Kyu Iwasaki-tei Gardens

Kyu Iwasaki-tei Gardens (旧岩崎邸庭園) is a magnificent testament to the wealth and international influence of the Iwasaki Family, the founders of the Mitsubishi group. Completed in 1896, the estate served as the primary residence for Hisaya Iwasaki, the third president of the company. While the original grounds once spanned a much larger area, the remaining three structures and the surrounding lawn provide a rare, high-fidelity glimpse into the lifestyle of Japan’s industrial elite during the Meiji era. After World War II, the property passed into government possession, and today, the buildings are preserved as Important Cultural Assets of Japan.

The Architectural Vision of Josiah Conder

The estate is world-renowned for its Western-style house, designed by the British architect Josiah Conder, who is often referred to as the “father of modern Japanese architecture.” The building is a masterful blend of 17th-century English Jacobean style and Pennsylvania country house motifs, featuring a striking wrap-around veranda and intricate woodwork. One of the most unique features is the separate Billiard Room, designed in the style of a Swiss mountain chalet—a highly unusual aesthetic for Tokyo at the time—which is connected to the main house via a secret underground passage.

Contrasting the Western grandeur is the connected Japanese-style building, which was used for the family’s daily living and traditional ceremonies. Built in the shoin-zukuri style, it features delicate screen paintings, tatami rooms, and exquisite carpentry that reflects the family’s deep ties to Japanese heritage despite their outward Westernization. The surrounding gardens, though reduced in size, maintain a large lawn and a collection of ancient stone lanterns and monuments that bridge the gap between the two architectural worlds. Whether you are an architecture enthusiast or a history buff, a visit to Kyu Iwasaki-tei offers a profound look at the era when Japan first stepped onto the global stage.