Shin'en, Japanese strolling garden at Heian Shrine, Kyoto, Japan
Shin'en is a Japanese strolling garden at Heian Shrine with four sections arranged around the main shrine building, featuring ponds, flowing water, and varied plantings. The garden incorporates flowing water from the Biwa Canal that moves through naturally composed areas, creating distinct landscape zones.
The garden took shape in the late 1800s when landscape architect Jihei Ogawa VII designed its initial sections. A third area was added in the early 1900s, expanding the space into the comprehensive design visitors experience today.
The garden embodies traditional Japanese design principles with carefully arranged stones, water features, and plants that work together to create balance. Visitors can see how different sections represent distinct landscapes and how people move through the space to connect with nature.
The garden is best explored on foot by following the paths around the ponds and water features to see all four areas. It helps to walk slowly and view the landscape from different angles, as each vantage point reveals different perspectives.
The garden contains four sections named after cardinal directions, each with its own distinct character and design composition. This arrangement lets visitors experience different Japanese landscape styles within a single location.
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