showing footage of the mill. If you're planning to go to the Tomioka Silk Mill or interested in World Heritage Sites of Japan, we recommend watching the video beforehand so you know what's in store for you. Near the Tomioka Silk Mill, you'll also find lunch spots where you can eat Gunma's specialty, Okkirikomi, and shops where you can buy silk souvenirs related to the Tomioka Silk Mill. ◆Information◆ 【Address】1-1 Tomioka, Tomioka, Gunma 【Access】Please visit the homepage for access information 【Hours】9 am to 5 pm 【Admission fee】1,000 yen for adults, 250 yen for high school and college students, 150 yen for junior high school and elementary school students 【Parking】None 【Telephone No】0274-67-0075 【Official Website】Tomioka Silk Mill http://www.tomioka-silk.jp.e.wv.hp.transer.com/tomioka-silk-mill/?_ga=2.87418712.1764734922.1592978453-1081752571.1591957850 【Tripadvisor】Tomioka Silk Mill https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1021202-d1860844-Reviews-Tomioka_Silk_Mill-Tomioka_Gunma_Prefecture_Kanto.html