After fully satisfied with Numazu Port, I visited “Numazu Goyotei Memorial Park” which was established in 1893 and was used by successive emperors and imperial families of Meiji, Taisho, and Showa Era for 77 years until it was abandoned in 1969. Considering the moderate climate of Shizuoka, spectacular Suruga Bay right in front, and splendid seafood landed in Numazu Port, maybe I can tell why they chose this place for the resort villa.＾＾

They say that Goyotei villa had 3 mojor mansion houses. That is, Main house, West annex and East Annex. Sorry for the Main villa burnt down during the war. Currently, a History Museum is instead open on the site.
Now, the West House has become its main attraction. It used to be used as a villa for the Meiji Emperor’s grandchild ( that is, Showa Emperor ) and is now renovated, keeping the original palace architecture to the utmost extent. Of course, you can walk through the house ! I did, surprisingly commodious, almost got lost. I wonder how many servants were there. Historically, in Japan or China, we used to use the word “Nanmen ― Facing to the south” for the emperors. I was not sure then if his room was facing to the south but I found one outstanding point that indicated his room. Can you guess what it was ? The height. They stayed in one-step higher room than other servants. It also tells our culture.＾＾
Furniture and household goods are left almost as they were. Breathtakingly gorgeous. Especially, emperor’s throne ! Real one. The Imperial crest of the chrysanthemum can be found everywhere ! What did he think of sitting on the throne ?

In about 5 minutes after leaving the West house, I found a café named “Shume”. Shume is an old Japanese job title that is said to handle ruler’s horse. The stable beside it tells that. I stepped into Shume to have a coffee and Heda salt gelato. Believe it or not, the gelato was fantastic. The sweetness of salt, you know ?＾＾

I walked for a while again and found History and Folklore Museum on the original site of Main villa. There, you can learn the history of fishery industry and fishing equipment of Numazu Port. By the way, I’ve heard that the Main villa was 10 times as large as the museum. Can you imagine ?＾＾；

Further 10 minute walk finally took me to the East house. It was used as a study room for the Emperor’s grandchild. Stepping into it, I saw many large Japanese rooms which are currently used for public communications. In the back garden is a house for tea ceremony. This has indeed a very historical atmosphere for the reproduction of “Taian” in Kyoto designed by Sen-no Rikyu.

There are lots more in Imperial Villa Park. It took me more than 2 hours to walk around taking pictures. Please be sure to have a leaflet of foreign languages such as English and Chinese at the reception desk.＾＾

Have a good day !

doc in Japanese (1218KB)

Numazu Goyotei Memorial Park
Access from Numazu Sta. ： 15 minutes by bus to “Goyotei-mae”
Open Hours　：　9:00 – 16:30（ Open 7 days a week except the year-end and new-year days ）
Admission　：　￥400 for adults　／￥200 for children

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“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾

Today, I introduce lilies, fully blooming this season, and you know what ? In 10 minutes by bus From JR Fukuroi Station, you find “Kasui Yurino-sono” the lily garden and there, you can see 2 million of lilies, of 150 varieties, that are having their best season now.
Kasui Yurino-sono has about 10ha site area and, believe it or not, they plant only lilies owing to the owner’s longstanding insistence. That is, the open season is accordingly limited to about a month a year. So intriguing, isn’t it ?
Basically, lilies fall into 2 major groups. The “Asiatic”, in full bloom now, looks deep and strong in color and has a faint scent. On the other hand, “Oriental”, turning its best before long, has tint colors and strong scents as Casa Blanca lilies.

Lilies in the garden are classified into some groups by colors, surrounding a large pond in the middle of it. First, you will get into the Red area. Not a single species. Varieties of red lilies. Can you recognize them ?＾＾ Next comes Yellow. Actually, I was honestly astonished by the sight of the yellow field ! The deep “yellow” is going to be replaced by the bright “Oriental” one that makes the air around it full of vigorous scent of lilies.
Colorful lilies on the hillside follow after it. They have distinctive tastes by the combination of colors, aren’t they ? I personally like Yellow ( Orange ) and White.＾＾

By the time I reached the last area, I felt as if I had got lost in a vivid painting on a green canvas. The field was striped with five colored lilies that made me imagine a national flag of somewhere. It took me only about 30 minutes to stroll around the garden, anyway. Good walking !＾＾
After you enjoyed lilies enough, please take a break at “Kanmidokoro” café.

This café has Japanese-style private sitting rooms by the pond. The view from there is splendid ! I’ll bet you will have a most fabulous time with your friend or lover.

So, I also had a rest in the private space. Coffee & cake, Matcha and sweet, and Anmitsu the fruits and sweet bean paste on agar jelly were what I then thrust in my stomach. Surely I won’t gain weight because I walked enough, right ?＾＾； Yeah, calorie was definitely burnt out of my body !
Of course, you can find restaurants and souvenir shops in the garden. Tempura using lilies is one of their specialties. I actually tried it for the first time in my life and found out that it tasted like a sweet potato. You’ll like it !＾＾

Other than things above, you can enjoy listening to live synthesizer music by IZANAGI ( until Jun 16 ) or skin-care fish ( fish therapy ) for your beauty. I tried it in the water. Small fish gathered around to nibble my hand. It tickled me much.＾＾

Kasui Yuri-no Sono is supposed to be open until July 3rd. Why don’t you have a refreshing time with your family on the weekend ?


Kasui Yuri no Sono
Access from JR Fukuroi Station ： 10 minutes by bus from #1 to the bus stop "Kasui" and 5 minute walk
Admission ： ￥1000 for adults／￥300 for children
Open Season：May 28 – July 3, 2011
Open Hours：9:00-17:00 ( open 7 days a week during the season )

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾