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British Embassy Villa Memorial Park

British Embassy Villa Memorial Park

 

 the picturesque landscape of Chuzenji lakeside Satow loved」

The British Embassy Villa Memorial Park is where you can enjoy the rich nature of Lake Chuzenji and the history of an international summer resort.

From the mid Meiji period to the early Showa period, Chuzenji lakeside was invigorated as an international summer resort because the respective embassies and many foreigners built their villas in the area.

The building inside the premise was built in 1896 as the private villa of Ernest Satow who was a British diplomat and gave a major impact to the Meiji restoration, and it was restored to the image of the British Embassy villa which was used for many years.

The history as an international summer resort and the British culture at that time are introduced inside.

Also, from the spacious veranda on the second floor, you can enjoy the most of “the picturesque landscape” of Chuzenji lakeside Satow loved.

Former British Embassy Villa and Ernest Satow

Ernest Satow who loved Okunikko deeply. It was 1872 when he first visited the land, and three years later he issued the English guidebook called “Nikko Guide” to introduce Nikko to the world.

In 1896, he built his own mountain villa on the south bank of Chuzenji lakeside and enjoyed his favorite mountain climing and botanization. Isabella Bird once stayed at this mountain villa and described “the marvelous view of the landscape from the mountain villa” in the letter to her friend. Eventually, the mountain villa was turned into the British Embassy Villa and used until 2008.

Enjoy Chuzenji lakeside Satow loved and the British culture to your heart’s content.

Ernest Satow
Ernest Satow

Facility Introduction

1st Floor

Place of Interest
Introduction of Ernest Satow the British diplomat and Okunikko he loved

Exhibition Theme
Ernest Satow, the British diplomat at the end of Edo period and the Meiji Restoration

Here is an introduction of his life who has given a major influence on the Meiji restoration and built this villa in 1896.

Okunikko loved by Satow

Introduced are the history of the international summer resort, rich nature of Okunikko, Dr. Hisayoshi Takeda who is the second son of Satow, and the reason why Satow chose this place for his villa, feature of the building, etc.

Introduction to Satow’s Life
Introduction to Satow’s Life
Introduction to Okunikko loved by Satow
Introduction to Okunikko loved by Satow

2nd Floor

Place of Interest
View from Spacious Veranda
Introduction and Experience of the British Culture of Satow’s Time

Exhibition Theme
The time Satow became successful was the golden age of the British culture

The successful time of Satow in England back then was the Victorian Period, the golden age of its culture and art.
Introduces “Arts and Crafts Movement” which aims to restore the manual work and improvement of industrial design.

Introduction of the British culture during the period Satow’s success
Introduction of the British culture during the period Satow’s success
Relaxing sofa of the public relations
Relaxing sofa of the public relations

2nd Floor
British Cultural Communication Room

“Tea Room Minami Yonban Classic”

This is a space where you can experience the culture of international summer resort which once became prevalent at Chuzenji lakeside.
Served at “Tea Room Minami Yonban Classic” are a set of scones and tea and so one which are supervised by the chef at the British Embassy.
Enjoy along with the view from the 2nd floor of the villa.

Days of Operation

The same as the memorial park

Hours of Operation
4/1-4/30
10:00-15:30
(L.O. 14:30)
5/1-11/10
10:00-16:30
(L.O. 15:30)
11/11-11/30
10:00-15:30
(L.O. 14:30)
Menu

Set of scone and tea supervised by the British Embassy chef, etc.

  • Tea Room Minami Yonban Classic
  • Tea Room Minami Yonban Classic

User’s Guide

Admission Fee
Adult (age 16 and above)
Standard Fare / 300yen
Common admission ticket for Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park / 450yen
Child (age 4-15)
Standard Fare / 150yen
Common admission ticket for Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park / 200yen
Hours of Operation
4/1-4/30
9:00-16:00
5/1-11/10
9:00-17:00
11/11-11/30
9:00-16:00
Closed Days
5/1-11/30
Open throughout the period
Apr
Mondays
(if it is a public holiday, it will be switched over as a latter event)

Access

By Train

・Take limited express Spacia/Liberty from Tobu Railway “Asakusa St.” and get off at “Tobu Nikko St.”

・Take JR Line/Tobu limited express directly from JR “Shinjuku St.” and get off at “Tobu Nikko St.”

・Take JR Nikko Line from Tohoku Shinkansen “Utsunomiya St.” and get off at “Nikko Station”

By Bus

Take Tobu Bus from JR Nikko Station bound for “Chuzenji Onsen/ Yumoto Onsen” via Tobu Nikko Station, get off at “Chuzenji Onsen” followed by 35-min walk

※During the bus operation period for Mt. Hangetsusan (7/16-11/13), get off at “Italian/British Embassy Villa Memorial Parks” and take a 5-min-walk

By Car

About 50 minutes drive from Utsunomiya IC on Tohoku Expressway via Utsunomiya IC, Kiyotaki IC and Irohazaka
and 10-min-walk from the prefectural Utagahama parking (free of charge)

※The municipal road on the lakeside is currently under traffic control against general vehicles for the purpose of natural environment conservation.
Please do visit us on foot.

By pleasure boat

5 minutes walk from "Taishikan Besso Kinen Koen Sanbashi" of Lake Chuzenji Pleasure Boat