Kyu-Iwasaki Gardens Photo Guide
Imagine stepping off a bustling Tokyo street and finding yourself in front of a 17th-century English manor. This isn’t a film set; it’s the Kyu-Iwasaki Gardens, a stunning time capsule of Meiji-era opulence. The famed British architect Josiah Conder designed it for the founder of Mitsubishi. This estate is a treasure trove for photographers and history buffs. It blends Jacobean grandeur with exquisite Japanese craftsmanship and even a hint of Islamic design. This guide will show you how to best capture its unique beauty.
As you explore the mansion, your camera will be drawn to the incredible details. Notice the intricate Jacobean-style carvings on the grand columns and doors. The real surprise is the rare Kinkarakawa wallpaper. That’s a stunning Japanese craft where metallic foil is hammered onto washi paper, creating the look of embossed leather. On the first-floor verandah, look down to find vibrant, Islamic-influenced tiles, a testament to the tastes of the Iwasaki family.
A lawn with a few lanterns and stone work occupies the rear of the property. I’ve been to a saxophone concert there. And as mentioned, there are two other buildings – a billiard house and a Japanese-style residence that is now a teahouse. Can you even imagine what an estate like this cost the Iwasaki family back in 1896?
How to photograph Kyu-Iwasaki Gardens
- Photographing the front of the mansion is difficult as the sun rarely directly shines on it. A small window of opportunity for that photo exists in the late afternoon from mid-May to mid-August.
- Take a wide-angle lens, as many of the rooms are small.
- Zooms are great for focusing on architectural details.
- Flashes aren’t allowed, so bump up your ISO.
Plan your visit: All you need to know
Where are the gardens?
Address: 1-3-45 Ikenohata, Taito City, Tokyo
Here it is on a Google map:
Closest train stations
- Yushima Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line (about a five-minute walk).
- Ueno Station is further away. It’s a fifteen-minute walk, but many train and metro lines serve it.
Car parking
None available
Opening hours
- 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- It is closed over the New Year’s holiday, from December 29 to January 1.
Admissions costs
¥400
Admin office phone number
03-3823-8340
Kyu-Iwasaki Gardens rules
- No photography inside the house on weekends.
- Shoes aren’t allowed in the house (including verandahs). You will be provided with a plastic bag to carry them.
More Photography Spots in Ueno
- National Museum of Nature and Science
- Shitamachi museum (tells the story of Tokyo’s “downtown” areas)
- Ueno Toshogu (shrine)
- Yushima Tenjin (shrine famous for flowers)
A brief history of the Kyu-Iwasaki Gardens
The story of these grounds is about power and change in Japan. Once the domain of samurai lords in the Edo period, the land was purchased in 1896 by Hisaya Iwasaki, heir to the burgeoning Mitsubishi empire. He commissioned ‘the father of modern Japanese architecture,’ Josiah Conder, to build a residence. It would symbolize his country’s place on the world stage.
The sprawling estate was a statement of wealth and international sophistication. Though its size was reduced after WWII and a period of government use, the core of Iwasaki’s vision—the mansion and billiards house—was preserved. Today, it is an Important Cultural Asset for us to experience.
Conclusion
Kyu-Iwasaki Gardens is a time machine. It takes you back over a hundred years to the beginnings of early Tokyo. It gives you a glimpse into how the ultra-rich lived in Meiji Japan. Anyone interested in architectural photography should also love it.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has photographed Tokyo since 2011. He shoots it with his Canon EOS R5 these days. The project will take more than one lifetime to complete.
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External related websites
- Kyu-Iwasaki Gardens (official website)