The south end of Kyoto's Imperial Palace Park is marked by a beautiful pond garden noted for its bird life. The area was once the estate of the Kujo family, which acquired it in the early years of the eighteenth century. Although the date of the pond itself is difficult to determine, its principal architectural features date to the Edo Period (the exception is a small shrine constructed by Taira Kiyomori in the twelfth century). On the western shore of the pond stands the Shusuitei tea house constructed by the Kujo family, its veranda providing the best view of the garden. The bridge spanning the pond from north to south is also an Edo Period structure, its pillars once having supported the old Gojo Bridge spanning the Kamo River. From the north end of the Shusuitei bridge one enjoys a dramatic view of the southern gateway of the Imperial Palace.