Let's get to know Kamonyama　Park

Mt. Kamon - This difficult name is read as "Kamonyama". This word is named after Naosuke Ii, the elder, who contributed to the opening of Yokohama. Naosuke Ii was the lord of the Hikone clan, and the head of the Ii family was called "Kamon no Kami" for generations.
It is a park that gives you calmness and peace of mind every season. On the premises, there are playground equipment open space where many children gather and Yokohama Noh-theater, which has the oldest Noh stage in Kanto.

1)Until the Great Kanto Earthquake
Until the Edo period, it was called Fudoyama on a hill facing the sea.
In the early Meiji era, the government building of a foreign railway engineer who was involved in the opening of Japan's first railway (between Shimbashi and Sakuragicho) was built and used as a railway site even after its opening.
In 1884, the former Hikone feudal lords bought it and owned by the Ii family, and on the 50th anniversary of the opening of Yokohama Port in 1909, along with the construction of a bronze statue of Naosuke Ii and donated a stone fountain.
It was donated to Yokohama by the Ii family to Yokohama in 1914 and maintained as Kamonyama　Park. From the park, you can overlook the sea, and it seems that it was popular as a scenic spot with a good view.
After the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, all the gardens collapsed, but the park became a fire protection zone and became the neighboring evacuation sites.

"The Busy of Mt. Kamon" "Yokohama Trade Shimpo July 11, 1909" (Yokohama Port Opening Museum)

Bronze Statue Plaza “Kanagawa 100 Years ago,” owned by Municipal Central Library.

Cherry Blossom viewing at Mt. Kamon “Kanagawa, Yokohama 100 Years ago” (owned by Municipal Central Library)

Opening ceremony “50th Anniversary Book” (held by Yokohama Port Opening Museum)

After the Great Kanto Earthquake, restoration and maintenance work was carried out inKamonyama　Park as well. The Japanese garden in the park was built at this time. Many plants such as cherry blossoms and pine trees were also planted. In addition, local residents donated cherry blossoms and plums, and they were thriving as scenic sightseeing spots.
During World War II, bronze statues were collected by the government's metal collection instructions. Cherry blossoms were cut down as fuel, and most of the facilities and trees were burned down by the Yokohama raid on May 28, 1945, and the remaining ones were burnt.

Bronze Statue Plaza after the Great East Japan Earthquake "Yokohama Reconstruction Magazine Third Edition", owned by Municipal Central Library

After the war, we planted cherry blossom seedlings (more than 80 donations from local volunteers), shii trees and Himalayas cedars from Kishinekoen (tens of trees) from Kishinekoen, but for several years, reconstruction did not progress as expected.
At the 100th anniversary of the opening of the port in 1953, a commemorative event was held with the restoration of the bronze statue, maintenance and repair around the statue, planting trees, and maintenance of open space garden roads.
It has also been used as a place for local residents, such as the local Neighborhood Associations.

“Kanagawa Shimbun-sha, Yokohama Version” September 21, 1962 (Yokohama Port Opening Museum)

Nishi Ward, held by Municipal Central Library.

In the urbanized Nishi Ward, it is a typical park with a large amount of greenery. Cherry blossoms planted after the war have grown and are known as a famous spot for cherry blossom viewing. In addition, every summer, a meeting to listen to the sounds of insects is held.
In 1996, the Yokohama Noh-theater was built. In recent years, condominium construction has been carried out around, and new park users are expected.
It is also a representative park in Nishi Ward, located in an area where the charm of theKamonyama　Park and Kanagawa Pref. Concert Hall gathers.

Cherry blossoms and bronze statues in recent years

(1)Yokohama Archives of History edition (1999) The scenery seen in Yokohama and Kanagawa picture postcard 100 years ago, Yurindo

(2)Nishi Ward History Editorial Committee of Yokohama Nishi Ward, Yokohama Nishi Ward History Publication Committee

(3)Nishi Ward's Editorial Committee, Nishi WardNishi Ward

(4)Yasuharu Tamura (2009) End of the Conflict and Cases concerning the construction of the statue of Kamonyama　Park Naosuke Ii

(5)Unknown (1938) Yokohama City Park Overview

(6)Yokohama City Hall (1932) Yokohama Reconstruction Magazine, Yokohama City Hall

(7)Nishi Ward History Editorial Committee, Yokohama Nishi Ward History Editorial Committee

(8)Kokichi Iioka Monument Construction Committee (1982) Mt. Kamon Kokichi Iioka

Many others

The development of Yokohama City began in 1859 when it became Japan's first trading city open to the world with the opening of Yokohama Port. Elder Naosuke Ii was the leading figure in the opening of the port.
Later, in 1884, the former Hikone feudal lord purchased a railway mountain in Nishi Ward to build a monument to the late elder Naosuke Ii. After the statue was erected, the park site and bronze statue were donated to Yokohama City, and the railway mountain has now been changed from the official position of Naosuke Ii to "Mt. Kamonyama Park" from Naosuke Ii.

Exchange between Hikone City and Nishi Ward, Yokohama City.

In 1958, in the year of the 100th anniversary of the opening of Yokohama, 1,000 people, including Mayor Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, held a commemorative ceremony at Mt. Kamonyama Park in memory of Naosuke Ii. After that, the exchange between Hikone City and Nishi Ward continued, and Mayor Hikone and Hikone Gun Corps came to the beach at the "Nishi Ward Insects Sounds Listening Meeting", and the gun squadron was also performed.

The Hikone gun squadron at Kamonyama　Park

Exchange between Nishi Ward and Hikone City will continue!

Inquiries: West Public Works Office Sewage and Park Section Telephone: 045-242-1313 FAX: 045-241-7582