Former Tama Seiseki Memorial Hall

In short

The Former Tama Seiseki Memorial Hall is a Western-style building constructed in 1930, located inside Tokyo Metropolitan Sakuragaoka Park. It was built to commemorate the visits of Emperor Meiji to Renkoji for rabbit hunting and sweetfish fishing, and today it serves as a place of relaxation for park visitors. A major feature is its elliptical exhibition hall surrounded by colonnades.

• ​Elliptical Exhibition Hall​​: A rare example of modern architecture featuring an elliptical floor plan enclosed by colonnades.
• ​Equestrian Statue of Emperor Meiji​​: An equestrian statue created by Watanabe Osao stands in the central hall of the building.
• ​Collection from the Bakumatsu and Meiji Restoration Periods​​: Hanging scrolls and letters collected by Tanaka Mitsuaki are housed here and displayed in special exhibitions.

History and Highlights

The ​Former Tama Seiseki Memorial Hall​ is a reinforced concrete building located almost in the center of Tokyo Metropolitan Sakuragaoka Park. It is designated as a Tangible Cultural Property by Tama City and has also been selected by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government as a "Historical Building of Particular Importance to the Landscape."

Places visited by the Emperor are called "Seiseki." In the 1880s, Emperor Meiji visited Renkoji about four times for rabbit hunting and sweetfish fishing. Because of this connection, Tanaka Mitsuaki, who served as Minister of the Imperial Household under Emperor Meiji, built the Tama Seiseki Memorial Hall on this site in 1930. Its realization was made possible by the provision of land and donations from the local community.

It was designed by Sekine Yotaro, with Kurata Chikatada, who was active in the Bunriha Kenchikukai (Secessionist Architectural Society), in charge of the work. The project, which began in 1928, was originally an ambitious plan featuring grand staircases and other elements, but it was realized on a reduced scale. This building is the only surviving work involving both architects.

For a long time, it was managed by a foundation, but as the building aged, demolition came under consideration. Due to strong requests for preservation, it became a municipal Tangible Cultural Property in 1986. The city renovated the building and took over its management and operation, transforming it into a place of relaxation for park visitors. The word "Former" (kyu) was added to mean the "original" Tama Seiseki Memorial Hall.

Viewing and Experience Points

• ​Colonnades and Elliptical Exhibition Hall​​: The exterior is designed simply without ornamentation. Visitors climb the stairs to the terrace from the side of the colonnades on the north and enter the central elliptical exhibition hall from the front.
• ​Equestrian Statue of Emperor Meiji​​: The equestrian statue in the central hall was created in 1930 by sculptor Watanabe Osao at the request of Tanaka Mitsuaki. Standing over 3 meters tall, it is said to have been modeled after the Emperor's visit to Renkoji in 1881. Behind it hangs Foundation Work by Hotta Seiji, said to depict the construction site.
• ​Collection and Botanical Exhibits​​: Hanging scrolls and letters from the Bakumatsu and Meiji Restoration periods collected by Tanaka Mitsuaki are displayed during special exhibitions. The botanical exhibition, which mainly features plants found within Tama City, changes every month, allowing visitors to enjoy the transition of the four seasons.

Walking Tips

From Seiseki-Sakuragaoka Station on the Keio Line, take a bus bound for Nagayama Station (via Hijirigaoka Danchi), get off at "Kinenkan-mae," and walk for about 5 minutes. Across from the building is the "Goken-do," which houses the busts of five samurai patriots of the Meiji Restoration. Inside the park, a stone monument marking the "Emperor Meiji Onodachisho" also remains. Visitors can also enjoy the surrounding park scenery, with cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in autumn. For stories about the town that bears the name "Seiseki," please refer to the description of Seiseki-Sakuragaoka, located about 1.9 kilometers to the northwest.