Maiko Park

Enjoy the great view of the bridge from a relaxing park

Takako Sakamoto May 07, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Great Akashi Strait Bridge (Pearl Bridge) seen from the seaside walkaway in Maiko Park</p>

<p>Former Muto Sanji residence viewed from the Seaside Hotel Maiko Villa</p>

<p>Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall seen from the Seaside Hotel Maiko Villa. This is the one and only memorial hall dedicated to Sun Yat-sen in Japan. This residence was originally built by a successful Chinese businessman as his resort villa, and Sun Yat-sen visited the place in 1913, which was the reason it was made into his memorial hall later</p>

<p>Two historical buildings (left: Former Muto Sanji residence, right: Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall) with the Great Akashi Strait Bridge (aka: Pearl Bridge) in the backdrop</p>

<p>From the Seaside Hotel Maiko Villa, you'll ride this elevator to go down to the ground level where the Maiko Park is located</p>

<p>The elevator to the Seaside Hotel Maiko Villa from the ground level where Maiko Park is located</p>

<p>This elevator doesn't go up and down, but sideways; how unique!</p>

<p>As soon as you go down to the ground level you can see Maiko Park and the Great Akashi Strait Bridge (Pearl Bridge) just across the street</p>

<p>Pine trees inside Maiko Park. There are 1,500 pine trees in the park</p>

<p>Former Muto Sanji residence. He was the ex-CEO of Kanebo and a member of the House of Representatives. He built this house in 1907 and after he passed away in 1934 Kanebo used the house as a recreation facility for the company employees. In 2007, Kanebo donated the house to Hyogo prefecture</p>

<p>Passing-by speed boat and the Great Akashi Strait Bridge (Pearl Bridge)</p>

<p>Great Akashi Strait Bridge. This bridge is the biggest suspension bridge in the world</p>

At the foot of the Great Akashi Strait Bridge (aka: Pearl Bridge), Maiko Park spreads alongside the sea. I happened to stay in the Seaside Hotel Maiko Villa for one night, to then get on a bus bound for Tokushima, which departs from a bus stop near the hotel, and found the entire Maiko area just beautiful. Here, you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Pearl Bridge, the biggest suspension bridge in the world, sparkling sea and beautiful greenery. Inside the park, there are historical buildings (former Muto Sanji residence, San Yat-sen Memorial Hall, former Kinoshita Family residence), as well as a 1,500-pine tree forest. It is surely a great retreat for everyone.

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...