Asahi no Ma

The Most Elegant Salon in the State Guest House, Akasaka Palace
Asahi no Ma is located up the grand stairway from the entrance hall, beyond the Large Hall. Called the "First Guest Room" when the residence was first built, Asahi no Ma corresponds to the audience room in European palaces. Now used as the drawing and sitting room for visiting dignitaries, the room is the most elegant one in the facility; it also hosts ceremonial welcomes and summit meetings.
Highlights

Ceiling Painting of Aurora, Goddess of Dawn
The feature that gave rise to the name of this salon was painted by a French artist. It depicts Aurora, Roman goddess of dawn, driving a chariot across the heavens with the rising sun behind her, holding a laurel branch in her left hand and the rein of four white horses in her right hand.

Carpet Woven Using Threads Dyed in 47 Shades
The dantsu carpet that cushions the floor is woven with a motif of cherry blossoms, using threads dyed in 47 shades to achieve the subtle changes in color. This fine control over hue is what makes the delicate gradation characteristic of Japanese aesthetic possible, giving the entire space a restful and elegant ambience.

Crystal Chandeliers
These are the chandeliers brought from France at the time of the residence's construction, a superb and refined example of their kind.

Columns of Norwegian Rose Marble
There are a total of 16 pillars carved from pink marble patterned with white pigments, quarried in Norway.

Kinkazan Textile from the Mills of Nishijin, Kyoto
The walls are paneled in velvet-flocked silk damask, called Kinkazan textile, from the famed workshops of Kyoto's Nishijin textile district.

Wall Art
The walls are decorated with images of armor, helmet, and lion heads with chains held in their jaws, said to represent the army.

Wall Art
The walls are decorated with images of ship's figurehead, laurel, oar and anchor, said to symbolize the navy.

Great Candelabra
The four corners of the salon hold floor candelabra. The base is onyx.
You may pay for a visit without prior reservation/with sign-in reception on the day of your visit.