The town of Nikko (日光) is located in the Tochigi Prefecture, in the North of Tokyo. It is mainly famous for a great natural environment and beautiful shrines, namely the Toshogu Shrine. Some other attractions in Nikko worth the visit are the ex Italian and British Embassy villa.

From the mid Meiji period (1868-1912)to the early Showa period (1926–1989) Embassies and foreigners built their villas in this area. As a result, the Chuzenji lakeside developed as an international summer resort. One of the most beautiful buildings is the ex Italian Embassy, now transformed into museum and open to the publicwith the name of Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park.

The villa was built as summer residence for the Italian Embassy in 1928 and successive ambassadors used it until 1997.

On the 1st floor there are the beautiful living room, the dining room and the study. What’s more, from all the room is possible to reach a spacious veranda equipped with chairs and small tables.

Bedrooms on the 2nd floor are arranged to face the lake, which design makes the most of the lake view.

Its major characteristic includes the exterior/interior finished with the cedar-bark by changing its patterns.

It is the symbol of the international summer resort blending in the rich natural environment. It makes wonder of the summer resort life where the time went by slowly.

After the visit you can enjoy a coffee admiring the lake at the Caffè Como.

Normal entrance fee to the museum is 200yen, with some discounts available.

More information on the official website of the Nikko Italian Embassy villa: https://www.nikko-nsm.co.jp/en/italy.html

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