Sankeien Garden (Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Former Province: Musashi)

Sankeien Garden (Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Former Province: Musashi). Yokohama, which developed as one of Japan's leading international trade ports, saw a significant increase in exports from Japan during the Meiji era. This period also witnessed the rise of new wealthy merchants who made their fortunes from scratch. These merchants ventured into various fields such as trade, shipping, and finance, and played a vital role in driving Yokohama's economy. Among them, Hara Sankei (1868-1939) is considered a symbolic figure. Sankei, whose real name was Tomitaro, was born in present-day Gifu City. In his youth, he devoted himself to Confucianism and literature, laying the foundation for his later strong attachment to culture and art. After moving to Tokyo to study at Tokyo Senmon Gakko, he became a teacher at Atomi Girls' School, where he fell in love with his student, Yasu. Yasu was the granddaughter of Hara Zenzaburo (1827-1899), a prominent businessman in Yokohama who ran a silk export company. Despite the obstacles posed by their different social statuses, Zenzaburo was impressed by Sankei's character and talent and welcomed him into the Hara family. Sankei eventually took over the Hara family business, sending his employees abroad to sell Yokohama's silk directly, securing enormous profits. The company grew to be known as one of Japan's 'Five Great Trading Companies.' In 1902, Sankei established his residence in Honmoku, a scenic area overlooking Negishi Bay, south of Yokohama City. The Hara family had purchased the land during Zenzaburo's time. Utilizing his innate aesthetic sense, Sankei created a vast garden on the property, relocating ancient buildings from Kyoto and its surroundings. This garden, which stood in stark contrast to the rapidly developing modern port city of Yokohama, was like a 'paradise.' In 1906, Sankei opened the outer garden to the public, promoting culture in Yokohama by showcasing the meticulously crafted garden, valuable ancient art, and architecture. Sankei's passion for culture and art extended beyond this, as he provided his residence within the garden as an art salon. This serene environment in the heart of the city offered a rare opportunity for artists to engage in and discuss art, nurturing young artists such as Yokoyama Taikan (1868-1958) and Yasuda Yukihiko (1884-1978). The garden also hosted international cultural exchanges, with notable visitors like Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941). However, a significant event that greatly impacted Sankei's life occurred in 1923: the Great Kanto Earthquake. The earthquake devastated central Yokohama, including Kannai and Yamate, halting the city's industry and economy. Sankei, who was in Hakone at the time, returned to Yokohama on foot over four days and immediately took action to lead the reconstruction efforts. As the chairman of the 'Yokohama Reconstruction Association,' he viewed the devastated city as a 'blank slate' and encouraged the creation of a new Yokohama. Thanks to his efforts, Yokohama regained its population and economic strength within a year, achieving a second wave of development. After the earthquake, Sankei shifted his focus from art to social welfare and the overall promotion of the silk export industry, continuing to play a leading role in modern Japan's economy until his death at the age of 70 in 1939. Today, visitors to Sankeien Garden can see a vast 175,000 square meter area with cultural properties and residences centered around a pond. Notably, the Rinshunkaku, built in 1649 as a villa for the Kishu Tokugawa family, showcases the sukiya-zukuri architectural style that flourished in the early Edo period, harmonizing with the water flow. Additionally, the three-story pagoda and main hall of the Tomyoji Temple, originally located in present-day Kizugawa City, Kyoto Prefecture, were relocated to the garden. Both structures, built in 1457, are the oldest in the garden and exemplify Sankei's dedication to preserving historical buildings. During the reconstruction of Yokohama, Sankei wrote the song 'Hama Jiman' to skillfully evoke the citizens' love for their hometown and boost their morale. The lyrics, preserved in the Sankei Memorial Hall within the garden, offer a glimpse of Sankei's deep affection for Yokohama. 'Yokohama is a wonderful place, with the spring haze of the Pacific Ocean. The ship I await will arrive tomorrow, as the seagulls from the sea come to inform me... Yokohama is a wonderful place, when snow falls on the golden port, it piles up like silver, and thousands of ships gather.' Recommended for solo travelers: ★★★ (There are quite a few people, but the place is spacious, so it doesn't feel crowded) Visit date: Weekday afternoon in the 4th week of November Access: About 10 minutes by bus from Negishi Station