The Shoseien Garden, popularly known as Kikokutei Hall Garden, is currently part of the Higashihongan-ji Temple (although separated from it physically). Its landscaping is attributed to Ishikawa Jozan and Kobori Enshu and dates to the Edo Period, but the large pond may originally have been part of the Heian estate of Minamoto no Toru, younger son of the Emperor Saga. It is one of a number of such Kyoto ponds that are all that remain of the great gardens of the Heian aristocracy. Choose a view point from the map or click Tour the Garden for more views of this garden.
The Shoseien Garden, popularly known as Kikokutei Hall Garden, is currently part of the Higashihongan-ji Temple (although separated from it physically). Its landscaping is attributed to Ishikawa Jozan and Kobori Enshu and dates to the Edo Period, but the large pond may originally have been part of the Heian estate of Minamoto no Toru, younger son of the Emperor Saga. It is one of a number of such ponds that are all that remain of the great gardens of the Heian aristocracy. Located today in one of the busiest quarters of Kyoto and only minutes from the city's transportation hub, Shoseien is a welcome refuge from the world that lies just beyond its gates.
