Jardin Sankei-en

Activités et attraits, Art et musées

The vast classical Japan garden covering over 175,000 square meters, renowned for its seasonal beauty.

Sankeien contains many hisotrical houses and buildings that are recognized as being culturally significant by the government. These buildings were brought to the park from locations all over the Japan, and include a three storied pagoda located high up on a hill deep inside the garden. This pagoda, originally constructed in Kyoto in the mid-1400s, was relocated to Sankei-en in 1914.

The entire garden was once the private home of Tomitaro “Sankei” Hara (1869-1939) an extremely wealthy silk merchant. It was opened to the public in 1906.

As you stroll through the park you will find bridges, streams, small waterfalls, bamboo groves, and ponds. The house that Hara and his family lived in (Kakushokaku) is huge; a sprawling, flat dwelling with dozens of spacious, interconnected tatami rooms, overlooking a private green lawn.

In late March or early April, the cherry blossoms (sakura) are in full bloom. In July and August, there is a pond just inside the entrance that is bursting with the beauty of thousands of Japanese pink lotus blossoms. In late autumn, you can enjoy the changing color of the leaves. In winter, plum blossoms (ume) start to bloom in mid to late February; nature’s way of telling the Japanese people that winter is almost over.