Former Chikurin-in Garden, Japanese strolling garden in Sakamoto, Japan.
The Former Chikurin-in Garden is a Japanese strolling landscape with water channels from the Omiya River, artificial hills, and stone decorations. The grounds include two teahouses and an elevated pavilion that shape the visitor's journey through the space.
The site began in 1592 as a retreat for monks of Enryakuji Temple in the surrounding hills. Following the Meiji period, it opened as a public destination for the broader community.
The teahouses within the grounds display traditional wooden construction with subtle ornamentation, inviting visitors to linger and appreciate the space. These structures and the elevated pavilion represent how Japanese architecture adapts to garden environments.
The garden is open daily except Mondays and sits near train stations, making it easy to reach by public transport. Visitors should expect uneven paths and hills throughout the grounds, so comfortable footwear is recommended.
The small teahouse features an unusual seating layout where the host sits at the center while guests arrange themselves in a circle facing inward. This specific room arrangement is rarely found in other teahouses.
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