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Lakeside Panorama Hall: Discover the Hakone Imperial Villa’s Timeless Charm
旧御用邸の面影を訪ねて：恩賜箱根公園の湖畔展望館
Completed in 1886, the Hakone Imperial Villa was a grand retreat designed for the imperial family, blending traditional Japanese architectural elegance with European influences popular in the mid-to-late 1800s. Nestled in the serene hills overlooking Lake Ashinoko, it served as both a peaceful escape and an impressive venue for hosting foreign dignitaries.
For decades, the villa symbolized refined hospitality. German, Russian, Austrian, Romanian, and British royalty, alongside ministers from Italy, the UK, and Siam (modern-day Thailand), were received here with grandeur. I can only imagine the lively banquets and quiet diplomatic exchanges that may have taken place, surrounded by the cool mountain air and the villa's carefully cultivated gardens.
Tragically, the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 dealt a devastating blow to this architectural marvel, with further damage following the Kita-Izu Earthquake in 1930. The grandeur of the villa slowly faded as it fell into disrepair during the hardships of World War II. By 1945, what remained of the estate was transformed into Onshi-Hakone Park, an effort to preserve its legacy.
In 1989, restoration efforts began to reimagine the gardens and introduce new structures, including the Lakeside Panorama Hall. Completed in 1992, the hall—crafted from hewn white granite—now houses a cozy café and a museum. Inside, exhibits offer glimpses of the villa's former glory, from intricate architectural details to images of grand receptions held in its halls.
The park was recognized as a National Registered Monument in 2013, a testament to its enduring cultural and historical significance. Its beautifully preserved landscaping, with meandering paths and sweeping views of Lake Ashinoko, hints at the artistry of the original imperial gardens.
As I stood on the grass lawn in front of the hall, I noticed the weathered foundation stones scattered across the ground—silent witnesses to the history that unfolded here. It was surreal to imagine the palace halls that once stood on these very stones, hosting royalty from across the globe in an era when reaching Japan from Europe took weeks, if not months, of arduous travel.
Yet here I was, standing in the same spot, knowing that in today’s world, a middle-class college student on vacation could leave their home and arrive at this park in less than 24 hours. The accessibility of this once-exclusive retreat now feels like a testament to how much the world has changed—and how connected we’ve become.
- Location: Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
- Timestamp: 14:20・2024/10/15
- Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
- 28 mm ISO 200 for 1/200 sec. at ƒ/6.3
References:
- Google Maps: Onshi-Hakone Park Lakeside Panorama Hall・恩賜箱根公園湖畔展望館 (Onshi-Hakone Kohan-tenbokan)
- Kanagawa Prefecture: Onshi-Hakone-Koen Park (English)
- Kanagawa Prefecture: Hakone Palace (English)
- Kanagawa Prefecture: Onshi-Hakone-Koen Park (English)
- Ministry of the Environment: FY 2015 Hakone Area (Japanese)
- Kanagawa Prefecture: Prefectural Parks (Japanese)
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