Located in Morioka city, Iwate, “Nanshoso” is such a beautiful place where you can feel the old days of Japan. It was built by a local businessman, Yasugoro Segawa, as his residence around 1885 (Meiji Period). The traditional Japanese-style architecture has been designated as the Protected Garden and Structures of Landscape Importance of Morioka city. Also, its beautiful garden has been appointed as the Registered Monuments of Japan.
It has been more than 100 years since Nanshoso was built. Although its owner has changed time to time, the architecture and garden still remain as historic houses to show the Meiji Period of Japan.
I didn’t know that there was such an attractive place near my hometown! As soon as I found Nanshoso on the Internet, I decided to go on a quick trip! It took about 2 hours and 30 minutes by car from my house in Akita city, Akita, to Nanshoso in Morioka city, Iwate. There are mountains and mountain streams on the way to Iwate. I felt so good when I was driving in nature!
When I got there, I could feel a nostalgic atmosphere already. That was so exciting! From the gate to the entrance, there looked like a small Japanese garden. The greens decorated the area, too. So beautiful!
Inside the house remained the old days of Japan. I had seen such locations in books or movies before, but I could really feel them in Nanshoso. I was happy to have such a precious experience. Maybe, you will also feel as if you were a time traveler!
The door, wall, floor, room, furniture… Everything in the house made me go back to that era. The place was too far from the reality!
There was a beautiful garden, too. As already mentioned, it has been appointed as the Registered Monuments of Japan. You can’t miss it! When I see the garden, it was more like an art than just a garden! Walking around there, I was really refreshed. It was so relaxing that I could forget the reality. haha!
A saxophone live was held on that day so some visitors enjoyed it. Not only the live music, there seem to have various events like a tea ceremony party, exhibitions, etc. Nanshoso is not only a historic house but a communication space for local people. Great!
After strolling around the garden, I went back to the building and enjoyed Matcha green tea with wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets). Yummy!
This bitter green tea matched with the sweets very much. The Japanese sweets were made from red beans and sweet. Also, a sweet-boiled chestnut was in it! This is the Japanese tea time I love!
Nanshoso has several rooms and a big wooden-floor hall of about 50 square meters. The live music was held there on that day. Each room has names and used as guest rooms and so on.
And!! This was the shooting location of a popular Japanese movie, “March Comes in Like a Lion” (2017)!! It is based on a comic book which is a story of a boy who became a professional shogi player at high school age. After watching the movie, I thought it was a drama of the boy to struggle and success in his life. In this movie, Japanese popular actors as well as my favorites, Ryunosuke Kamiki and Ryo Kase, had a shogi game in this wooden-floor hall of Nanshoso. It was a quiet but passionate scene! Hope you’ll check the movie!
＊Official website of the movie “March Comes in Like a Lion” (2017): https://www.asmik-ace.co.jp/lineup/951
Because it’s such a great place, the garden is also used as the location for a wedding photo. On that day, I found a couple and a photographer taking some wedding photos. The couple were wearing Japanese wedding kimono (traditional clothes) and looked so happy! I think that’s memorable!
There are more attractive historical spots in Morioka city. After visiting Nanshoso, I went to Morioka Castle Ruins Park (Iwate Park) near there. Both of them are surrounded by nature. You can enjoy and relax while visiting these historical places. I strongly recommend day trips to these two attractions! Let’s explore Tohoku!
＊＊Check them out! by KUMANEKO TRIP＊＊
Morioka Castle Ruins Park (Iwate Park)【Morioka city, Iwate】→ Read blog♪
~~~ Facility Info ~~~
Nanshoso
13-46 Shimizu-cho, Morioka City, Iwate, Japan
https://www.iwate.coop/kankyou/nanshousou/
Open 10:00～17:00 (April to November) / 10:00～16:00 (December to March)
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (*Closed from December 26th to January 10th)
【Price】Adult: 300 yen (*Group of more than 10 people: 270 yen), Children under elementary and junior high school students: 150 yen (*Group of more than 10 people: 135 yen)
【Parking】Available
【Access】
＊By bus: From the bus stop No. 12 at Morioka station, take a bus “To Suidobashi” and get off at the bus stop “Shimonohashi-cho”. (About 15 minutes) ～ On foot (About 5 minutes)
＊On foot: From Kawatoku, Saien・Plaza Odette, Nakanohashi (About 10 minuites)
＊By car: From Morioka IC (About 25 minutes)
Written by Naomi in Ugo
*As of October, 2019.
