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Japanese garden

Stepping stones, stone bridges, streams, and a waterfall surround a central pond in the sprawling, 19,566 square-meter garden. The grounds are full of nature, with a cycad wood, large camphor trees said to be some 500 years old, azaleas, and maple trees in their beautiful autumn colors. A stately front gate, European-style stable, traditional pleasure barge, the Former Hassam House, and the Kanshintei tea house beautifully complement the garden.

Houseboat (Important Cultural Property)

This houseboat (Kawagozabune) was originally used for pleasure cruises by the feudal lord of Himeji, and is thought to have been constructed between 1682 and 1704. The boat was reconstructed at its present site in 1980. The structure consists of a two-story wooden building with a gabled roof thatched with layers of Japanese cypress bark. All of the wooden sections of the building have been treated with lacquer and the ends of the horizontal beams and rafters decorated with gold leaf. The building is highly regarded for its delicat decorative styling. This is the last “Kawagozabune”in exsistence.

The Kodera Stable (Important Cultural Property)

Kenkichi Kodera, the former mayor of Kobe and former owner of Sorakuen, had this stable constructed around 1910. The building has many interesting features, including a circular cupola, a steep roof, dormer windows, and rich gable ornaments. The building, which was constructed in the shape of an L, includes a garage for carriages in the northern part of the first floor and housing for stable hands on the second floor. A high-ceiling stairwell and the stables proper occupy the eastern side of the building.

The Hassam House (Important Cultural Property)

Built around 1902, this house served as the residence of Mr. K. Hassam, an Anglo-Indian trader. Its architecture an example of East-West fusion. The house originally stood in the Kitano-cho area of Kobe, but was moved to its present location in 1963 after being donated to the city government. Its two gas lamps were some of the earliest seen in Japan, orginally serving as street lamps in the Old Foreign Settlement district. A chimney that fell from the roof during the Great Hanshin Earthquake is displayed in the front yard