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Isuien Garden, Nara

4.3
#2 of 20 in Parks in Nara
Garden · Hidden Gem · Nature / Park
Enjoy tea on tatami under the thatched roofs of Isuien Garden, admiring unparalleled panoramic views of an attractively manicured landscape next to Yoshikigawa River. Originally built in 1670, with Edo-period additions, this privately owned garden spans roughly 13,500 sq m (145,000 sq ft), and remains the only walking garden in Nara. The central pond features two islands with sculptures of a crane and a tortoise, representing longevity. You can visit the Neiraku Museum within the complex, featuring a collection of early East Asian art. Located in central Nara, the garden sits a 15-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara station. See Isuien Garden and all Nara has to offer by arranging your trip with our Nara online journey planner.
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Tours to Isuien Garden

FROM $331 BOOK WITH VIATOR Nara Day Trip from Osaka with a Local: Private & Personalized
Duration: 9 hours
Tours from $331 »
FROM $136 BOOK WITH VIATOR Nara private tour from Osaka (Shore excursion available from Osaka or Kobe port)
Duration: 8 hours
Tours from $136 »
FROM $124 BOOK WITH VIATOR Nara Full-Day Private Tour Osaka/Kyoto departure with Nationally-Licensed Guide
Duration: 6 hours
Tours from $124 »

Isuien Garden reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
486 reviews
Google
4.4
TripAdvisor
  • By Rumples
    We visited this Japanese strolling garden during early October 2019 and felt as if we had entered a series of paintings, because of the beautiful scenes. They ranged from water features, reflecting...  more »
  • By Kai C
    A large garden, as Japanese gardens go, and divided into an "outer" and "inner" side. The garden and associated tea ceremony huts have been popular with Urasenke masters, and rich merchants...  more »
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Google
  • By Jade Symons
    A stunning garden in the popular city of Nara. Escape the crowds of tourists and lose yourself amongst the perfectly manicured gardens in this little slice of paradise. There is an entrance fee, but it’s well worth it to see this traditional Japanese garden.
  • By Scott Smith
    The most beautiful garden we visited on our 2 week japan holiday. Was even more enjoyable with the free personal guide provided. Entry cost was around 900 yen but well worth it. You won’t find this as a highlight in most guide books but it is a hidden gem which must be seen if you are a fan of botanical gardens
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