The building was constructed by Asami Matazo, a wealthy merchant in Nagahama, as a resting place for the Emperor Meiji. This building, together with the garden created by Jihei (Ueji) Ogawa VII, a pioneer of modern Japanese gardens, has been designated a national place of scenic beauty. The garden is a masterful expression of three-dimensional composition and grand design, and is made of giant stones. The garden is also famous as the site of the Nagahama Bonbaiten (Bon Plum Blossom Festival). The Nagahama Bonbaiten has been held since 1952 and is known as "the best Bonbaiten exhibition in Japan" in terms of both history and scale. This exhibition has become a popular New Year's tradition in the Kansai region. The venue, Keiunkan, is a guest house in Nagahama built for the visit of Empress Dowager Shoken, the Emperor of Meiji. The building was named by the first prime minister, Hirobumi Ito. The expansive pond garden, designated as a national place of scenic beauty, is also one of the highlights of the site.