Suizen-ji Joju-en Garden, where you can enjoy a relaxing stroll while viewing the excursion garden with a beautiful balance between the pond where Aso's underground water gushes out and greenery. While situated in the center of Kumamoto City, where cars and trains come and go, it is a restful spot that makes you forget about the noisiness of the city. Full of things to see, this garden features matchmaking trees and benches, and it is secretly gathering attention in recent years as the Garden of Love Fulfillment. Again, we explored ways to appreciate it.

• Suizen-ji Joju-en Garden
• Kokin Denju-no-ma
• MuzoCafe

Creation of the garden began in the time of Lord Tadatoshi Hosokawa, the first feudal lord of Kumamoto, and it was completed at its current scale under the third feudal lord, Lord Tsunatoshi. It was titled Suizen-ji Joju-en. This garden was beloved by the rulers of Kumamoto through many generations, and in 1929 it was designated as a scenic spot and historic site. Throughout the year, there are a variety of events coordinated with the local community including the Suizen-ji Festival in March and Yukata Month in August, and it bustles with numerous tourists.

It takes around 30-40 minutes to walk around the garden. Places such as Izumi Shrine, Nogakuden, and a monument to Soseki Natsume are scattered around the garden, and the garden presents a stunning spectacle colored by plum trees, cherry trees, and pine trees.

In the garden, the giant nagi (Nageia nagi; a kind of conifer) tree is famous as a matchmaking tree, and a matchmaking bench is placed beside it. The photo is of the appearance during a light-up for an event.

The torii gate in front of Izumi Shrine was destroyed in the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. In August 2020, it was rebuilt using a kind of cypress called nangohi.

Within the Izumi Shrine compound, there is the sacred water "Water of Long Life". We recommend drinking this hard volcanic water from Aso and praying for good health.

When visiting Izumi Shrine, check out the the matchmaking amulets (500 yen each) or the Hosokawa Garasha Goshuin Book (1500 yen)
 

Inside Suizen-ji Joju-en Garden, the Kokin Denju-no-ma is a spot where you can enjoy matcha tea and sweets while appreciating the stunning view of the garden. This building is said to have been used by Lord Yusai Hosokawa, who was active in the Sengoku period, to teach the secrets to interpreting the Kokin Wakashu (A famous collection of traditional Japanese poems from the Heian period), and it was relocated from Kyoto to its current location. It has been designated as Prefectural Important Cultural Property. It is also a place where you can enjoy a relaxing tea time while feeling the remnant of history from about 400 years ago.

Kokin Denju-no-ma, used as a place of study by Prince Toshihito Hachijonomiya. The building that was located in the Imperial Gardens of Kyoto was relocated, and extensive repairs were carried out in 2010.

From the tatami room, you can view the stunning garden, and many people also come for the matcha tea and sweets.

How about matcha tea and sweets for a relaxing time? You can enjoy for 650 yen in the tatami room, or 550 sitting on Western chairs. On the right side of the photo is pictured Kase-ita, a famous sweet passed down from the Hosokawa Clan.

Visible immediately on the right after entering Suizen-ji Joju-en Garden from the main entrance

Among the shops of Sando Shopping Street, which features souvenier shops, MuzoCafe has drawn attention as a spot for posting on social media. Besides the cafe menu, gifts called super flowers made out of paper are on display, attracting tourists with their exciting and gorgeous worldview. Events based on the theme of "Suizen-ji in Love" that will animate the whole of Sando are also in the works.

If you order from the drink menu, it will be served with cute straws with beards or lips. Flower straws cost a separate charge of 300 yen.
*Currently, due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, only the take-out menu is available (As of January 18, 2021)

Besides the interior goods for deodorizing or color therapy, don't miss the original goods such as accessories (including for pets)

Next to the cafe, super flower handmaking experiences are available (from 1000 yen/30 minutes). For questions, please contact the Super Flower Association (Phone: 096-285-7082)

When visiting the cafe, we also recommend taking a memorial photo while holding a super flower. There's no doubt that it will look good on social media!

Known affectionately by the name of Suizen-ji Park, Suizen-ji Joju-en Garden is a must-see when visiting Kumamoto City as a tourist. An elegant stroll in the garden, and a fun time in Sando Shopping Street. Don't miss the love-related spots or events.

*There is a possibility of emergency closure or change in business hours, so please check business hours directly with shops before going out.