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The Diplomat's House at the Yamate Italian Hill Garden: Di Molto Bene
Among the various attractions in Yokohama’s Yamate area, the Yamate Italia-yama Garden offers a particularly strong sense of exoticism. As you stroll through this diplomat’s residence, the adjacent Bluff No. 18, and the spacious gardens, you’ll experience an atmosphere that makes it hard to believe you’re actually in Japan. The name “Yamate Italian Hill Garden” seems to derive from the fact that the area was once home to the Italian Consulate, which is why it’s called “Italian Hill.” The Diplomat’s House was originally built in Shibuya as the residence of a Meiji-era government diplomat. It was relocated and restored to this garden in 1997 and designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan that same year. Since opportunities to closely examine such a lavishly designed house and Italian-style garden are rare, it was a truly delightful experience.
