Tamozawa Imperial Villa which was once an official residence to royal family when they escaped the heat of summer from the palace, is one of the largest wooden structures in Japan. The building was first built into a 3-storied sections linking to its existing palace at Akasaka (Former name of Tokyo), in year 1632 by Empress Meisho, as a living place for her relatives. The building after demolished in year 1898, was rebuilt with expansion around the same frame one year later, at the current site of Nikko. The new royal residence was used as a summer home to Emperor Taisho to run away from the brutal heat of the capital city until 1925..
During World War II, this was the place where Emperor Showa fled from his palace, after Japan evacuated in 1943. The bomb shelters that built into the gardens of the building are still existing at site.
After the war, The Imperial Villa held no official capacity and became near abandoned until it was restored and opened as a museum in year 2000.
The Imperial villa was built nestled within a series of courtyards, designed to direct the external cool air from outside to flowing through the rooms.
The gardens with meticulously maintained landscape and widely grown old trees, besides and behind the buildings are gorgeous.
The moss garden
Tamozawa Imperial Villa is a fascinating tribute to its nation, architecturally and historically. Many seniors visited the place and enjoyed those days in their memories.
The ancient trees at the beginning stage of turning colors are most beautiful.
The brilliant fall foliage at site
There are about 100 rooms in the villa and each room was defined with purposes for the stay of the royal family. Windows of the room offer scenic sights of the garden.
The buildings of Nikko Imperial Summer Villa is maintained as a beautiful and an interesting display of what the life of the royal members was like.
The interesting display at Nikko Imperial Summer Villa in addition to its intriguing narrations have brought the past to life.
The train takes two hours from Asakusa Station to Nikko rail station. We had a day trip to visit the scenic and unique old city during an interval of our Tokyo trip.
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