About Sasho
The stories whispered by the walls of this house,
a legacy inherited by Eikichi Sasho.
This traditional residence has watched over everything for the last century right up until today.
A garden in which you can experience the ‘Wabi’ (subdued beauty) and ‘Sabi’ (rustic patina) of Japan.
The essence of Sasho Eikichi hospitality resides here.
The impressive Sasho residence was built as a summer house in 1927 by a businessman and bought by Sasho Eikichi, a vice admiral turned lawyer who used his fortune to host a wide variety of guests, including top company executives, and provide them with a place to enjoy refined conversation.
The name of the residence comes from Sasho Eikichi’s surname.
His attention to detail when receiving guests is said to have given him the nickname ‘Kabukimono’ (someone who likes to scare people) because of his unique sense of aesthetics and values.
Kamakura, where samurai society was born, is always bustling and many famous writers and figures, such as novelist Akutagawa Ryunosuke, have come to live here. We think that the appeal of a historic summer retreat not far from Tokyo motivated them.
The prestigious Japanese house, Sasho, can be seen right at the end of the climb up the narrow alleyway in this Kamakura. The distinctive style of the residence includes a gabled roof such as those often seen at shrines and was built in the traditional style by a Kyoto shrine carpenter, which probably stimulated the aesthetic sense of Sasho Eikichi.
It is the garden that allows you to experience the Wabi-Sabi of Japan along with the century-old residence.
Under the supervision of a famous gardener to whom the style of the pond appreciation garden such as those at Kyoto’s Katsura Imperial Villa, Shugakuin Imperial Villa and The Kinkakuji Temple of the Golden Pavilion (Rokuonji) was passed down, Sasho Eikichi created this garden himself. Even today, visitors can enjoy this timeless garden with pine trees planted around the pond and three-legged stone lanterns as it changes season by season.
Sasho is run as a residence of good lineage surrounded by a garden as well as the land of nostalgic Kamakura.
Perpetuating the spirit of Sasho Eikichi‘s ‘Omotenashi’ (Japanese hospitality), we are waiting to welcome you warmly with our specialities, Shabu-Shabu and Sukiyaki.
