A feudal lord's garden with an adult atmosphere that shines in the dark night

The other day at night, I went to Genkyu-en, the daimyo garden of the Ii family, the lords of Hikone domain, located right next to Hikone Castle, the national treasure.  Genkyu-en Garden is lit up several times a year at night. In particular, ''Moon Viewing Evening'' is held  from 6 to 8:30 pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, if Monday is a holiday, within September this year. There are koto（Japanese harp）performances and high school or college brass band performances. Matcha tea and draft beer are available outside in the garden. 

Koto performances（Japanese harp）are held  at the second and third weekends of September in the Japanese style tea house named Hosyodai.  The door is wide open so you can hear it from outside. Three troupes (also called “Shachu” ) perform Koto each day in shifts.

This is a daytime scene. Traditional Japanese architecture surrounded by trees. We can taste Matcha tea and sweets during the day (charge applies).

This is the lantern with Hikonyan on it. I borrowed it from staffs at the entrance.
Hikonyan is the mascot created by the city government of Hikone, Japan in 2007 to mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of Hikone Castle.

He is the motif of a white cat and puts on Kabuto, a decorative samurai helmet. 

In the back, a local college brass band is playing. After that, there was a live performance by a electronic organ player.

This is a daytime scene.

Rinchikaku, the guest house of the lord, and its reflection on the pond. Hikone Castle illuminated is seen at the top.

This is a daytime scene.　The Castle Tower rises on high stone walls.

Rinchikaku seen from another direction.

This is a daytime scene. In the center, Rinchikaku is extending into the pond. In the left, Hosyodai, the Japanese style tea house, is seen.