Murin-an

Murin-an is the former villa of Yamagata Aritomo, a politician from the Meiji and Taisho periods, constructed between 1894 and 1896. The grounds are marked by sites like the garden, main house, Western-style building, and tea house. The garden was designed by the renowned seventh-generation master gardener Ogawa Jihei. It is the only garden among the villas in the Nanzen-ji area open to the public year-round and has been designated a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government. Daily visitors are limited to better foster the flora and public access, with reservations available via the official website.

The garden features a bright lawn area with borrowed scenery from the Higashiyama mountains and a lively stream fed by water from the Lake Biwa Canal. Yamagata Aritomo's unique aesthetic and creative vision are evident throughout the garden, making it a pioneering example of modern Japanese garden design in Kyoto.

The Western-style building houses panel displays and videos about the garden. The conference room, where the "Murin-an Conference" discussing Meiji government foreign policy took place, is also open to visitors. The garden café offers drinks and sweets, allowing guests to enjoy the view from the same spot Yamagata Aritomo once did.