Jeepney Press / Lala Lopez de Leon

Walk with me: Kyu Iwasaki-tei Gardens Ikenohata

By Lala Lopez de Leon

Despite the chilly weather setting in the start of winter, I still feel the need to walk…a physical activity that is easy and natural for me, or for anyone.

But it was because of the chilly weather that I was inclined to not overdo it, not to venture far out. So, here I am again, exploring Ueno area. I remember that I made a mental note to visit another Mitsubishi heritage property in Ikenohata, as I saw a signpost pointing to its location, on my way to the Ueno Tax Office.

1896 - in the Philippine historical timeline, that was the year the Philippine Revolution began in August, and Jose P. Rizal was executed at Bagumbayan in December.

The Kyu Iwasaki-tei was one of the residences of Hisaya Iwasaki and his father Yataro Iwasaki, who founded the Mitsubishi group of companies. Hisaya ran the company for 22 years, and it was during his time that the Japanese industry had advanced rapidly catching up with the West.

Another jewel among the various properties of the family that founded the Mitsubishi financial group, the Kyu Iwasaki-tei Gardens was built in 1896 in the style of both the Japanese and Western architecture. I seem to be fascinated by the heritage properties of Mitsubishi as I have visited a number of them, particularly in the Marunouchi area around the Tokyo Station.

There were originally about 20 buildings on a sprawling property of about 5 hectares, but today only the Japanese Hall (Hiroma), the Western-style residence, and the billiard room that remain.

The interior of the western-style residence was designed by the British architect Josiah Condor, who was instrumental in promoting Western-style architecture in Japan, and the Kyu Iwasaki-tei Gardens altogether was the first site to combine Japanese and Western styles.

While the original Meiji-era style Japanese Garden has changed over the years, one can still see the stone well in what used to be a pond and there are stone pathways in the garden surrounding the property.

Kyu Iwasaki-tei Gardens

https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/teien/en/kyu-iwas aki/outline.html

Open from 9:00 – 17:00 (entry until 16:30)

Entrance fee: ¥400 (For 65 years old and over ¥200)

Accomplishment for today’s walk around this beautiful property and a little browsing of shops in the Ameya Yokocho market: 8,655 steps.