Kohoen Garden

Kohoen is a stroll-style Japanese garden within Furumine Shrine in Kanuma City, Tochigi Prefecture. Covering approximately 25 acres, the garden draws clear water from the headwaters of the Oashigawa River into its grounds. It was skillfully designed to make use of the natural terrain, with the surrounding mountains serving as borrowed scenery.

The garden features Mine-no-Ike Pond, Mine-no-Taki Waterfall, and other scenic elements, allowing visitors to stroll along the pond and waterways. Different plants bring color to the garden throughout the year: plum and cherry blossoms in spring, azaleas and Japanese irises in early summer, fresh greenery in summer, and colorful foliage in fall. Antique stones placed to blend naturally into the scenery are also scattered throughout the grounds, forming part of the landscape alongside the plants and water.

The garden is also home to the Hosho-an teahouse and Mine-no-Chaya, which serves light meals. At Hosho-an, visitors can enjoy matcha while looking out over the garden, making it a pleasant stop during a stroll. Be sure to check their operating days in advance. Because the garden is located within the grounds of Furumine Shrine, it can easily be visited together with the shrine.