A guest house built during the Taisho era (1912–1926) as a villa for the wealthy Saito merchant family. The villa is an open structure with a large garden that utilizes a gentle stream and pond. Niigata is known for being a port town, so it was the main business for wealthy merchants, like the Saito family. The collaboration between a Japanese garden, architecture, and illumination produces a fantastic space. National Site of Scenic Beauty. In 2017, the illumination will be conducted on November 3rd, 4th, 5th, 11th, and the 12th. The Old Saito Residence, Niigata: See 98 reviews, articles, and 155 photos of The Old Saito Residence, ranked No.4 on Tripadvisor among 232 attractions in Niigata. Saito Family Villa, Niigata Built in 1918 by the wealthy merchant Kijuro Saito IV, this large historic villa overlooks a traditional Japanese-style garden designed to incorporate the area’s natural sand dunes. The villa itself was carefully and spaciously planned for the viewing of its superb Japanese garden and to avoid the summer heat. The villa was constructed following Japanese aesthetics, plus, the design of the whole villa makes that the house and the garden are connected creating a unity. Over a site of about an acre extends a dynamic Japanese garden designed for walking that makes good use … Hotels near The Old Saito Residence: (1.18 km) Hotel Okura Niigata (0.39 km) The Italia Ken (0.77 km) Country Hotel Niigata (0.80 km) Toyoko Inn Niigata Furumachi (0.72 km) Hotel Diasmont Niigata; View all hotels near The Old Saito Residence on Tripadvisor Niigata Saito Villa. Visitors are drawn in by the beautiful sights during each and every season. Large, overhanging , old pine trees form the backdrop for the numerous maple trees (Acer japonicum) that have been planted along … The Niigata Saitou Villa is characterized by its unique design that integrates both the garden and building into a single unit. The villa is also illuminated at night annually in November. The villa cost a huge amount of money and three years to complete. In 1918, a wealthy merchant in Niigata, Saito Kijuro (IV), built a beautiful summer villa. The open rooms offer views to the main area of the garden, prefect for meditation, a tea ceremony, receive important … The Old Saito Residence, Niigata: See 98 reviews, articles, and 155 photos of The Old Saito Residence, ranked No.4 on Tripadvisor among 229 attractions in Niigata. This facility is designated as a scenic spot of the country. Saito Family Summer Villa was built by Kijyuro Saito in 1918 (the Taisho period). The street adjacent to the Niigata Saito Villa is commonly called Shirakabe-dori, a charming streetscape of paved stone and black wooden walls. Now, his great mansion and Japanese-style garden are exhibited as a cultural heritage site. Photo courtesy of: Niigata Saito Villa.