懐徳館庭園, Historic garden at University of Tokyo, Japan.
Kaitokukan Garden is a private garden on the University of Tokyo campus featuring dry stream arrangements, stone sculptures, and lanterns spread across approximately 6,600 square meters. The composition uses rock formations and structured layouts that guide visitors through the space.
Built in 1910 by master gardener Hikouemon Ito for the Maeda family from the former Kaga region, the garden was given to the University of Tokyo in 1926. It has remained on the campus since then, available to the public on rare occasions.
The name reflects the Kaitokukan academy that influenced its design philosophy. Visitors can observe how carefully placed stones and plant arrangements follow the principles of dry garden aesthetics that define Japanese garden tradition.
The garden is located in the Bunkyo district and opens to visitors only once yearly during the University of Tokyo Homecoming Day in mid-October. Plan your visit in advance since access is limited and depends on campus schedules.
Stone lanterns within the garden bear the Maeda family crest, a rare detail preserving the site's original aristocratic connection. The north-facing artificial waterfall formation connects to a dry pond, creating an unexpected interplay between real water and stone abstractions.
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