Yoshikien Garden is a strolling traditional Japanese style garden located in Nara. The garden was established during the Meiji Period. It was built on the former priest’s residences in Kofukuji Temple. For many years the garden was unavailable for public viewing that is until 1989 when the prefectural government decided to open it to the masses. The garden is named after the Yoshikigawa River that runs through it, and consists of a pond garden, moss garden, and a tea flower garden. The pond garden incorporates traditional garden architectural styles dating back to the Edo Period. Yoshikien Garden has a contrast of the moss forming a beautiful carpet beneath the trees and seasonal flowers to be viewed all year around. Foreigners are free to stroll around the garden that is located in the center of Nara.
