Yoshikien Garden (吉城園) is a traditional Japanese garden located in Nara, Japan. It was originally built in the Edo period (1603-1868) on the former site of Ichijoin Temple, a sub-temple of Kohfukuji Temple, and has been restored several times over the centuries. The garden, now owned and managed by Nara Prefecture, covers an area of approximately 13,400 square meters and consists of three smaller gardens: the “pond garden” (Chisen-kansho-shiki), the “tea ceremony garden” (Roji-teien), and the “dry landscape garden” (Karesansui-teien).
The pond garden features a central pond with a small island called Bentenjima, which has a shrine on it, and is surrounded by a variety of trees and plants, including cherry blossoms, azaleas, and maples. There are also several small bridges and paths that wind through the garden, allowing visitors to explore and appreciate the different perspectives of the scenery.
The tea ceremony garden is designed for the practice of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. It features a small tea house (chashitsu) and a carefully manicured garden with a stone path leading to the tea house. The garden is meant to evoke a sense of tranquility and harmony, with the sound of water flowing in the nearby stream and the rustling of leaves in the breeze.
The dry landscape garden is the largest of the three gardens and is designed to showcase the beauty of the natural landscape using rocks, sand, and gravel. It is meant to be viewed from a seated position and is designed to encourage contemplation and meditation.
Getting there
By Train and Walking
From Kintetsu Nara Station:
- Walk about 10 minutes east along Sanjo-dori Street, then turn left onto Noborioji Street. The garden will be on your right, just past the Nara National Museum.
From JR Nara Station:
- Walk about 20 minutes to the garden. Alternatively, take a bus for a quicker option.
By Bus
From JR Nara Station:
- Take a Nara Kotsu bus (numbers 2, 70, 72, or 97) to the Kencho-higashi bus stop.
- From there, it’s a short walk to the garden entrance.
Nara City Loop Bus:
- Stops at Yamato Bunkakan-mae or Daibutsuden Kasuga-taisha-mae, both within walking distance of the garden.
Details
| Hours | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Reception closes at 4:30 PM. |
| Admission | Free |
| Phone | +81 742-22-5911 |
| Address | 60-1 Noboriojicho, Nara, 630-8213 |
| Resources | https://www.pref.nara.jp/39910.htm |