Yoshikien

Yoshikien is a Japanese garden located next to the Xuanzun River (Yoshiki River), which is mentioned in the Manyoshu poetry anthology. The garden was created by skillfully incorporating the undulations and curves of the terrain, and the cedar moss and autumn leaves blend beautifully against the backdrop of Kasuga Mountain and Wakakusa Mountain.

The garden includes the former Shohoin family residence, a modern Japanese-style house built in the Taisho period (1912-1926), and the detached teahouse, a one-story wooden structure with a thatched roof. The teahouse can also be used for tea ceremonies, where visitors can enjoy nodate (tea ceremony).

The east side of the teahouse is a quiet area covered with cedar moss, surrounded by foliage, which adds beautiful colors to the garden with fresh greenery in spring and autumn leaves in fall.

This garden includes a pond garden, moss garden, and tea and flower garden. The pond garden was created using the natural terrain from the Edo period and is integrated with the former Shohoin family residence that stands to the west.

The moss garden is entirely covered with cedar moss, and is integrated with a detached teahouse with a thatched roof, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

It is said that the same underground water vein as that of Tobikino flows beneath the ground, making the land suitable for the growth of cedar moss.

In the chabana garden, seasonal flowers and grasses are planted, creating a simple and moist landscape.

It is said that this site was once home to Manijyuin, a former Kofukuji temple.

In 1919, the present building and garden were constructed as a corporate guest house during the Meiji period (1868-1912), and in 1989, the property was transferred to Nara Prefecture and opened to the public.