Sankeien Garden

Sankeien Garden is a vast 175,000-square-meter garden with 17 Japanese architectural structures.

The garden is designated as a national place of scenic beauty, and 10 buildings, 12 of which were relocated, are designated as national important cultural properties.
The original relocated buildings are 5 in Kyoto, 3 in Wakayama, 2 in Kanagawa, 1 in Gifu, and 1 in Tokyo.

The buildings of high historical value, such as the former Kishu Tokugawa clan’s villa built in 1649, the Gekkadono of Mimuroto-ji Temple Kinzoin in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, built in 1603, the former Tenzui-ji Temple’s Jutou covered hall said to have been built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1591 to celebrate his mother’s longevity, and a Gassho style house in Shirakawa-go were moved to the new site, taking advantage of its undulating terrain, and arranged to blend in with the garden. The garden is arranged to harmonize with the garden.

The garden was created in 1906 by Hara Tomitaro, a businessman and tea master. The name Sankeien comes from Sankei, the name of Hara Tomitaro.

Known for its plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, azaleas, and autumnal foliage, the garden is also popular among foreigners.