Tonogayato Garden
Encyclopedia
is a traditional Japanese garden
located in Kokubunji, Tokyo
. Its name comes from the region's old name, Tonogayato, Kokubunji village. The garden covers an area of 21,124 m2.
group. In 1929, the garden was purchased by the founder of Mitsubishi, Iwasaki Yatarō, who completed it as a circular style garden with a tea house
. It was used as a villa for the Iwasaki Family. In response to a plan to develop the area for other uses, local residents started a campaign to preserve the garden. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government eventually purchased it in 1974 and opened it to the public in 1979. In 1998, the Tonogayato Garden was designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty
by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
forest at the bottom. There is a depression in the pond containing a natural spring called Jiro Benten that provides large quantities of fresh water. Water that runs off the cliff is a part of the source of the Nogawa River. A tea house
called Koyo-tei is also situated in the gardens.
A wide variety of flora and fauna can be found in the garden, including a variety of plants that flower through the course of the year: shibateranthis pinnatifida, dogtooth violet, cypripedium japonicum
, cephalanthera erecta, bellflowers
, fragrant goldband lily
, false anemone, orange spider lily and toad lilies. Japanese ternstroemias are the most prevalent species of tree in the gardens, due to Koyata Iwasaki's fondness for the tree.
The garden is a 2-minute walk from Kokubunji Station
on the JR Chūō Line
, Seibu Kokubunji Line, and Seibu Tamako Line.
Japanese garden
, that is, gardens in traditional Japanese style, can be found at private homes, in neighborhood or city parks, and at historical landmarks such as Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines and old castles....
located in Kokubunji, Tokyo
Kokubunji, Tokyo
is a city in Tokyo, Japan.As of 1 June 2008, the city has an estimated population of 117,335 . The total area is 11.48 km²...
. Its name comes from the region's old name, Tonogayato, Kokubunji village. The garden covers an area of 21,124 m2.
History
The garden was laid out between 1913-15 in the grounds of a villa built for Eguchi Teijo, the Vice-President of the Manchurian Railway, who was a senior director of the MitsubishiMitsubishi
The Mitsubishi Group , Mitsubishi Group of Companies, or Mitsubishi Companies is a Japanese multinational conglomerate company that consists of a range of autonomous businesses which share the Mitsubishi brand, trademark and legacy...
group. In 1929, the garden was purchased by the founder of Mitsubishi, Iwasaki Yatarō, who completed it as a circular style garden with a tea house
Tea house
A tea house or tearoom is a venue centered on drinking tea. Its function varies widely depending on the culture, and some cultures have a variety of distinct tea-centered houses or parlors that all qualify under the English language term "tea house" or "tea room."-Asia:In Central Asia this term...
. It was used as a villa for the Iwasaki Family. In response to a plan to develop the area for other uses, local residents started a campaign to preserve the garden. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government eventually purchased it in 1974 and opened it to the public in 1979. In 1998, the Tonogayato Garden was designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty
Monuments of Japan
is a collective term used by the Japanese government's Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties to denote Cultural Properties of JapanIn this article, capitals indicate an official designation as opposed to a simple definition, e.g "Cultural Properties" as opposed to "cultural properties"...
by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Features
The garden is centered around a pond and uses the natural terrain of the Musashino Plateau by incorporating the valleys found in the terrace cliffs into its design. The highlight is the strikingly different types of landscape: a scenic spacious lawn on the top, steep slopes, a pond with waterfalls and bambooBamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
forest at the bottom. There is a depression in the pond containing a natural spring called Jiro Benten that provides large quantities of fresh water. Water that runs off the cliff is a part of the source of the Nogawa River. A tea house
Tea house
A tea house or tearoom is a venue centered on drinking tea. Its function varies widely depending on the culture, and some cultures have a variety of distinct tea-centered houses or parlors that all qualify under the English language term "tea house" or "tea room."-Asia:In Central Asia this term...
called Koyo-tei is also situated in the gardens.
A wide variety of flora and fauna can be found in the garden, including a variety of plants that flower through the course of the year: shibateranthis pinnatifida, dogtooth violet, cypripedium japonicum
Cypripedium japonicum
The Japan Cypripedium is a species of orchid....
, cephalanthera erecta, bellflowers
Campanula
Campanula is one of several genera in the family Campanulaceae with the common name bellflower. It takes its name from their bell-shaped flowers—campanula is Latin for "little bell"....
, fragrant goldband lily
Lilium auratum
Lilium auratum is one of the true lilies. It is native to Japan and is sometimes called the golden rayed lily of Japan or the goldband lily.-Description:...
, false anemone, orange spider lily and toad lilies. Japanese ternstroemias are the most prevalent species of tree in the gardens, due to Koyata Iwasaki's fondness for the tree.
The garden is a 2-minute walk from Kokubunji Station
Kokubunji Station
is a railway station on the Chūō Line in Kokubunji, Tokyo, Japan. It is operated by East Japan Railway Company and Seibu Railway Company. It has six platforms...
on the JR Chūō Line
Chuo Line (Rapid)
The is the name given to rapid services on the eastern section of the Chūō Main Line operated by the East Japan Railway Company between and stations.-Basic data:*Operator: East Japan Railway Company **Tokyo – Takao:...
, Seibu Kokubunji Line, and Seibu Tamako Line.