This town is home to one of Japan’s three great iris gardens and features castle ruins at its center, with the town itself laid out in concentric circles around them; as for the feudal lord’s garden—Shimizu-en—it struck me as familiar, and indeed, it bears a striking resemblance to Kyoto’s Koke-dera (Saiho-ji). Whether the town’s promotional efforts were lacking or I simply failed to spot them myself, a little research revealed that there were plenty of other highlights to see.
Zoshunkaku, a building originally constructed in Tokyo’s Shitamachi (i.e.downtown) district by the prominent industrialist Kihachiro Okura—a native of this town—has been relocated here. Mr. Okura was the founder of numerous major corporations that endure to this day, including what is now known as Taisei Construction Corporation. This construction company was responsible for building a palace for Emperor Meiji; Zoshunkaku was constructed using the same techniques to serve as a state guest house for entertaining figures from the political and business worlds. It features a blend of Japanese and Western styles, yet the design of the second-story roof—reminiscent of a festival float—exudes a sense of grandeur. The interior is also exquisitely crafted, so captivating that one loses all track of time. Cakes and drinks are served inside. I made a special stop at the shop providing the same cakes—a long-established store near the castle called Yamanobe Confectionery—and found a wide array of options, particularly rolled cakes, which made choosing quite a dilemma.
Returning to the town, one finds an area where temples are clustered together—likely for defensive purposes—and a walking path has been laid out along the waterways that run through this section of town. Hokoji is a temple of historical significance housing the graves of the lords of the Shibata Domain; its main gate is remarkably imposing. The temple grounds feature a cloister-style layout typical of the Soto sect, allowing visitors to stroll freely.
Returning to the town, one finds an area where temples are clustered together—likely for defensive purposes—and a walking path has been laid out along the waterways that run through this section of town. Hokoji is a temple of historical significance housing the graves of the lords of the Shibata Domain; its main gate is remarkably imposing. The temple grounds feature a cloister-style layout typical of the Soto sect, allowing visitors to stroll freely.
My expectations for the town of Shibata were completely—and pleasantly—surpassed.
