Tojogaoka Historical Park, Matsudo

Tojogaoka Historical Park in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, preserves the legacy of the Tokugawa shogunate through the residence of Tokugawa Akitake, the younger brother of Japan's last shogun, Yoshinobu Tokugawa. At age 13, Akitake traveled to France in 1867 to represent the shogun at the Paris Exposition, but while he studied abroad, the Edo era ended and the Meiji Restoration transformed Japan's political landscape. Instead of becoming shogun as expected, Akitake served briefly as the last lord of Mito domain before retiring to build this residence.

The centerpiece is Tojo-tei House, a wooden residence completed in 1884 that exemplifies traditional Japanese architecture. The structure consists of nine buildings connected by corridors with twenty-three rooms total, featuring carved wooden transoms with hollyhock leaves representing the Tokugawa family crest. Both the house and garden are designated as National Important Cultural Properties. The surrounding garden represents a unique blend of Japanese and Western influences, with Western-style lawns that are the oldest of their kind remaining in Japan. The park offers views of the Edo River and, on clear days, Mount Fuji to the west.

The park is designated as one of the "100 Best Historical Parks in Japan". Visitors can explore the main residence where Akitake pursued interests in photography, pottery, and hunting during his retirement. The adjacent Tojo Museum of History exhibits artifacts from the Tokugawa families, including photographs taken by both Akitake and his brother Yoshinobu, documents from the Paris Exposition, and personal belongings that illuminate life during Japan's transition from feudal to modern society. The park's seasonal attractions include plum blossoms in late February, cherry blossoms in spring, and autumn foliage.

The park is a 15-minute walk south of Matsudo Station on the JR Joban Line. Admission costs ¥250 for adults to visit Tojo-tei House, ¥150 for the museum alone, or ¥320 for a combination ticket covering both facilities. The park itself is free to enter, though visitors should note it is not open daily. The park includes parking for 46 cars and 6 buses, with advance reservations required for buses.