"Okochi-sanso" in Arashiyama, Kyoto, originally was a private villa of a former movie star.

Okochi Denjiro, who was a very well-known actor in the samurai film before the second World War, poured most earnings as an actor into this mountain villa construction. As cinema film's quality preservation period was comparatively short in those years, the life span of the beautiful scenery in the film he acted with was limited. So, he wanted to build a beautiful Japanese garden with eternal life instead. It took about 30 years to be completed, and he died soon after the completion. The traditional Japanese garden laid out on the undulating site, about 20,000 square meters, wears so natural and effortless beauty. The old wooden buildings, which were matching his taste, are scattered in this garden. Most of them are designated as registered tangible cultural properties. The picture shows "Tekisuian" tea house and its front garden in autumn.

Licensed tour guide, travel consultant,

Masahisa Takaki.

全国通訳案内士　高木聖久。