Aoki Villa Allée
Cedar-Lined Allée to the Historic Aoki Villa in Rural Tochigi, Japan
栃木の田園に残る歴史的洋館・旧青木家那須別邸を彩る杉並木の道
Tucked away at the end of a grand cedar-lined lane, the approach to Aoki Villa once served as the horse-carriage entrance for Viscount Shūzō Aoki (青木周蔵; 1844–1914), a former samurai who rose to become one of Japan’s leading diplomats.
Built in 1888 in Tochigi’s Nasu Highlands, this German-inspired residence blends European elegance with the quiet beauty of the rural Japanese landscape, complete with its white shingle exterior, dormer windows, and graceful wrap-around verandas.
During my visit, vivid scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea) lined the approach to the front porch, contrasting beautifully with the deep shade and lush greenery surrounding the estate. The lane leading to the house is composed of 139 trees stretching approximately 240 meters (787 feet): 104 cedars, 28 Sawara cypress, and 7 hinoki cypress. All were planted around the same time prior to the villa’s completion, meaning they are now roughly 140 to 150 years old.
The cool mountain air, the shade cast by these majestic trees, and the peaceful setting made it a perfect escape from Yokohama’s summer heat for both me and my border collie. It’s a rare opportunity to enjoy a meticulously preserved European-style villa, quite unlike anything found in modern Japanese homes.
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If this scene speaks to you, prints and downloads are available:・Order prints, digital downloads, or commercial licenses・Explore gifts and merchandiseLocation: Nasushiobara, Tochigi Pref., Japan
Timestamp: 2025/09/02・12:54
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
28 mm ISO 100 for 1/160 sec. at ƒ/8
If this scene speaks to you, prints and downloads are available:・Order prints, digital downloads, or commercial licenses・Explore gifts and merchandiseLocation: Nasushiobara, Tochigi Pref., Japan
Timestamp: 2025/09/02・13:02
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
105 mm ISO 400 for 1/200 sec. at ƒ/10
