This Japanese-style hotel opened in 1951 and has undergone several additional renovations since then. Being built at the old site of a former house of Suminokura Ryoi, who was a local wealthy merchant, this ryokan sells its elegant Japanese garden designed by Kobori Enshu. Kobori Enshu was a feudal lord in present Shiga Prefecture in the 17th century. He also was a leading landscape gardener, master of the tea ceremony and ceramist. A detached dining room from the main building named Kankyu-ro, which is the oldest building of the ryokan, features a renowned garden. A Chinese soapberry tree over 300 years old standing in the garden conveys the long history of the site. The first photo shows the interior of Kankyu-ro dining room. The second one is the exterior of Kankyu-ro over the garden.
Comments