| Across from the intersection of Shiryokan-dori
and Kiyosumi-dori lies Kiyosumi Garden, which is said to have belonged to the
wealthy Edo-period merchant Kinokuniya Bunzaemon and then later to Iwasaki Yataro,
the founder of the Mitsubishi zaibatsu (industrial
and financial combine) in the Meiji era. It was used for holding receptions and
as a getaway for Mitsubishi employees. In 1924 it was given over to the Tokyo
government and opened to the public in 1932.
The garden draws water from the Sumida River and is cleverly designed so that
the scenery changes with the ebb and flow of the tides. Being seen as a garden
that represents the Meiji era, it was the first spot to be designated as a place
of scenic beauty by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in 1979. The garden is famous
for its collection of unusual and rare stones that have been gathered from around
Japan. Visitors can marvel at the stones as they enjoy walking around the pond
and taking in natural beauty and stillness that would not have seemed possible
in the middle of Tokyo.
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