Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park entertains you with the rich nature of Chuzenji lakeside and the history as an international summer resort. From the mid Meiji period to the early Showa period, Chuzenji lakeside was developed as an international summer resort because the respective embassies and many foreigners built their villas in the area.
Those buildings inside the park were built as villas for Italian Embassy in 1928 and used by the successive ambassadors until 1997. “The main residence” is restored by reusing the floor board, joineries and furniture as much as possible, and the second residency is maintained as “the international summer resort history museum” introducing the history of that time.
From inside the park, the expressive landscape of Lake Chuzenji can be appreciated.
Yacht represents a lake recreation.
Each embassy participated the yacht race which was hosted by the Nantaisan Yacht Club almost every week, and those yachts sailed on the surface of the lake were the charming sight in summer. It was often used for going back and forth to the villa, for shopping, etc.
The scenery of the mountains that has not changed now and then can be seen from the wharf in the park.
The main residence was built with the design by Antonin Raymond who was a famous architect and diplomat, which is said to be used by the ambassador and his/her family.
Located on the 1st floor is a single space where the living room in the center is surrounded by the dining room and the study which both situated with a fireplace, and it leads to the spacious veranda.
Bedrooms on the 2nd floor are arranged to face the lake, which design makes the most of the lake view.
Its major characteristic includes the exterior/interior finished with the cedar-bark by changing its patterns.
It is the symbol of the international summer resort blending in the rich natural environment which reminds us of the summer resort life where the time went by slowly.
1st FloorCafe Como
The cafe which serves coffee, cookies, etc. Souvenirs related to Italian/British Embassy Villa Memorial Parks are also available.
The same as the memorial park
Coffee, cappuccino, juice, etc.
※Buy your tumbler to go is now available
History Museum of International Summer Resort
The History Museum of International Summer Resort (secondary residence) used to comprise a living/dining room with a fireplace, a spacious veranda leading to the room, bedrooms and a kitchen.
In contrast to the main residence, the building exploits the scenery inside the woods which has a splendid view of the change of four seasons from the window.
The summer resort life enjoying yacht and catching trout, rich nature which nurtured it, and the history of Lake Chuzenji which produced an international social club are introduced with photo panels and images.
・ Take limited express Spacia/Liberty from Tobu Railway “Asakusa St.” and get off at “Tobu Nikko St.”
・ Take JR Line/Tobu limited express directly from JR “Shinjuku St.” and get off at “Tobu Nikko St.”
・ Take JR Nikko Line from Tohoku Shinkansen “Utsunomiya St.” and get off at “Nikko Station”
Take Tobu Bus from JR Nikko Station bound for “Chuzenji Onsen/ Yumoto Onsen” via Tobu Nikko Station, get off at “Chuzenji Onsen” followed by 35-min walk
※During the bus operation period for Mt. Hangetsusan (7/16-11/13), get off at “Italian/British Embassy Villa Memorial Parks” and take a 5-min-walk.
Takes approximately 50-min-drive from Tohoku Expressway to Nikko Utsunomiya Road from Utsunomiya IC, then take Irohazaka from Kiyotaki IC,
and 15-min-walk from the prefectural Utagahama parking (free of charge)
※The municipal road on the lakeside is currently under traffic control against general vehicles for the purpose of natural environment conservation.
Please do visit us on foot.
3 minutes walk from "Taishikan Besso Kinen Koen Sanbashi" of Lake Chuzenji Pleasure Boat