Isuien Garden

Overview

Isuien is Nara's most exquisite Japanese garden, composed of two distinct sections created in different eras. It masterfully employs the technique of shakkei (borrowed scenery), incorporating the roof of Todai-ji's Great Buddha Hall and the slopes of Mount Wakakusa into its composition.

Highlights

• Borrowed Scenery: The rear garden's borrowed views of Todai-ji and Mount Wakakusa are among the finest examples of shakkei in Japan, seamlessly blending garden and distant landscape.
• Front Garden: Dating from the 17th century, this intimate Edo-period garden features stepping stones, a water mill, and dense plantings around a central pond.
• Neiraku Museum: Located within the garden grounds, this small museum houses a collection of Chinese and Korean ceramics and bronzes.

History

The front garden was built in the 1670s by a wealthy Nara cloth merchant. The rear garden was added in 1899 by a Kobe businessman who purchased the property. The name "Isuien" means "Garden of Ponds" and refers to the water features central to both gardens.

Visitor Tips

• Tea House: The garden includes a tea house where you can enjoy matcha and sweets while overlooking the pond — highly recommended.
• Photography: The clearest borrowed scenery views occur on crisp autumn or winter mornings when Todai-ji's roof is sharply visible.
• Duration: 30–45 minutes.