KOGA KUBOU PARK    　御所沼コモンズ

5. History of the park and site

 

(1) The ruins of the palace of the chief warlord of Koga and his tomb

　　In 1455, the chief warlord Nariuji Ashikaga constructed his palace on the hill, which was surrounded swamp at

　　　that age and locates in current park site.

　　During 130 years after the period, the warlord Ashikaga family governed the North Kantoh area politically and

　　　militarily.

　　The tomb of Yoshiuji ASHIKAGA and their family locates in the park and they are registered as prefectural

　　　cultural heritage with the ruin in their family temple “Tokugen-in”.

 

(2) “Gosho-Numa”, the Palace Swamp

　　The swamp inherits its name from the former palace (Gosho) of the chief warlord in 15C.

　　Since the end of Ashikaga family in 1626, the area around the swamp was a commons, which was shared,

　　　managed and used by residents of village for the purpose of mowing, fishing and recreational use (boating,

　　　place for festival).

　　Because of these histories, the area and its geographical features are considered as cultural heritage of the

　　　area.

 

(3) Folk dwelling

　　The regional folk dwellings “Tobita-ke” and “Nakayama-ke” is relocated from nearby area of the park and

　　　reconstructed.

　　They are registered as national cultural heritage and prefectural cultural heritage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4) Woods of peach

　　In the park, there are two thousands of peach trees and it becomes one of famous features.

　　In its blooming season, the peach blooming festival is held and citizens and tourists appreciate its flower.

　　The peach trees were planted under the order of Katsutoshi Doi, the lord of a feudal clan of Koga in 1640s, in

　　　order to have fire woods of fast growing tree.

　　These trees became 100ha of peach woods in early 20C.

 

(5) Tea garden

　　Tea is a famous product in the area and its garden is a typical regional landscape in the area. 3,300 square

　　　meters of tea garden was constructed in front of the folk dwellings (see (3)) in the park.

　　And their combination generates typical landscape of the agricultural zone of the area.

　　The tea association of the area holds tea-picking and tea ceremony in the tea festival event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6) Lotus pond

　　The ancient lotus seeds of 2,000 years old were planted in the marshland of the park.

　　Many photographers and painters visit the park in July, the flowering season of the lotus.

 

(7) Pond of the Goddess of Eloquence (Benten)

　　In the pond in the park, there is a tradition that native goddess cures eye disease.

　　The believer releases eels into the pond when their eyes are cured.

　　Many flowers are offered for the stone Budda around the pond.

 

(8) Mound Mount Fuji

　　A mound is piled up, using excavated material of the Palace Swamp (see (2)).

　　It inherits the regional traditional religious belief on Mount Fuji.

 

(9) Gelateria

　　Gelateria is a restaurant, which locates in the center of the park. In the front of the restaurant, the Universal

　　　Garden “Kenkon Hassou garden”is constructed.

　　It was constructed in 1998. Designed by architect Kazuyo Sejima.

 

(10) Management office

　　The office building is Multi-span wooden building in the east entrance of the park.

　　It is designed integrating with landscaping design of the former water stream.

　　It functions not only as management office of the park but as visitor center.

　　Designed by architect Hiroshi NAITO.