Honjin Iwanami House

This beautifully preserved landmark was once high-class accommodation for royalty and key leaders across Japan. Its architecture is fundamentally Kyoto-style, with some key differences in structure, interior design, and roofing that are unique to the region. As the house was made for VIPs, there are escape rooms and hatches built-in to protect them from possible attack. The back room is an open tatami seating area that faces one of the most beautifully sculpted gardens in the region. The scene provides an excellent photographic opportunity during all four seasons and a nice place to sit and relax for a few minutes between your travels.