Koguen Japanese Garden

Koguen Japanese Garden is one of the most beautiful Japanese gardens in Nara, Japan. By taking a look at this temple garden we can explore the history and get ideas for our own serene garden.

In Katsuragi city, Nara there is the Koguen Japanese Garden at Taimadera temple, Nakanobo, which is one of the ‘Three Most Scenic Gardens in Yamato’ (ancient word for Nara).

Let me introduce you to the Koguen Japanese garden of Nakanobo, where I was ordained a Shingon Buddhist monk and spent countless hours helping to maintain this historic garden. My father put together this video and edited in my shakuhachi music from the CD Kurofune.

Kyoto by far has the most high quality gardens, but other areas such as Nara, or a trip to Koyasan, will also provide you with hours of Japanese temple garden exploration and give you a good taste of Japanese culture.

The Garden Style

The Koguen Japanese garden at Nakanobo is both designed in the Chisen Kaiyuu Style (a style of garden built around a pond) and the Chisen Kanshou Style (a style of garden for viewing a pond). It has been hailed as one of the Three Scenic Gardens in Yamato (along with Chikurin-in and Jikou-in).

History

It originated in the Kamakura Era, and it was completed in the Momoyama Era. Later it was refurbished by Sekishu Katagiri (the founder of the Japanese Tea Ceremony Sekishu School) in the Edo Era to welcome Emperor Go-Sai (the 111th). The garden is divided in two layers with extremely low mud walls, and the three-storied pagoda from the Tenpyo Era standing out in the background with its shadow reflecting on the Shinji Pond (a pond with a shape of Chinese characters representing Kokoro, or heart/mind.)

Based upon its historical and seasonal scenic beauty, in 1934 the Japanese garden at Nakanobo received the governmental designation to preserve its historical value and scenic beauty.

It is one of the best gardens in Nara and I highly recommend visiting this Japanese temple. Enjoy some Japanese green tea while you relax and look over the pond and waterfall. No matter the season, the Japanese maples provide a wide variety of color along with the sakura cherry trees blooming in April.

In the background stands an ever-present tall pagoda amidst a bamboo forest, completing this serene garden. You won’t be disappointed if you put the Koguen Japanese garden on your list of places to travel if you are in the Nara, Kyoto, or Osaka area.

Kurofune CD
Visit the Main Japanese Gardens Page to Explore Other Gardens