Nishiyama-Goten Heritage

Nishiyama Goten was the retirement residence of Tokugawa Mitsukuni (1628–1700), the second lord of the Mito domain and initiator of the massive historical project, the Dai Nihonshi. After passing leadership of the domain to his heir in 1690, Mitsukuni withdrew from Edo to this quiet hillside villa in 1691, devoting his final decade to scholarship. It was here, in what he described as a “separate world” apart from worldly concerns, that he lived until his death, earning the enduring affection of the people of the domain.
Although the original structure was lost to fire in 1817, it was rebuilt two years later and still conveys the restrained elegance Mitsukuni valued: dignified, as expected of a samurai, but without ostentation. Today, the site is designated a National Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty, and includes a garden that visitors can walk. Nearby facilities also offer tea ceremony experiences, so guests can connect more tangibly with the culture of the era in which Mitsukuni lived.