This summer residence of the imperial family was built around the Tokugawa Kishu clan's first residence, imported from Edo in 1872. In a feat of technical prowess, its 106 rooms, interconnected by corridors, are located on a single floor. The villa was initially created for Prince Yoshihito (future Emperor Taisho) and went on to be used until 1947, by three different emperors. It combines the architectural styles of the Edo, Meiji and Taisho periods. The splendid garden that surrounds the building originally encompassed the outskirts of Nikko and nearby botanical garden.