Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property: Tenkyokaku

【Renaissance by the Lakeside】 A crystallization of aesthetic sensibility loved by the royal family. Nationally designated Important Cultural Property 'Tenkyo-kaku'

By the beautiful lakeside of Lake Inawashiro, an elegant Western-style mansion quietly stands in perfect harmony with the surrounding nature. This is 'Tenkyo-kaku', built in 1907 by Prince Takehito of Arisugawa, who was moved by the beauty of the Lake Inawashiro scenery and constructed it as a detached villa. Later designated as an Important Cultural Property, it is a historical building representing the Inawashiro area.

■ Breathtaking Renaissance-style design 
The unique highlight is the meticulous beauty of Western architecture, thoroughly crafted down to the smallest details. Inside the mansion, there are 26 heavy marble mantels (decorative frames for the fireplace) that convey the luxurious lifestyle of the royal family at that time. The luxurious chandeliers gently illuminate each room, and the circular decorative paintings on the ceilings are so breathtaking that they evoke a sigh, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship of the artisans.

■ A 'maze of beauty' that changes expression in each room 
Even more wonderful is the fact that the interior design changes as you move from room to room. The guest rooms, dining rooms, and billiard rooms are meticulously designed with lighting, wallpaper, and decorations tailored to their respective purposes, making you feel as if you are walking through a top-notch art museum just by wandering around the mansion.

Transitioning from the heavy 'Japanese' history experienced in the storehouses of Kitakata and the samurai residences of Yonezawa, one immerses in the elegant 'Western' romance by the shores of Lake Inawashiro. It highlights the contrast of the journey, providing an exquisite space that satisfies adult intellectual curiosity and aesthetic sensibility.