[About the Book]

– Discover the Hidden Beauty of Japan, Even Most Japanese Don’t Know –

This book is both a travelogue and a guidebook, featuring historical gardens located in Japan’s Chūbu region (Aichi, Gifu, and Mie prefectures). The author, traveling mainly by public transportation, explores these gardens and shares their highlights, historical background, and unique features-accompanied by detailed explanations and photographs.

Unlike the more famous gardens of Tokyo or Kyoto, many gardens in the Chūbu region have remained relatively unknown, even to Japanese people. Some have even been neglected or lost over time. This book aims to rediscover and showcase the charm of these overlooked gardens, inviting readers into a world of quiet beauty and cultural depth.



[Table Of Contents]

Introduction

Garden and Roji Locations

1 Jo-an, a National Treasure Tearoom

2 In the Precincts of Nagoya Castle

3 Higashiyama-so Roji

4 Boukou Lane

5 Tokugawaen The Tokugawaen Garden Teahouse

6 Shirotori Garden Seiu-tei

7 Roji Garden

8 Nittaiji Hassho-en

9 Yokiso Garden

10 Shiroyama Hachimangu

11 Showa Museum of Art Tea room

12 Kōshōーji

13 Okazaki Park Tearoom

14 Hana Festa Memorial Park Tearoom

15-1 The Takeda Residence

15-2 Arimatsu Townscape

16 Former Hayashi Family Garden

17 Former Kasuya Residence Garden

18 Kezo-ji Garden

19 Horibe Residence

20 Inuyama Castle Town

21 Okumura Residence

22 Shōkosō Tearoom “Fugenan” and Roji I

23 Shōkosō Front Garden and Shoin Garden II

24 Former Konoe Residence

25 Horita Residence Garden

26 Mugakuen Tearoom

27 A Long-Established Ryōtei’s Moss Garden

28 Uchida Sasuke Residence

29 Moroto Family Garden Fuji Chaya

30 Rokkaen / Garden

Main Teahouses and Roji in the Three Prefectures of Chūbu (Aichi, Gifu, Mie)

Afterword

Biography



[Editor’s Note]

The author is a professional in landscape design, even teaching at a specialized horticultural school. While visiting Japan’s most popular destinations like Tokyo or Kyoto is certainly worthwhile, we recommend this book as a guide to a more hidden side of Japan. It’s a perfect companion for those who wish to uncover the quiet elegance and lesser-known treasures of the Chūbu region's traditional gardens.



[Biography]

Yoshio Yamataka

Born in 1937, from Inazawa City (born in Nagoya)

1960 Graduated from the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Gifu University. After graduation, spent three years engaged in restoration work following the Ise Bay Typhoon disaster.

1963 Became a teacher in the newly established Landscape and Civil Engineering Department at Aichi Prefectural Inazawa High School.

Worked as an instructor there for 30 years, until 1993, teaching in the Landscape and Civil Engineering Department at Inazawa High School.

During that time, also served concurrently as a “Landscape Department Vocational Training Instructor.”

Commissioned by the Aichi Prefectural Board of Education for “school greening tasks.”

From 1993 for three years, taught in the “Comprehensive Landscaping Course” at the Ichinomiya High School Technical Training School Inazawa Campus, guiding younger generations.

In 1998, retired after finishing as Vice Principal of Aichi Prefectural Nishio Jitsugyō High School.

After retirement, continued to guide younger generations as a lecturer at vocational schools related to “landscape.”

Lecturer at the Aichi Prefectural Agriculture and Forestry Corporation’s Plant Center

Lecturer at the Aichi Prefecture Landscape Construction Association

Also served on the Aichi Prefecture Vocational Ability Development Association

As a committee member for the “Landscape Department” skills examinations, among other roles.