Enoura Observatory

The site is a hilly area covered with citrus trees in Enoura, in the Kataura district of Odawara, adjacent to Prefectural Route 740. Nestled against the outer rim of the Hakone Mountains and overlooking Sagami Bay, it has panoramic views extending to the Boso Peninsula and Oshima Island. The facility was envisioned by contemporary artist Hiroshi Sugimoto as a forum for disseminating art and culture both within Japan and to the world, and comprises a gallery space, a noh stage, the revived Tensho-an tea ceremony room, the restored Muromachi Period (c. 1338-1573) Meigetsu Gate, a strolling garden, and offices.
From the early modern period onward, the Itabashi district and other areas of Odawara were home to groups of artisans with mastery of sophisticated techniques, which have been handed down continuously until the present day. The Enoura Complex will be constructed using these techniques and methods, which are growing increasingly difficult to preserve, and will feature a range of architectural styles from medieval to contemporary.