T h e 3rd Practi cal T ou ri s m S tu d y T our Rep ort
Vi s i t to O i s oIn conjunction with the “Tourism Strategy Project”, which learns the big view andexpertise in tourism from prominent lecturers, the Tokyo Metropolitan Public
University Corporation occasionally conducts "Practical Tourism Study Tours" aimed atvisiting and touring actual sightseeing spots.
This year, which is the final year of the project, the influence of COVID-19
unprecedentedly blows the tourism industry which has been still in a tough situation.
Under these circumstances, we will conduct three tours to explore the possibility of
micro-tourism and technology, which are attracting attention as a new opportunity in thetourism industry.
Micro-tourism was proposed early by Mr. Yoshiharu Hoshino, CEO of Hoshino
Resorts, who will be invited as a lecturer at the 3rd Tourism Strategy Project and isattracting attention as a way of tourism that strike a balance between the prevention ofinfection and the local economy. The ideal way of tourism in COVID-19 period is that“tourism should not be the cause of pandemic”, and there has been a movement invarious places to make local residents and neighbors enjoy areas where the risk ofinfection is low.
On Thursday, December 10, 2020, we visited Oiso Town in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Oiso Town faces the Pacific Ocean and has a temperate climate. During the Meiji era,
the opening of Oiso Station coincided with the opening of the railroad, many famous
people built villas and residences for the purpose of long-stay recreation and/orrecuperation.
In addition, since eight prime ministers have built villas and residences in this area, it
has been called the "Inner Sanctum of Meiji political arena". In November 2020, theMeiji Memorial Oiso Garden was opened to hand down the achievements of those whocontributed to the establishment of constitutional government during the Meiji period toposterity.
Jifukuji Temple
Jifukuji Temple is the temple where the grave of the literary master Shimazaki Tōsonand his wife is placed.
Every year on August 22, the anniversary of Tōson’s death, the Oiso Town Tourism
Association holds "Shimazaki Tōson Memorial”, and people related to Tōson and manyTōson fans visit the temple to offer flowers.
The grave of Tōson is surrounded by about 20 plum trees that he loved throughout hislife, and around every February, the plum blossoms bloom all over the temple grounds.

Jifukuji Temple Main Hall

Meiji Memorial Oiso Garden (Residences and Gardens)
The garden preserves villas and residences associated with people who played an
important role in the establishment of constitutional government, such as Ito Hirobumi,Okuma Shigenobu, Saionji Kinmochi, and Mutsu Munemitsu.
The garden’s first phase opening was on November 3, 2020, as a place to convey thehistory of the Meiji era and its significance to posterity, as well as to serve as a base forcultural dissemination, interaction and exchange.
The name "Garden (Teien)" comes from the "Teien Cultural Area Revitalization Plan"promoted by Kanagawa Prefecture, and the residences and gardens are called "Teien"
together.
In the first phase, the Shigenobu Okuma Old Villa, the Furukawa Old Villa, the Ruinsof the Mutsu Munemitsu Old Villa, and the Garden of Furukawa Old Villa have been
opened to the public.
In the future, the Old Souroukaku (the Old Residence of Ito Hirobumi and the Old
Villa of the Lee Ou family), the Ruins of Saionji Kinmochi Old Villa, and the Ikeda
Shigeaki Old Residence will also be developed and opened to the public.
Mutsu Munemitsu Old VillaFormer Residence of YOSHIDA Shigeru
The Former Residence of YOSHIDA Shigeru was a private residence of Yoshida
Shigeru, who served as the Prime Minister after the second world war.
Yoshida's foster father, Kenzo, bought the land in Oiso in 1884, and built a villa.
Yoshida inherited the villa from his father. After serving as a diplomat, he made hisvilla within his main residence in Oiso in 1945 when he became Minister of Foreign
Affairs and lived there until his death in 1967.
Unfortunately, the residence was burned down after Yoshida's death and the current
building, which was built in 2017, is the restoration.
The dining room and the reception room for distinguished guests, characterized by theArt Deco style represented by geometric patterns, have been reconstructed and are open
to the public.
Former Residence of YOSHIDA Shigeru

Dining Room “Rose Room”

Reception Room “Golden Room”

It was a half-day tour and short time, but we were able to rediscover the charm of Oiso
with a local guide. We explored the possibilities of micro-tourism in Oiso where we canlearn the spirit of the Meiji era and rediscover the strengths of Japan.