Samuel Cocking (1854 – 1913) was a British entrepreneur who conducted business in Japan during the Meiji period. After establishing a trading firm in Yokohama, Cocking acquired land on the island of Enoshima, located in Sagami Bay near modern‑day Kanagawa Prefecture. Between 1880 and 1900, he constructed a large glass‑house complex—commonly referred to as “Cocking’s Garden” or “Cocking’s Greenhouse”—which housed a variety of exotic plants, including tropical and subtropical species imported from abroad. The facility also contained a private residence and served as a venue for scientific study and public exhibition of horticultural specimens.
Cocking’s Garden became a notable attraction in the region, reflecting the broader Meiji‑era interest in Western technology and natural science. Following Cocking’s death, the greenhouse fell into disuse and was largely dismantled, though portions of the original structure survived. In the late 20th century, the site was redeveloped as part of the Enoshima Aquarium complex, and a modern observation tower known as the “Enoshima Sea Candle” was erected nearby. A portion of the original foundation and a commemorative plaque remain, acknowledging Cocking’s role in introducing Western botanical practices to the area.
Cocking’s activities exemplify the involvement of foreign merchants in Japan’s rapid modernization during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the fields of trade, horticulture, and cultural exchange.
