Shūheki-en, Kyoto — Japan Gems

Shūheki-en

聚碧園

This garden is best viewed from indoors, offering a panorama of pond, islands, and stone lanterns.

What it is

Garden designed to be viewed from a sitting position indoors.

Redesigned by tea ceremony master Kanamori Sowa during Edo period.

Means "the Garden That Gathers Green".

What to see

Pond with small islands and a low hill.

Stone pagoda partway up the slope.

Panorama of garden from tatami mats in Kyakuden Hall.

Pond, islands, and stone lanterns framed by wooden veranda.

View over Ohara valley through a "borrowed landscape" window.

Sweeping maple trees.

When to go

Autumn for the most beautiful maple trees.

In detail

Unlike Yusei-en Garden, Shuheki-en Garden is meant to be viewed from a sitting position indoors. The garden features a pond with a number of small islands and a low hill. A stone pagoda stands partway up the slope. The optimal location for admiring the garden and the landscape is from a seated position on the tatami mats toward the back of Kyakuden Hall, the guest hall that was formerly the residence of the temple abbots. This spot provides a panorama of the garden with a full view of the pond, islands, and stone lanterns framed by the wooden veranda. A window also includes a clear view over the valley of Ohara through a design technique known as a “borrowed landscape.”

Sanzen-in Temple was established between 782 and 806, though it is not known who first designed the garden. Records do show, however, that Kanamori Sowa (1584–1657), a tea ceremony master, redesigned the garden during the Edo period (1603–1868).

Shuheki-en means “the Garden That Gathers Green,” though its sweeping maple trees are at their most beautiful in the autumn. The placement of rocks, landscaping, and water features are also key features for visitors to enjoy while sampling green tea and traditional Japanese sweets in Kyakuden Hall.