Yamate Park is the first Western-style park in Japan. It was originally known as Bluff Gardens and was opened in 1870 on land leased from the government. In order to help pay the rent, the ladies in the settlement formed the Ladies Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in 1878. The club is now known as the Yokohama International Tennis Club, and the courts cover much of the park area. However, a series of paths lead down through the trees and it is a pleasant area, shaded by Himalayan cedars imported from India and planted over 100 years ago. The Yamate Museum of Tennis is located in the park. -AH