KagoshimaTravel

Touring Famous Gardens Along Streets of Stone Walls and Hedgerows in Satsuma's Little Kyoto

About this spot

The Chiran samurai manor buildings, known as "Satsuma's Little Kyoto," are a townscape that preserves the character of a samurai settlement called Fumoto (麓), one of the external administrative centers established by the Satsuma domain in the Edo period. The streets lined with well-aligned stone walls and beautifully trimmed hedgerows have been designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings of Japan, and the seven publicly accessible gardens are designated as National Scenic Spots. Most feature dry-landscape gardens depicting mountain-and-water scenes using stone and sand, with only one featuring a pond-style garden with water. The gardens expertly incorporate Mount Mogake (母ヶ岳), which towers behind the settlement, as borrowed scenery. Walking through and comparing the individuality of each garden deepens your appreciation of the aesthetic sensibilities embodied in the streets.

Tips

One admission ticket provides access to all seven gardens. Seeing the entire street and gardens requires considerable walking, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Early morning, before tour buses arrive, offers peaceful surroundings and few crowds.