Seikantei was built in 1906 (Meiji 39) in Odawara-cho, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture (now Minami-cho, Odawara City) as a villa for Marquis Kuroda Nagashige, who was active during the Meiji period. It is located on a south-facing slope on the outer earthworks of the Sannomaru outer enclosure of former Odawara Castle, and on clear days you can see a panoramic view of Sagami Bay, Manazuru Peninsula and Oshima, as well as Mount Hakone from the main house. The buildings are built in the casual Sukiya style, with one-story and two-story houses connected together. Inside you can see excellent design elements such as painted wooden sliding doors and wickerwork ceilings.
In 2005, Seikantei was registered as a national tangible cultural property, and is now open to the public as a facility of Odawara City since 2010.
There is also a café where you can enjoy coffee or matcha while looking out at the gardens and Sagami Bay. Seasonal special exhibitions, concerts and other events are also held on an irregular basis.
