Rikugien Garden, as one of the representative circuit style gardens from the Edo period, possesses a 300-year history with diverse changes in water conveyance methods for its pond. These water features are integral components that cannot be overlooked when examining the garden's overall historical context. This study focuses on the water level fluctuations in Rikugien Garden and their relationship with the Senkawa-josui (waterworks). Specifically, we target the An-ei (1773~1781) and Ten-mei (1781~1789) eras, including the period of the Senkawa-josui, to investigate whether the waterworks was used to supply water to the garden's pond where information about the water source remains scarce, and the purpose of this study is to clarify the changes in the water level of the ponds in Rikugien Garden and the changes in the landscape caused by these changes. By analyzing "Enyu-Nikki" (1773~1785), a diary written by Nobutoki YANAGISAWA, the third lord of the YANAGISAWA family, and utilizing historical records such as "Rakushido Nenroku" (1658~1709) by the first lord, Yoshiyasu YANAGISAWA, significant water level fluctuations in the garden throughout different seasons were revealed. The findings also suggest that during the Ten-mei and An-ei eras, people may have paid attention to the changes in the landscape caused by fluctuations in the water level of pond.

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Stone lanterns were introduced to Japan along with Buddhism and began to be installed in temples first; then, it was incorporated into tea gardens and gardens of ordinary households since the early modern period. This study, with the comparison among Rengeji lanterns made in Nishigoshu (Minamikomatsu district, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture) centering Kahei Nishimura’s work and other regions to clarify the characteristics of the Nishigoshu Rengeji Lanterns. The purpose is to capture the morphological changes of the Rengeji lanterns, focusing on the work of Kahei Nishimura, who was called a master craftsman. As a result, the characteristics of the Kahei Nishimura and also Nishigoshu Rengeji Lantern have seven parts, and each part has a highly unique shape and pattern. Also, its elaborate carving and several details showed a high degree of decorativeness and originality of the Nishigoshu Rengeji Lanterns. In addition, as a result of examining the stages in which the form of the Nishigoshu Rengeji Lantern was fixed to its current form, it can be said that the form of the lantern changed from linear to curved and from simple to complex.

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This study aims to identify the uniqueness of McHarg’s spatial conception in the early phase of his career as a landscape planner, by comparing his drawings for housing studies with his essays about his ideal composition of housing and with drawings of modern architects who are considered to have influences on McHarg’s thought. The results show the following three items: (1) the existence of spatial manipulations that are not described in the essays written by McHarg but are represented in his drawings, (2) spatial manipulations indicated as (1) are consistent with a fundamental compositional concept of “integration of man-made and natural materials, emphasizing open space and natural materials”, and (3) spatial manipulations of (1) and the fundamental compositional concept of (2) are recognized as the uniqueness of McHarg’s spatial conception, which is independent of the influence of modern architecture. It is likely that his unique spatial conception in his early phase led up later to his theory of ecological planning in his representative work of “Design with Nature”.

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Questionnaire surveys were conducted at the Hitachi Seaside Park to ascertain the actual status of human support received by park users with mobility difficulties and the actual status of human support provided by park staff. The results showed that a high percentage of users with mobility difficulties received human assistance. The high percentage was particularly noticeable among wheelchair users, who are considered to have more severe disabilities, and a high percentage of them received multiple types of human assistance, as well as multiple types of assistance. The human support received was not only from park staff, but also from other park users, amounting to about 10% of the total. Although there were differences by attribute, the highest percentage of support received was the provision of information. Regarding human support provided by park staff, most of the requests were for information provision, while those provided voluntarily were for assistance and activity support. On the other hand, it became clear that there was a bias in the staff who provided support, with 40% of the staff not having been approached and 50% having never provided support, suggesting that measures to improve these issues will be necessary in the future.

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In Japan, most mandatory green roofs are subject to neglect because of the minimal budget for maintenance. Consequently, spontaneous vegetation (SV) has occurred and replaced existing planting. SV, which is reportedly to increase biodiversity and stabilize the ecosystem in Europe, has the potential to be positively evaluated even in Tokyo. In order to evaluate the SV and devise a way of roof greening with extensive management, we investigated the 14 existing mandatory green roofs in Sumida-ku, Tokyo. Vegetation surveys were conducted from July to August 2022. The results showed that 73 spontaneous species were detected, and they improved green roof biodiversity. Cluster analysis and NMDS results showed that the wilderness in an urban context evolved on the green roofs. We concluded that the mandatory green roofs could supply wilderness to urban residents. In addition, we suggested a supplemental planting of rare and endangered species and the use of moss species in order to utilize the spontaneous vegetation and minimize the cost of roof greening.

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Taking Utsunomiya City as the survey site, where the conservation of local buildings and infrastructures made of Oya-stone has been considered for years, this study aims to identify relationships between local residents’ uses and their perceptions of Oya-stone by using a factor analysis and multiple regression models based on questionnaire data. The results show that the long-term use for warehouses related to the positive brand image on Oya-stone, while the long-term use for fences or retaining walls surrounding houses related to the perception of the positive brand image on or the attachment for Oya-stone. These findings suggest that the less aesthetic but functional fences and retaining walls, which are sometimes treated as a nuisance and prompted to remove by the local government, could be rather the precious sources raising local people’s positive brand image on or attachment for Oya-stone. Considering the newly found roles of the common fences and retaining walls made of Oya-stone, the governmental measures for conservations should positively include them as well as historic buildings or warehouses.

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“Enchi” is a site that has a body of water. Most of them originated in Daimyo gardens of feudal lords during the Edo period and were inherited through the movement to turn them into parks after Meiji period. When those were originally constructed in close connectivity with the natural water system, Enchi was a part of integrated network. However, they have gradually been disconnected from natural water systems, and the interrelationship between those has become weaker. The purpose of this research is as follows. (1) to understand the status, background, and the changing relationship between Enchi and the water system, (2) to presume the conditions for reorganizing relationship between gardens, Enchi, and water systems, (3) to propose the ideal form of historic gardens and Enchi for reactivating local water systems. Based upon survey of 28 gardens confirmed on maps of the study area from Edo to the Meiji period, the following points were revealed. (1) The connectivity with natural water systems has shifted to that with urban systems, (2) The topographical conditions of the gardens and the remaining structures secure the possibility of reconnection. (3) Historic gardens and Enchi will be recognized as a touchstone for reorganizing modern water systems in highly urbanized environment in Tokyo.

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Much of the information in “Sakuteiki”, now considered Japan's oldest landscape gardening book, has been based on the research findings of Dr. T. Tamura (1890-1979) and other Edo Era researchers. In order to clarify the process of formation of the current knowledge, a literature survey was conducted focusing on the changes of the name, using information from the extant hand copied manuscripts of “Sakuteiki” and the colophon of the published books. As a result, the “Yanagidani-bon,” a representative document in which the name “Sakuteiki” appeared, was the first of the extant manuscripts to be established. All of the books whose creation dates are known were created after the Edo Era, with the exception of the “Tanimura” book. The name “Sakuteiki” is a proper noun that is attributed to a series of books published between 1793 and 1819 called Gunsho Ruiju. It is now clear that before that time, proper names such as “Some book” were treated as unknown, and various other names were used, such as “Go Kyōgoku Sakutei no Ki,” “Senzui Shō,” “Enchi Hishō,” etc. In the future, it is necessary to analyze the significance of landscaping in the Edo Era, when various landscaping books were developed, in light of social.

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Abeno Nanasaka are Aishin sloping street, Aioi sloping street, Sakura sloping street, Yashiro sloping street, Midori sloping street, Minami sloping street, and Miya sloping street, all located on the Uemachi Plateau in Aben-Ku. This study surveys and analyzes the landscape of the Abeno Nanasaka from visual, historical, and social aspects. In the historical survey, the historical value of the slope was evaluated using the historic landscape characterization. As a result of the survey, it was found that each of the Abeno Nanasaka have a unique topography and road alignment, and that they are all historic slopes. Many of the slopes have powerful elevated landscapes with slopes looming over them. In addition, some slopes have a sense of expectation due to their bends. This area was once described as an ideal residential area with excellent views, and it was found that a slope with a view exists on Abeno Nanasaka. Furthermore, this area is designated as a Scenic District. In the Scenic District, the significance of newly created urban landscapes is emphasized. In Abeno Nanasaka, examples of newly created landscapes were identified.

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Traditional Chinese gardens are designed with the concept of showing the beauty of natural plants and have the characteristics of integrating architecture and planting. Therefore, in addition to visually appreciating the natural beauty of the plant landscape, people can also feel the aroma of the plants in the garden up close through their sense of smell. However, studies demonstrating the relationship between the effects of plant aroma and planting design in traditional Chinese gardens are rare. Therefore, this study investigates the role of the aroma of plants in Zhanyuan Garden, a famous aromatic garden in China, based on two experiments on the effect of volatile aromatic components. The experiments were conducted through the POMS and impression evaluation questionnaires to examine aromatic components' psychological impact on people, and the experimental results were analyzed based on the planting plan of Zhanyuan Garden. By exploring the impact of the main aromatic components emanating from the garden plants on visitors' moods, this paper reveals the intent behind the planting design in the traditional Chinese garden and the relationship between plant aromas' different effects and traditional Chinese gardens' planting design.

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This study delves into the historical significance of Hakusan shrine and its transformation into Hakusan Park during the early and late modern period. From a socio-cultural perspective, by examining historical administrative material and documents, it also explores the relationship between residents and governing bodies (Niigata prefecture, Niigata city, Niigata ward, etc.) in the establishment and management of Hakusan Park within the precincts of Hakusan shrine. The case studies focus on the shrine and park from the Edo era to the Meiji era. The findings indicate that Hakusan shrine played a vital role in shaping the socio-cultural aspects of Niigata town during the early modern period. The transition from a shrine precinct to a modern park brought about a loss of its economic function and impacted its religious significance. While the townspeople continued to view the park as a space for pilgrimage inherited from the early modern period, the emergence of new functions and meanings during the Meiji era coexisted alongside its sacred nature. However, changes in the course of the Shinano River due to the appearance of sandbars led to deterioration of the park’s embankment function, resulting in the loss of its once scenic landscape.

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This paper explored residual conditions of vacant lots in a residential-commercial mixed-use district in Tokyo and estimated the accessibility effects of utilizing vacant lots as an open space. The study was conducted in Kanda area, Chiyoda-Ward, a typical mixed residential-commercial mixed-use district. First, we conducted an on-site survey and classified the vacant lots into four types based on their remaining duration and scale. Findings suggest that small-scale and long-term vacant lots were distributed mainly in Kanda areas, most used as parking lots. Few large-scale and long-term vacant lots would be recognized as open space even under the current law. Next, we compared the utilization effects of vacant lots in terms of accessibility by neighborhood land use and building density characteristics. As a result, utilization of a cluster of vacant lots was more effective in dense areas with a lack of public open space. On the other hand, it was found that the utilization of vacant land based on the current law is insufficient to alleviate the open space shortage in dense areas. To determine which vacant land should be prioritized for future development, a further evaluation of spatial accessibility and site condition is needed.

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This paper describes restoring and repairing terraced rice field landscape components within designated Important Cultural Landscape areas. The aim is to elucidate how conflicting issues regarding landscape conservation and enhancement of the farming environment were addressed through consultations prior to proposing changes to the existing state to the government. To ascertain the content of consultations for landscape and farming environment coordination during preliminary consultation, as well as the actual construction work, questionnaires and interviews were conducted with the municipal government. Consultations were predominantly conducted to ensure both landscape conservation and, notably, to reinforce disaster prevention measures, resulting in decisions to utilize artificial materials such as concrete or to modify construction methods. During the consultation sessions, landowners’ preferences were initially respected, followed by discussions that primarily focused on landscape considerations, with cost being a key factor. The cumulative landscape ramifications of similar future changes are anticipated to be substantial.

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Taking Utsunomiya City as the survey site, where the conservation of local buildings and infrastructures made of Oya-stone has been considered for years, this study aims to identify relationships between local residents’ uses and their perceptions of Oya-stone by using a factor analysis and multiple regression models based on questionnaire data. The results show that the long-term use for warehouses related to the positive brand image on Oya-stone, while the long-term use for fences or retaining walls surrounding houses related to the perception of the positive brand image on or the attachment for Oya-stone. These findings suggest that the less aesthetic but functional fences and retaining walls, which are sometimes treated as a nuisance and prompted to remove by the local government, could be rather the precious sources raising local people’s positive brand image on or attachment for Oya-stone. Considering the newly found roles of the common fences and retaining walls made of Oya-stone, the governmental measures for conservations should positively include them as well as historic buildings or warehouses.

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