illumination

[Inawashiro Town, Fukushima Prefecture] “Tenkyokaku” is a Western-style building loved by the imperial family! Let's wear a Meiji dress and become a lady!

  • sugar
  • Last updated: 2024.10.8

Tenkyokaku the villa of Imperial Prince Arisugawa Takehito , located in Inawashiro Town . It is located just at the west end of Lake Inawashiro. It has a Renaissance-style interior, and is one of the most sophisticated and beautiful buildings among the many Western-style buildings in Japan.

It is a nationally designated important cultural property and has been visited not only by Arisugawa Palace but also by Emperor Showa and Emperor Taisho. It was originally planned as a guest house for Emperor Taisho's visit.

This time, we will thoroughly introduce Inawashiro's Western-style building, Tenkyokaku, which was loved by the imperial family.

The roots of Tenkyokaku

In fact, when Emperor Taisho visited, he named it ``Tenkyokaku'', comparing the clear Lake Inawashiro below to a mirror.

Tenkyokaku was built in 1908 (Meiji 41) by Imperial Prince Takehito. However, at that time there was no electricity in this area, so they purposely extended the electric wire for this Western-style building.

The reason is Lake Inawashiro, which later became the origin of its name. Fascinated by this sight, Arisugawa Palace insisted on building a Western-style mansion on this site, even if electricity could be brought in from far away.

Exterior of Tenkyokaku

The building is basically two stories high, with a tower attached to the third floor. This is the observation room. Each octagonal wall has a window, allowing you to enjoy the magnificent scenery of Inawashiro.

Another famous lodging facility for imperial visits is Jinpukaku in Tottori City. This one was built the year before Tenkyokaku, and there are many similarities.

It resembles a two-story wooden building, a brightly painted chalk exterior, and a perfect fusion of North American style and Renaissance style.

Differences from ordinary Western-style buildings

The difference is probably the tower attached to the third floor. Tenkyokaku is unique in its function to enjoy the scenery.

In addition to the observation room, there was a veranda that jutted out to the south, and this private room with a stylish colonnaded veranda belonged to the Prince.

This is done so that you can always see the spectacular view.

A typical Western-style building, like Jinpukaku, has a symmetrical and flat structure. However, because the emphasis was placed on the view, Tenkyokaku deviated from this principle and was extremely three-dimensional, with overhangs, depth, and numerous bay windows.

Enjoy tea elegantly at the guest dining room

When you come to Tenkyokaku, you should definitely enjoy tea time at the guest dining room.

A royalty set is available for 600 yen, and only when you order it will the rope be removed and you can enter the dining room.

There are luxurious long tables and chairs, and everything is filled with exquisite furniture.

It is an extremely gorgeous place where you can enjoy high-quality tea while imagining the space where members of the imperial family dined. The set comes with seasonal sweets. Roll cakes, pound cakes, baked chocolates, etc. are offered.

*Tea service is available for a limited time
in 2018 from April 21st (Saturday) to November 25th (Sunday). Open daily from 10am to 3:30pm.

Become a noble and enjoy yourself

If you have a small number of people, we recommend seating facing each other by the window rather than a long table. Enjoy Royal Darjeeling while being surrounded by gentle light.

You'll have a great time and feel like you're part of the royal family. Mr. Tamori also visited here when he was filming Omotebandai in Bura Tamori. They said they enjoyed tea and croquettes, which I will introduce later.

Trying on dresses is popular among women

For women, we recommend trying on a dress. For as low as 500 yen, you can dress in Meiji-era dresses or brightly colored dresses made from local Aizu cotton.

Even if you've never worn a formal dress before and are worried about whether you'll be able to wear it properly, don't worry, our professional staff will carefully help you put it on.

After you finish changing in the costume room, you can have your photo taken in the large hall. Afterwards, you can freely tour the museum while wearing the dress.

Feeling the luxurious dress against your skin as you drag the hem of your dress as you walk around the villa, you will truly feel like a princess. It is an experience that every woman dreams of.

*The dress try-on experience is available for a limited time
in 2018, from April 21st (Saturday) to November 25th (Sunday). Open every day from 10am to 4pm.

The interior looks like a doll's room

Since Inawashiro is a cold region, each room and hallway is equipped with a fireplace. The decorated mirror above the fireplace is large and eye-catching.

Everything from the wash basin to the bathtub to the tassels on the ceiling is stylish and elaborate. It's cute and gives the impression that the accessories in the Licca doll's room have been enlarged.

There are a variety of rooms to enjoy, including a billiards game room with unusual four-pronged lighting, and guest rooms that are mainly designed in the Meiji style, a Japanese take on the gorgeous Rococo style of France.

What are the popular items at the store?

Tenkyokaku has a shop. The recommended item is the ``Ukute Ginger Nee'' (630 yen). Domestic ginger and perilla from Fukushima Prefecture are used.

It goes perfectly with rice, and if you put a little on it, you can eat as many bowls of rice as you want. The effect of ginger will make your body feel warm. It is also said to be good for colds.

Tenkyokaku Kele Rice (curry rice), croquettes, and Kele bread are also popular. It contains ground meat, which was a rare ingredient at the time.

You can eat the food you buy at the shop, such as kereh rice, outside in the garden.

Summary about Tenkyokaku

This time, we have introduced Tenkyokaku, a historic Western-style building that is a purveyor to the imperial family. It is so detailed and carefully made that it has been designated as a nationally designated important cultural property.

The exterior and interior use unique designs, techniques, and accessories, and you'll never get tired of looking at them.

It's fun just to be inside the building, but you can also eat cake in the same place where high-ranking guests ate there. Furthermore, women can wear dresses and roam freely around the facility. A valuable experience that can only be had here awaits you.

Tenkyokaku＜Information＞

  • Name: Tenkyokaku
  • Address: 1048 Onizawa Gotenyama, Inawashiro-cho, Yama-gun, Fukushima Prefecture 969-3285
  • Phone number: 0242-65-2811
  • Official URL: https://www.tif.ne.jp/tenkyokaku/

Google Map

Articles that may be related to this article

Other articles