Loop Bus Tour of Ogikubo’s Three Gardens: Ōtaguro Park, Tekigaisō Park, Kadokawa Garden
This time, we’ll explore three gardens in Ogikubo, Suginami Ward, Tokyo. Explore the mansions and gardens where cultural figures once lived, each with its own distinct character Starting from JR Chuo-Sobu Line Ogikubo Station Otaguro Park Tekigaiso Park Kadokawa Garden Start of the Ogikubo Three Gardens Tour! The first place I visited was Ōtaguro Park. Passing through the gate, a straight path lined with ginkgo trees leads all the way to the spacious garden. Otaguro Park is famous for its spectacular autumn foliage. I visited in spring, but spring has its own beauty. The miniature garden view, framed like a picture, is also lovely. The sound of water is so soothing, isn’t it? At the Otaguro performance, you can enjoy the flow of water throughout the garden. 大田黒公園は 音楽評論家の大田黒元雄氏の屋敷跡が Otaguro Park is a beautiful Japanese garden developed on the site of the former residence of music critic Motoo Otaguro. Otaguro Park is a beautiful Japanese garden developed on the site of the former residence of music critic Motoo Otaguro. Mototake’s father, Shigegoro Otafuku, was an entrepreneur who joined Mitsui & Co., later restructured the company that became Toshiba, and founded Hakone Hydroelectric Power Company, the predecessor of Tokyo Electric Power Company. Mr. Motoo majored in piano at Tokyo University of the Arts before studying abroad at the University of London. The brick building visible before your eyes was built by Mr. Motoo as his workroom. This building is registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property. I walked around to the front entrance of the building. In front of the entrance, a bamboo fence is erected. Inside the wall, there was a splendid cherry blossom garden. The peak of cherry blossom season had passed, but they still looked beautiful against the pink building. The Former Ōtaguro Family Residence Western-Style Building is now open to the public as a memorial hall. Here is a Steinway piano made in 1900 that was used by Motoo Otaguro. I hear that Mr. Motoo brought it from London. According to the Suginami Gaku Club website, it is a piano manufactured in West Germany. After Motoo’s passing, it remained on display, but after being tuned, it was revived for the “Landscape Town Development Concert” held in November 2000. After that, they raised funds through activities like fundraising drives and carried out a large-scale restoration. In September 2010, this piano was reportedly played at Hamarikyu Asahi Hall. It seems that concerts are held several times a year at Otaguro Park. I’d love to hear that sound someday. In the pond, koi swim gracefully, and it also seems to serve as a resting place for ducks. The trees reflected in the pond are beautiful—this is a top-recommended photo spot. Residents of Suginami Ward can also use the tea room, I hear. A refreshing coolness you wouldn’t expect in the city Next, we headed to Tekigaisō Park. Tekigaisō is famous as the place where politician Fumimaro Konoe lived and committed suicide by poisoning. Originally built in 1927 by Tatsukichi Irizawa, who had served as Imperial Physician to Emperor Taishō. It is said that Fumimaro Konoe acquired it in 1937 and moved there. The architect who designed Tekigisō was Chūta Itō, the founder of Japanese architectural history. Chūta Itō’s representative works include Tsukiji Honganji Temple and Meiji Shrine. Mr. Ito reportedly discovered the Yungang Grottoes in China, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, while researching ancient architecture across Asia. Mr. Ito reportedly discovered the Yungang Grottoes in China, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, while researching ancient architecture across Asia. I feel like Tekigaisō also has a lot of Chinese-style elements. This drum was apparently used to gather reporters during the formation of the Second Konoe Cabinet. The toilet was Western-style. It must have been quite rare at the time. Ogisō Villa was apparently designed freely by Chūta Itō at the request of his friend Tatsukichi Irizawa. It was apparently called “Fūtekisō” at the time. This building may well be the culmination of Chuta Ito’s technical expertise. After the passing of Mr. Fumimaro Konoe, his second son, Michitaka, succeeded as the head of the Tekigaisō estate. There were also personal effects belonging to Fumimaro Konoe. A model offering a bird’s-eye view of the entire Tekigaisō Park is also on display. Following the death of his second son, Michitaka, the site was acquired by Suginami Ward in 2014 and restored, then designated a national historic site in 2016. Following the death of his second son, Michitaka, the site was acquired by Suginami Ward in 2014 and restored, then designated a national historic site in 2016. The challenges and behind-the-scenes stories of the restoration are featured in “LIXIL Business Information.” The park was developed and opened to the public in 2024, which is quite recent. The parlor where the “Ogikubo Talks” took place has a tablet installed, allowing you to experience the scene through AR. Everyone is moving around on the screen! Fumimaro Konoe, Yōsuke Matsuoka, Zengō Yoshida, Hideki Tōjō (titles omitted) A tablet was also set up near the window overlooking the garden. You can compare it to the garden as it was when Fumimaro Konoe lived there. The annex is currently operating as a cafe. While gazing out at the courtyard, you can enjoy carefully selected, artisanal sweets and other delicacies. It was a bit pricey for me, so I hesitated. I only bought masking tape. I came to the study where it was said that Fumimaro Konoe had committed suicide by poisoning. Originally a Western-style room, it was renovated by Mr. Fumimaro Konoe into a Japanese-style room in the sukiya style. In the space that used to be the cafeteria, they were showing an informational video about the facility. The Ogikubo Three Gardens website features the “Ogaiso 3D Walkthrough,” allowing visitors to experience the framework of Ogaiso in a virtual space—a truly worthwhile experience. The Ogikubo Three Gardens website features the “Ogaiso 3D Walkthrough,” allowing visitors to experience the framework of Ogaiso in a virtual space—a truly worthwhile experience. I was amazed to learn that building restoration involves a process of stripping it down to just the framework. I was amazed to learn that building restoration involves a process of stripping it down to just the framework. What arrived was the Green Slow Mobility connecting Ogikubo Station and San Koen. I wanted to ride it, but it was full. I walked to Kadokawa Garden. This was the residence of Mr. Genyoshi Kadokawa, founder of Kadokawa Shoten. Donated to Suginami Ward, it has been open to the public as a garden since 2009. Mr. Kadokawa Genyoshi was also active as a haiku poet. The building was designed by Mr. Akio Kakurai, a fellow haiku enthusiast. This room served as Mr. Kadokawa Genyoshi’s reception room and study. Anyone can view it. The other rooms are rented out as poetry rooms or tea rooms, so I don’t think you can usually see them. It seemed a tea ceremony was being held in the inner room that day as well. The occasional rattling of the window somehow feels nostalgic. This mansion is said to be called “Gengi Sanbō.” A small path leads from beside the entrance to the garden, where trees grow thickly. Plum, azalea, crape myrtle, and more— apparently, they planted some 400 trees for haiku. Planting trees and flowers for haiku—I’m truly impressed that gardens can serve such a purpose. It is indeed a beautiful garden. Planting trees and flowers for haiku—I’m truly impressed that gardens can serve such a purpose. It is indeed a beautiful garden. Living in a house with a garden makes me feel like my heart would have more space. I tried to take the Green Slow Mobility on the way back, but it was full again. I walked to Ogikubo Station, but there’s a follow-up to this story. Seikō Lodging, a boarding house founded in 1916 (still in operation) Nagayamon Gate of the Meiji Emperor’s Ogikubo Resting Place I came back to Ogikubo another day. Riding my long-awaited Green slow mobility vehicle, feeling great♫ The car features a guided audio tour of Ogikubo 3 Parks. We arrived at Otaguro Park in no time, but we skipped it. Our destination this time is precisely Tekigaisō. I came to see the new Tekigaisō Exhibition Building next to Tekigaisō Park, Since I’d come all this way, I figured I might as well see the garden, so I walked around it. As you can tell from the cicadas chirping, it’s summer. From September to November, “Aozora Yoga” will be held three times here. I tried to sign up, but it seems the sessions filled up in no time. Unfortunately, I missed my chance, but I hope they’ll hold it again sometime. This is the newly constructed exhibition building next to Tekigaisō Park. This building was designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates. The first floor houses a shop and café; the second floor features a compact exhibition space. The items sold at the shop were mostly the same as those at Tekigaisō. We ordered coffee. The taste was just okay, but the portion was generous. The system was to secure a seat first and then order at the counter. It took a while for the food to arrive since the place just opened and the staff were still getting the hang of things, but I’m sure they’ll improve going forward. It took a while for the food to arrive since the place just opened and the staff were still getting the hang of things, but I’m sure they’ll improve going forward. This time, I was able to ride the Green Slow Mobility on the way back too. With an open design like a golf cart, it feels refreshingly airy. I turned off the audio because the ladies riding with me were talking loudly the whole time. Enjoy the scenery along with the music. Greer Slow Mobility began full-scale operation in November 2024 and operates 24 trips per day. The fare at the time of filming was 100 yen. This vehicle is made by Yamaha and seats five people. The other one is made by Tajima and seats seven people. The Green Slow Mobility route is approximately 2.5 km per lap. I felt lucky to experience both vehicles—they’re incredibly comfortable, so everyone should definitely try them out! Green Slow Mobility is an electric vehicle that runs on public roads at speeds under 20 km/h. Environmentally friendly, offering scenic views, and a relatively quiet ride. It’s just as fast as a bicycle, so you can even ride through the shopping district. The reason most pedestrians don’t turn around is because Green Slow Mobility is recognized by the local community. I hope it spreads nationwide so it can be used more as a means of transportation for the elderly. We have arrived at the Ogikubo Station West Exit bus stop, our departure and arrival point. Thank you for watching until the very end!
#ogikuboThreeGardens
#ogikubo
#loopbus
#slowmobility
※Turn on subtitles to read the video description.
—————————————————————————————————-
I’ve listed the locations featured in this video on Google Maps.
Please view them via the link below.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mLzVPRzpV6ke2GYPA
—————————————————————————————————-
▼Ogikubo Three Gardens Official Website
https://ogikubo3gardens.jp/
▼Suginami Gaku Club: Green Slow Mobility
https://www.suginamigaku.org/2024/07/green-slow-mobility.html
▼LIXIL Business Information
https://www.biz-lixil.com/column/manufacturing/tile040/index.html
When I visited the Mitaka City Yamamoto Yuzo Memorial Museum for a photo shoot, I happened to learn that the Konoe exhibition was being held there.
I heard that Tekigaisō, where Konoe Fumimaro lived, had been opened to the public, so I really wanted to go and looked into it.
That’s when I discovered there are three large parks in Ogikubo collectively known as the “Ogikubo Three Gardens.”
I decided to visit all of them and found out that there was a loop bus that went around the three gardens.
It was a small slow mobility vehicle with limited capacity, so I couldn’t ride it that day.
I tried again right after the Tekigaisō Exhibition Building, designed by Kengo Kuma, opened next to Tekigaisō.
I was able to experience two types of green slow mobility vehicles, and the ride was very comfortable!
Each of the three gardens has its own unique atmosphere, and I want to visit again in different seasons.
Ota Kuro Park is famous for its autumn leaves, but the cherry blossom season is also wonderful.