Rokkaen in Kuwana, Mie Prefecture

Rokkaen in Kuwana, Mie Prefecture

Kuwana used to be a castle town and a post town during the Edo Age(1603 - 1868). Kuwana is located northern part of Mie Prefecture and Kuwana was located strategically important location.

Ruins of Kuwana Castle are located near the mouth of the mouths of the Kiso, Nagara, and Ibi rivers and along the old Tokaido road. Before the technology to build bridges existed, people traveled the approximately 30km journey to Miya (present-day Nagoya) by boat. The pier of "Shichiri-no-Watashi" Ferry was located just north of Kuwana Castle.

Please refer the page of "Ruins of Kuwana Castle":
http://cf916626.cloudfree.jp/HandE_Japan/TravelDestinations/Kansai/KuwanaCastle_E.html

The street to the west from the site of the pier of "Shichiri-no-Watashi" Ferry is the old Tokaido Road for Kyoto, which was the main road between Kyoto and Edo (present-day Tokyo) in the Edo Age.

The area shown in the above picture was the Kuwana Post town in the Edo Age. The former "Honjin" is high-class Japanese restaurant. "Honjin" was the main Japanese styled hotel in a post town, where only feudal lords and their senior vassals stayed when they travel on the old Tokaido road.

After you cross the moat and turn right, you will see traditional buildings along the moat.

These are the building of "Rokkaen" residence. The below picture shows the main entrance of "Rokkaen"

"Rokkaen" used to be a mansion of the second generation of MUROTO Seiroku(1888 - 1969), who was s wealthy business-person. He took over his family's forestry business, producing, processing, and selling forest products.

The mansion were the combination of western and Japanese buildings. The western building was designed by Josiah CONDER(1852 - 1920), who designed "Rokumeikan". "Rokumeikan" was built in order for the Japanese gorvernment to promote Westernization.

In the Japanese style building, a couple of rooms are alliged.

In a room, a couple were taking their wedding memorial photos here.
The couple looked very elegant and beautiful.

The below picture shows the entrance hall of the western building.

In the western-style building, the second-floor balcony was particularly impressive. The scenery of beautiful "Rokkaen" garden from the balcony is very beautiful. The atmosphere of the balcony is also very open and refreshing.

The exterior of Rokkaen's building was also very beautiful. "Rokkaen" has been designated an important property of Japan. A garden spreads out to the south of the mansion. The garden has been designated a national place of scenic beauty.

The garden is a "Chisen-kaiyu" style garden, which means a strolling pond garden. This garden style is the same as a Feudal lords' garden, established during the Muroimachi Age(1336 - 1573).

If you walk to the south from "Rokkaen", you will arrive at "Jyodoji" Temple. In the Jyodoji Temple. the grave of HONDA Tadakatsu(1548 - 1610) is located.

HONDA Tadakatsu was an important vassal of TOKUGAWA Ieyasu(1543 - 1616), known as one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the TOKUGAWA clan. He was the first Fuedal lord of Kuwana Domain in the Edo Age.

Considering the achievements of Honda Tadakatsu, who laid the foundation for the development of Kuwana, I felt his grave was simple.

How to get there
From Tokyo, take a "Nozomi" on the Tokaido Shinkansen, to Nagoya. Change to a local train on the "Kansai Main Line" or Kintetsu Line to Kuwana. Rokkaen is located to the north-east from Kuwana Station, approximately twenty minutes on foot.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Tado Taisha Shrine
Ruins of Kuwana Castle
Mt. Gozaisho
Ruins of Kameyame Castle
Kameyama Castle Town
Seki Post Town