In the mountain countryside of Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture, a remarkable cultural site brings together the history of modern medicine, traditional architecture, Japanese garden design, and local food culture. Ishoku-no-Manabiya (Former Hatagasako Hospital) and the neighboring Hori Garden (Former Hori Family Garden) preserve the legacy of the Hori family, whose activities contributed to the development of the local community.
Surrounded by the peaceful scenery of the Tsuwano countryside, the site offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the history of regional healthcare while enjoying the beauty of a historic Japanese garden.
The history of the site dates back to 1892, when businessman Hori Reizo established Hatagasako Hospital as a private medical institution. Hori had built his fortune through mining and established the hospital with the aim of providing local residents with affordable, high-quality medical care.
At a time when modern medical services were still developing in rural Japan, Hatagasako Hospital played an important role as an early provider of regional healthcare. The hospital later expanded its operations by establishing branch facilities and medical offices in surrounding areas.
As the organization and management of the hospital changed over the years, however, its activities gradually came to an end. The hospital finally closed in 1984.
The present facility centers on a building that was expanded in 1917. After careful restoration, it was reopened in 2016 as a museum and educational facility known as Ishoku-no-Manabiya.
The restored building allows visitors to experience the atmosphere of a rural hospital from the early 20th century while learning about the development of medical care in Japan.
The facility includes permanent exhibition rooms and a gallery introducing the history of Hatagasako Hospital and medical practices of the time. One of the highlights is a recreation of the hospital as it appeared during the early Showa period.
The consultation room, surgical room, and examination room have been recreated using historical references. Medical instruments, furniture, and other objects once used at the hospital help visitors imagine what medical care was like in the past.
In the consultation room, visitors can sense the atmosphere in which patients were once examined. The surgical room introduces materials about the history of the hospital and its founder, while the examination room features interactive displays that make learning about medical development more engaging.
The long corridor lined with former hospital rooms also provides a sense of the scale and role that the hospital once played in the local community.
The appeal of the Former Hatagasako Hospital extends beyond its architecture. The grounds retain elements of a landscaped environment that was designed as an integral part of the hospital.
Chinese parasol trees, which were traditionally regarded as useful medicinal trees, were planted around the patient rooms and operating areas. Flower beds were constructed using slag bricks produced during the copper-refining process, reflecting the connection between the hospital and the region’s mining industry.
Historical records also indicate that flowers and medicinal herbs were cultivated in greenhouses on the grounds. These features offer a glimpse into an approach to healthcare in which the natural environment, plants, and medical care were closely connected.
The surviving landscape is regarded as a valuable example of early modern hospital garden design and forms part of the cultural property associated with Hori Garden, which is designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty.
The facility also houses Kate, a restaurant inspired by the traditional Japanese concept of “ishoku dogen,” the idea that food and medicine share the same fundamental purpose of supporting well-being.
The restaurant prepares dishes using seasonal ingredients from the surrounding area. Rather than simply serving a meal, it provides an opportunity to discover local food culture and reflect on the relationship between food, daily life, and well-being.
Visitors can also find locally related seasonings available by weight, books, and workshops. Together, these activities make Ishoku-no-Manabiya a place where visitors can explore the knowledge and traditions of rural life as well as the history of medicine.
Enjoying a meal surrounded by the peaceful scenery of the countryside offers a relaxing way to experience the connection between nature, food, and culture.
Adjacent to the former hospital is Hori Garden (Former Hori Family Garden), a beautiful Japanese garden associated with the Hori family, who prospered through copper mining.
The garden was created around 1897 and is designed as a strolling pond garden. The landscape incorporates the wooded mountains behind the property as a borrowed scenic view, while carefully arranged garden stones, stone lanterns, ponds, and vegetation create a harmonious composition.
Hori Garden is designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty and is particularly impressive in autumn, when the surrounding trees turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow.
One of the garden’s most distinctive seasonal features is known as “three-stage coloring.” In autumn, the colors of the maple trees and other vegetation change gradually from the lower slopes toward the summit, creating different layers of autumn foliage across the mountainside.
This dramatic progression of color makes Hori Garden one of the notable autumn foliage destinations in the San’in region.
The Former Hori Family Garden is not a single garden but a collection of landscapes created during different periods of Japanese history.
The main garden beside the residence dates from the Edo period and has a restrained, peaceful character. In contrast, the garden surrounding Rakuzanso, a guest hall built during the Meiji period, features a more dynamic landscape.
Warakuen, developed during the Taisho period, incorporates several ponds and waterfalls. Visitors can stroll through the grounds while enjoying changing views from different perspectives.
Although each garden reflects the aesthetic preferences of its particular era, the landscapes are carefully integrated into one harmonious setting. Walking through them provides an unusual opportunity to experience how Japanese garden design evolved over time.
The Hori family had been involved in copper mining since the Edo period and became highly prosperous during the Meiji era. Hori Reizo, the family’s 15th head, was known not only for his mining business but also for his contributions to the local community.
His activities included the establishment of Hatagasako Hospital and support for education. These efforts reflected a broader commitment to improving life in the surrounding region.
The history of the Hori family can still be seen in the architecture, gardens, and surviving medical facilities. Together, these elements give the site cultural significance that extends well beyond that of an ordinary tourist attraction.
Ishoku-no-Manabiya and Hori Garden bring together several aspects of Tsuwano’s heritage: the history of modern medicine, the legacy of a prosperous mining family, traditional Japanese garden design, local food culture, and the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains.
Visitors can explore recreated hospital rooms, historical medical equipment, and educational exhibits before walking through gardens shaped over several centuries. Seasonal scenery, particularly the autumn foliage, adds another dimension to the experience.
For travelers interested in Japanese history and architecture, the site offers a different perspective on Tsuwano beyond its famous castle town. It is also a rewarding destination for those who enjoy Japanese gardens, traditional culture, and peaceful rural landscapes.
From JR Tsuwano Station, the site is approximately 15 minutes by car. It can also be reached by bus, with stops such as Hatagasako or Hori Garden-mae located close to the site.
A visit to this quiet mountain area is an excellent addition to a Tsuwano itinerary. After exploring the historic streets of the castle town, travelers can venture farther into the countryside to discover a lesser-known side of Tsuwano’s history and culture.