Dedicated to the Most Famous Haiku Poet
Three minutes on foot from the centre of Yamanaka Onsen, this quiet facility celebrates the brief visit of MATSUO Basho (1644-1694), the most famous of all haiku poets of the Edo era (1603-1868). Basho was not only a renowned haiku master, but also the writer of ‘Oku no Hosomichi’ (The Narrow Road to the Deep North), a travel diary considered to be one of the major texts of Japanese literature. He stopped by Yamanaka Onsen during his journey to the north and composed a number of haiku evincing his deep love for this hot spring town. This splendid mansion, featuring two floors with a spacious, lavish interior, displays old books and Yamanaka lacquerware. Visitors can enjoy a cup of tea, and take a break while admiring the exquisite garden onsite.
