These gardens originally belonged to Mutsu Munemitsu, a Foreign Minister who made an outstanding contribution to Japan's modernization late in the 19th century Thereafter, it was handed over to the then master of Furukawa Family, one of the giant family combines in Japan. He committed this house and western-style gardens in the first picture to Jasiah Conder, a British architect, and the Japanese gardens in the second picture to Ogawa Jihei, a well known gardener in Kyoto. The right of ownership was transferred to the Japanese government after the Second World War, but this property is managed by Tokyo Metropolitan Government for free now, to open to the public. These gardens and old house have been well-maintained following the original figure since its completion at the beginning of the 20th century. This place is one of the leading examples of Japanese tradition in harmony with western practicality.
Licensed tour guide, travel consultant,
Masahisa Takaki.
