The pavilion known as Bōgakurō is said to have been a gift from the Ryukyu Kingdom to Shimazu Mitsuhisa.

Its name means “Pavilion for Viewing the Mountain,” referring to Sakurajima.
The floor is paved with Chinese-style tiles, and the calligraphy of its name is based on the style of Wang Xizhi, a revered Chinese calligrapher.

In 1858, Shimazu Nariakira welcomed Katsu Kaishū and Dutch naval instructors here. Records show that important discussions about Japan’s future took place in this very pavilion.