East Palace Garden Nara
The East Palace Garden, Nara Period garden in the grounds of the Nara Palace Site was excavated in 1967 and completely reconstructed by 1998.
East Palace Garden, Nara 東院庭園
East Palace Garden is a Japanese strolling garden on the south eastern side of the Nara Palace Site in Nara. The area was excavated in 1967 and completely reconstructed in preparation for opening in 1998.
East Palace Garden, Nara Palace Site, Nara
East Palace Garden, Nara
History of East Palace Garden
The East Palace Garden (Toin Teien) measures 100 meters from north to south and 80 meters from east to west.
It is believed the garden was first laid out in Chinese style at the beginning of the Nara Period and then modified in a Japanese style at the end of that era.
East Palace Garden, Nara
East Palace Garden, Nara
East Palace Garden Layout
The East Palace Garden (Toin Teien) consists of a number of pavilions in both Chinese and Japanese style around a curvilinear-shaped pond as well as reconstructed parts of the offices of the Imperial Household Agency (Kunaicho).
The buildings and both flat and arched bridges are painted in a vermilion color similar to that used in Shinto shrines.
The pond, which resembles an inverted "L-shape" has a number of stone inlets and peninsulas and has a pebble-lined bottom. On the north shore of the lake is a small artificial hill with an arrangement of stones.
The Jeweled Hall of the East Palace built on the orders of the Empress Shotoku once stood here and was used for imperial banquets. A meandering stone-paved stream (kyokusui) that has been recreated may have been the location for a type of banquet where participants compose a poem before a cup of sake floated on the stream reaches them and which they then drink.
The garden is planted with a number of trees and plants thought to have been used in the original garden: cypress, plum, peach, willow, cherry, and camellia among them.
East Palace Garden, Nara
Access - how to get to East Palace Garden, Nara
Nara Palace Site
Sakicho, Nara
Nara Prefecture 630-8577
Tel: 0742 30 6753
Hours: 9 am-4.30 pm; closed Monday or the next day if Monday is a public holiday.
The eastern side of the Nara Palace Site is close to both Hokkeji and Kairyuoji temples.
Nara Palace Site is a 20 minute walk east from Yamato-Saidaiji Station just two stops from Kintetsu Nara Station.
By bus from JR Nara Station and Kintetsu Nara Station take one of buses #12 or #14 to Sakicho bus stop for the Daigokuden Hall. Alternatively take a #160 bus from either station to Nijo-oji Minami Yon-chome for Suzakumon or a #70, #72 or #97 bus, again from either Kintetsu Nara Station or JR Nara Station to Sanjo-oji Yon-chome and walk about 400 meters north to Suzakumon.
Tourist Information Center
Nara City Tourist Information Office
Tel: 0742 24 4858
Kintetsu Nara Station
East Palace Garden, Nara
