Keyaki Palace

Keyaki-goten (Zelkova Palace), also called Hikonejō-shimoyashiki, is a daimyō residence - the remnants of a palatial complex, in fact - at Hikone Castle. Rakurakuen is the name of the garden surrounding the shoin (drawing room) and adjoining buildings, including the Rakuraku-no-ma. The neighbouring

Background

Keyaki-goten (Zelkova Palace), also called Hikonejō-shimoyashiki, is a daimyō residence - the remnants of a palatial complex, in fact - at Hikone Castle. Rakurakuen is the name of the garden surrounding the shoin (drawing room) and adjoining buildings, including the Rakuraku-no-ma. The neighbouring garden (there's not much to separate them) is Genkyūen, but the gardens are often paired together, and are listed a special scenic area under the name Genkyūrakurakuen.

Keyaki-goten was first built in 1671 by Ii Naôki, and the complex reached its greatest extent under Ii Naonaka in 1813. The beautiful goshoin (palatial drawing room) dates to this time. Remaining structures represent about a tenth of this zenith. The surrounding gardens, the Genkyū(rakuraku)en, are a valuable example of a daimyō garden.

Keyaki-goten complex contains the genkan (entrance parlour) hall, connected to the goshoin by the suzu-no-ma ('bell room'). In turn, the goshoin is connected directly to the yakusho-no-ma and the kyoma (living room). And then, via a 'T'-shaped corridor, these are connected to the shinzashiki (another living room) and the suzume-no-ma ('sparrow room'). In turn, the suzume-no-ma is contiguous with the jishin-no-ma ('earthquake room'), which in turn is directly connected to the okaru-no-ma and the kōcha-no-ma ('black tea room'). The latter is adjoined to the rai-no-ma ('lightning room').

From there, our dreamy little archipelago of buildings becomes more spread out, and a series of covered walkways connects us to, in turn, the rakuraku-no-ma ('relaxation room'), shin-higashi-no-ma ('new east room'), shin-nishi-no-ma ('new west room') (those two conjoined), nio-no-ma ('little grebe room'), and finally the matsu-no-ma ('pine room'). The surrounding garden is the rakurakuen, and the idyllic little buildings appear to float above it on small hills, rocky outcroppings, and even a latticework of hanging beams.

The goshoin has recently seen lots of work done on it, and I hear it will be open to the public in 2025. There is another complex of buildings in the Genkyūen, also originally part of the Keyaki-goten, I believe. Some of these are currently open to the public as teahouses. The view of these thatched-roof buildings with the ramparts and donjon of the castle rising above is stunning.

Gallery

Keyaki Palace Profile
English Name	Keyaki Palace
Japanese Name	槻御殿・黒門外御屋敷・彦根城下屋敷
Year	1813
Residence Type	Daimyo
Features	Garden, House
Visitor Information	8:30-17:00; ¥800 with castle ticket
Website	http://hikone-410th.com/castle/rakurakuen
Location	Hikone, Shiga Prefecture
Castle	Hikone Castle
Coordinates	35.27881, 136.25282
Hikone Castle and nearby Samurai Homes
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Visits	July 7, 2024
Added Jcastle	2024
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