Yoshikien Garden

This Japanese garden is located near Nara Park, one of Nara’s most popular sightseeing spots, and Todai-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. According to the “Kofuku-ji Old Illustrated Map,” this is said to be the site where Manishuin, a sub-temple of Kofuku-ji Temple, once stood before the Edo period. It took on its current form in 1919 and was opened to the public during the Heisei era.

The vast grounds, covering Approx. 8,900 square meters, consist of three gardens, the Pond Garden, Moss Garden, and Tea Flower Garden, as well as a detached teahouse, creating a splendid landscape that incorporates borrowed scenery from Mount Kasuga and Mount Wakakusa. The three buildings standing within the garden are designated as tangible cultural properties of Nara Prefecture as the “Former Shoboin Family Residence.”

The Pond Garden, centered around Horai Pond, is a strolling pond garden that makes use of changes in elevation. From the small artificial hill, visitors can look out over Mount Kasuga and Mount Wakakusa. The Moss Garden, located on the eastern side of the grounds, features a flat garden covered in Japanese moss. Further in, the Tea Flower Garden appears, where flowers and plants cultivated for tea ceremonies bloom and add color to the scene.

The striking contrast between fallen autumn leaves and moss creates a beautiful scene that is well worth seeing.