Sep 12, 2013 - 1 min read

Denshoen Park

A Step Back in Tono Time

By Chris Barnes

Community writer

It's easy to spend an hour wandering around the beautiful grounds of Densho-en park

The park is quite large and houses numerous buildings which paint a picture of Tono's past

As you enter Densho-en, you will immediately feel its nostalgic atmosphere

Inside the buildings you can take a glimpse of how Tono families lived behind closed doors

There are numerous exhibitions inside the buildings which showcase Tono's rich culture and past

The farming houses provide a glimpse of how Tono people worked back in the day

The gardens and buildings are immaculately maintained like they were back in the past

The beautifully maintained grounds of Densho-en Park

A small shrine amongst the Japanese gardens in Densho-en park

The entrance to Densho-en Park. The park is located approximately 5km from Tono Station

Denshoen Park is a replica village which offers a glimpse of traditional life in Tono. The park houses a number of buildings which provide visitors a glimpse of life from the past, including the Kikuchi Family Magariya, which has been designated a National Important Cultural Asset. The grounds and buildings are beautifully maintained, giving the park a lovely nostalgic atmosphere. There is a memorial mueum, showcasing the work of Sasaki Kizen, a famous Tales of Tono storyteller, which includes a collection of folk tales on mythical creatures and local customers. Towards the rear of the park there is a beautiful Japanese garden which features a working water wheel, shrine and of course lovely gardens. There are currently no English translations available in the park which makes it a little challenging for some tourists, but it's still well worth a visit. Entry is 310 yen for adults and 210 yen for children, the Densho-en park is open every day from 09:00 ~ 17:00.