The Hori Family and the Copper-Mining Industry
The Hori family established themselves in this area during the Kamakura period and later became involved in mining within the Iwami Ginzan domain, which was under the direct control of the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period.
The family developed its wealth through the Sasagaya Copper Mine. During the Meiji period, the 15th head of the family, Hori Tojuro, also known as Reizo, became a prominent businessman and acquired numerous mines in Shimane and other parts of Japan. He became so influential in the mining industry that he was known as the “Copper King of Chugoku”.
The family’s considerable wealth and appreciation for traditional Japanese aesthetics were reflected in the creation and development of Hori Garden. Together with the main residence, guest buildings, storehouses, and other structures, the garden preserves a glimpse of the family’s former prosperity.
A Strolling Pond Garden Blending Nature and Design
Hori Garden is a strolling pond garden, a traditional Japanese garden style designed to be enjoyed while walking along paths around a central pond. The garden incorporates the wooded slopes of Mount Midoriyama behind it as a borrowed landscape, making the surrounding mountains an integral part of the garden’s composition.
The main garden was created in 1897 by a gardener invited from Osaka. A large pond forms the heart of the garden, while stone lanterns, garden rocks, waterfalls, and carefully arranged plantings create a harmonious relationship between natural scenery and human craftsmanship.
The stonework around the pond and the rock islands is particularly impressive. Sophisticated stone-arranging techniques were employed, and the garden’s overall naturalistic design gives it the atmosphere of a secluded mountain retreat.
The Spectacular “Three-Stage Autumn Colors”
One of Hori Garden’s greatest attractions is its autumn foliage. The garden and surrounding slopes are planted mainly with Japanese maple trees, whose colors gradually change from the foot of the mountain toward the summit.
This phenomenon is known as “three-stage autumn coloring”, or sandanzome, because different parts of the mountain turn red and gold at different times. The gradual progression of colors creates a distinctive landscape that attracts photographers and visitors from across the region.
Autumn Foliage and Evening Illumination
The foliage is generally at its best from late October through mid-November. During this period, the mountains surrounding the garden become filled with vivid red, orange, and golden hues.
Evening illuminations may also be held during the autumn season, allowing visitors to experience a more atmospheric side of the garden after sunset. The illuminated trees and traditional buildings create a completely different impression from the daytime landscape.
Four Garden Areas Created in Different Eras
Another distinctive feature of Hori Garden is that it is not simply a single garden. The designated National Place of Scenic Beauty covers approximately 6.5 hectares and consists mainly of four garden areas created during different periods of Japanese history.
Main Residence and Main Garden — Edo Period
The main garden lies in front of the main residence, which was built during the Tenmei era. Its relatively simple yet dignified design features stone arrangements and hedges that create a calm and formal atmosphere.
The restrained landscape evokes the atmosphere of a traditional samurai-era residence and provides a quiet contrast to the more elaborate gardens found elsewhere on the property.
Rakuzanso Garden — Meiji Period
The garden surrounding the guest house Rakuzanso was created during the Meiji period. Its distinctive feature is the way the rocky mountain behind the garden is incorporated into the composition, producing a dramatic three-dimensional landscape.
A yukimi-doro snow-viewing lantern standing in the pond and a thirteen-story stone pagoda are among the notable features. Visitors can follow the garden paths and enjoy changing views from different positions.
Warakuen — Taisho Period
Warakuen was developed during the Taisho period and contains four ponds of different sizes. Waterfalls formed around natural bedrock and winding garden paths create a landscape designed to be explored on foot.
The view from the hexagonal pavilion is particularly beautiful. The garden was also carefully designed so that the surrounding mountains could serve as a borrowed landscape when viewed from the guest house.
Former Hatagasako Hospital Grounds — Modern Period
The fourth garden area is associated with the grounds of the former Hatagasako Hospital, established by the Hori family. It is a rare example of a landscape in which a modern medical facility was integrated with a carefully designed garden environment.
One interesting feature is the use of bricks and flower beds made with by-products from copper refining. These elements provide a fascinating glimpse into the relationship between the region’s mining industry, everyday life, and modern development.
Traditional Architecture Reflecting the Hori Family’s Status
The buildings surrounding the garden are just as important as the landscape itself. The main residence, built in 1785, has an impressive irimoya-zukuri roof, a traditional Japanese architectural style combining a gabled and hipped roof.
Inside, visitors can see features that reveal how people lived during the period, including a substantial safe and a traditional hakokaidan, or box staircase designed to provide storage space beneath the stairs.
The guest house Rakuzanso is a refined example of Meiji-period sukiya-style architecture, a style closely associated with tea culture and understated elegance. Its long single-plank veranda and delicate transom decorations demonstrate the craftsmanship and attention to detail invested in the building.
The stone walls are constructed using locally sourced greenstone. Their exceptionally precise construction was traditionally praised as being so tightly fitted that it would not allow even an ant to pass through.
Seasonal Beauty Throughout the Year
Although autumn is the season for which Hori Garden is particularly famous, the landscape offers something different throughout the year.
In spring, fresh green foliage creates a soft and peaceful atmosphere. Summer brings lush vegetation and the possibility of seeing fireflies in the surrounding natural environment. In winter, snow can transform the garden and traditional buildings into a quiet monochrome landscape.
The changing scenery makes Hori Garden a destination worth visiting in different seasons. Its secluded mountain setting also provides a peaceful escape from the bustle of everyday life.
A Cultural Heritage Site Where History and Nature Meet
Hori Garden offers much more than beautiful scenery. The garden, traditional buildings, mining heritage, and surrounding natural landscape together tell the story of the Hori family and the development of the Tsuwano region.
The four garden areas reflect different periods from the Edo, Meiji, and Taisho eras through to the modern period, allowing visitors to observe how Japanese garden design and architecture changed over time.
For travelers exploring Tsuwano, a visit to Hori Garden is an opportunity to step beyond the historic streets of the town center and discover a quieter side of the region. Here, the legacy of a prosperous copper-mining family lives alongside the timeless beauty of Japanese garden design.