This garden was my favorite place to see in Nara. It is about as nice a Japanese garden experience as you can possibly get. And it is free! Best to come here alone, at a time with little crowds, and use the opportunity to meditate on life, nature, or anything else...

Really loved this peaceful garden. And it’s free! Much less crowded than other areas of Nara Park. @endlessdistances

Pretty garden next to Isuen which seems to be free to foreigners if you show your passport. They have three gardens. A pond, moss and flower arranging garden. The first two are nice any time of year, the latter in the warmer seasons. Costs 250 yen for locals.

Beautiful estate that’s free to enter. The place is like a peek to the past where people are so rich that you can have a separate building just to have tea in. 🧐 the tea house is pretty amazing though and would totally want to have tea there. The other highlight is the moss garden where the lawn is just specialty moss that’s soft to the touch.

Surprisingly bigger than I thought, it has 3 gardens. Free entrance, it’s hard to navigate from the Main Street it doesn’t have an obvious entrance, there’s another garden next door with entrance fees, makes sure you go through the right gate into this park. Worth detouring even during winter as they still have a lot of greenery l, expect 15min to explore the area.

(Trip was made back then on 21 Nov 2019, 2 years before the Covid-19 Pandemic hit) This was one of the must-go places on the itinerary during my autumn vacation to Kansai region back in Nov 2019 (in fact it is exactly 2 years ago today) and I’m very glad that I went. The beautiful autumn foliage blending with the greenery while acting as a warm background to the wooden tea house architecture. Would never forget the sassy but helpful senior staff manning the entrance, who informed us that there was an entry fee but tourists can enter for free if they show their passport.

Very picturesque. There’s a small hut on a mini hill just a few steps up where you can rest and take pictures. There are no lines here since the entrance is quite hard to notice and most people are drawn to the museum beside it. Entrance is free of charge. There’s really nothing much to do here but walk and take pictures but the view is worth it.

A small but beautiful garden worth seeing if you are visiting Nara. It’s less than a 10 minute walk from Nara park and is free for all visitors. They recommend entering by 4:30 pm as the garden is only open until 5pm. I can only imagine how beautiful the scenery is in the spring and fall! I visited around 4:15 pm and was one of maybe 4 people in the garden at the time, which was so quiet and peaceful.

This is a hidden gem in Nara. Free admission for a Zen Garden that is truly spectacular. It’s away from the Todaiji so not too many tourists, and it does feature a closed gate so you might pass by it without daring to enter. However, the public is welcome and you can tell the gardeners here take a lot of pride in their work. It’s absolutely wonderful here and you’ll have to take a look at the pictures. There’s about four major areas, and you can speedwalk in and out within 10 minutes, but I would spend about 30 here just enjoying all the details. There’s also a tea house here but I didn’t go in so I can’t review it.

Beautiful garden where you can stroll around at your own pace and be in the peaceful nature. Next door to the more popular Ishuien garden but this place was free entry unlike its neighbour. I really would recommend to those on a budget and still seeking the serenity of a traditional Japanese garden.

Small sized garden but you can probably spend about 30 minutes here. It’s pretty quiet, things are a bit messy and less organised but that made it more natural. It’s free and clean.

This is my second visit and after almost five (5) years the garden still looks great. You can always pass by the garden in case you have free time especially after visiting Nara temple and park nothing that the garden admission is free. The garden itself is well maintained and provides fresh air and relaxing atmosphere as well as many spots to just sit back and enjoy the view.

Yoshikien Garden: Exploring the Tranquil Beauty of Nara, Japan Yoshikien Garden, located in Nara, Japan, is a hidden gem that offers visitors a serene and enchanting escape into the world of traditional Japanese gardens. This meticulously landscaped garden spans three unique styles within its grounds, each reflecting a different aspect of Japanese garden design. With its historical significance, stunning landscapes, and seasonal charm, Yoshikien Garden is a must-visit destination for those seeking a deeper connection with nature and Japanese culture. 1. Historical Significance: Yoshikien Garden has a rich history dating back to the Edo period (1603-1868). It was originally established by the Yamato Koriyama Domain as a private garden. Over the centuries, it has been carefully preserved, and in 1919, it was opened to the public. The garden is now designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government. 2. Three Garden Styles: One of the most remarkable features of Yoshikien Garden is the presence of three distinct garden styles: a pond garden, a moss garden, and a tea ceremony garden. These styles reflect various aspects of Japanese garden design and can be explored in one serene location. - The Pond Garden: The largest section of the garden features a central pond surrounded by elegant bridges and lush greenery. The pond is home to colorful koi fish and is bordered by carefully pruned trees and shrubs, creating a peaceful and reflective atmosphere. - The Moss Garden: This garden is renowned for its dense, vibrant green moss covering the ground, creating a unique and ethereal landscape. The softness of the moss contrasts beautifully with the rough stone lanterns and stepping stones. - The Tea Ceremony Garden: The smallest of the three, this garden is designed for traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. It features carefully raked gravel and a simple teahouse, offering a tranquil setting for this cultural practice. 3. Seasonal Beauty: Yoshikien Garden transforms with the seasons, making it a destination worth visiting year-round. In spring, cherry blossoms (sakura) bloom, creating a breathtaking sight, and many visitors enjoy hanami (flower viewing) picnics under the cherry trees. In autumn, the garden's maple trees burst into brilliant reds and oranges, making it a popular spot for momijigari (leaf peeping). Even in winter, the garden's serene ambiance and evergreen trees provide a peaceful retreat. 4. Teahouse and Cultural Experiences: The tea ceremony garden at Yoshikien features a traditional Japanese teahouse where visitors can experience the art of tea preparation and enjoy a cup of matcha (green tea). This provides a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in Japanese culture and tradition. 5. Accessibility and Location: Yoshikien Garden is conveniently located near Nara's main tourist areas, such as Nara Park and Todai-ji Temple, making it a perfect addition to your Nara itinerary. Its central location ensures that it's easily accessible by foot or a short bus ride from Nara Station. 6. Cultural Significance: The garden's integration of historical and cultural elements provides visitors with a deeper understanding of Japan's appreciation for nature and its rich cultural traditions. It's a place where visitors can experience the aesthetics and philosophy of Japanese gardening firsthand. Yoshikien Garden in Nara, Japan, is a place where history, culture, and nature converge to create a harmonious and serene environment. With its three unique garden styles, seasonal beauty, and cultural experiences, it provides a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the rich tapestry of Japanese tradition and aesthetics. A visit to Yoshikien Garden is not just a sightseeing experience but a journey into the heart of Japan's profound appreciation for beauty and tranquility.

This is one of the best gardens without any fee. It is well maintained, and the environment is beautiful. It is a luck that not many people know this garden and it is continent also as you can go to Todaiji without a minute after you walk through the whole garden

A good option to the over priced park next to this one. Nice tea house and paths. Went there before the blooming season but should be more beautiful in 1-2 months. This park is for free!

Impressively beautiful garden for free! When strolling though the garden you can see the neighboring garden as well, which doesn't look better but has an entrance fee. The main view is the small building at the water. Good views from the hill if you like to enjoy the scenery. During my visit some workers took care of the weeds in the garden, so I didn't take too many pics. Although Nara is full of nature, I always enjoy the peaceful Japanese gardens and like to visit them.

A lovely peaceful garden, totally free and easy to find. Visiting in late October, there were no flowers anymore and it was too early for autumn foliage. But the well-kept moss and cute paths were nice to see, and the rest spots were well placed. Overall nothing amazed me, but I had an enjoyable time. There was a tour group visiting though, which didn't quite match the zen atmosphere.

The first area is insanely pretty. Would also recommend going to Isuien garden right next to this.

incredibly beautiful garden (even in february), especially in the afternoon light — i was very surprised to see so few people here. it’s free!!! check this place out if you want a break from the crowds and deer in nara

beautiful and peaceful Japanese garden, good for ppl who love nature.

Beautiful garden..free admission. Must place to visit when arrive at nara park

Pretty garden. Free entry. Worth a visit

Amazing secret garden. Brilliant autumn colours. No people and old historical tea houses with moss gardens.

I strongly recommend here for anybody visiting Nara. It is free for foreign visitor so thats good for us. They were beautiful.

Free entry for overseas tourists. This is an ideal place to visit when you’ve got temple fatigue or want to escape from the marauding bands of deer that patrol Nara Park.

This place is beautiful, so many flowers, plants, tree and there's a traditional Japanese house. Admission free for overseas tourist. You can enjoy the green view. Too bad when I was there, moss garden still on progress. Anw, wear a shoes for sports, don't wear heels. It would be easier to walk around with sneaker. There's also toilet inside. Worth going if you are around Nara.

Wonderful garden - a place to rest and relax. Three different parts to discover. And a teahouse to see and also have tea ceremony in. We discovered the place 5 years ago and put it straight on the list of places to discover for the return visit with family.

Entrance is free for foreigners - you need to show a passport. There are three gardens inside Yoshiki-en - the pond garden, the moss garden and the tee ceremony garden... probably the best one is the pond garden. The flower garden had no flowers in June 2018. The moss garden is nice and tranquil. The paths are covered in gravels and stepping stones in some places. You will receive a printed map so you can orient yourself. It takes about 20-30 minutes at a very relaxing pace to explore it all. Just nearby its entry is another garden much bigger which charges 900 jpy for the entrance fee.

Lovely, serene, beautiful gardens. Foreigners get free admission when showing passport. A calm serene oasis. The tea ceremony room is only for reservations by groups /parties though.

The Garden is breath takingly beautiful and has really cool history. A English speaking guide was able to give a tour through the front garden and explain what different things in the garden represents. Which made me appreciate the Garden even more.