The Gyokusen-ji Garden was created in the 1450s and improved in the 1650s. This is a Horai-style garden with a path around a large pond in the middle. There is a waterfall which flows from a natural mountain. Pure stands of Japanese primrose (Primula japonica) grow in the garden, which are very rare, even in Japan. It was designated as a Cultural Property and Scenic Site of Japan in 1987.
cultural property : historic sites and places of scenic beauty as natural monuments
type : places of scenic beauty
35, Haguromachi Tamagawa, Tsuruoka-shi, Yamagata-ken 997-0121
Tel：0235-62-2746
Gyokusen-ji is located at the northwest base of the Three Mountains of Dewa and it is told that it was founded in 1251 during the Kamakura Period by Ryonen Homyo, a Zen monk who was the leading pupil of Dogen Zenji (a Zen master) who was a founder of the Soto sect. The garden was created in 1450 during the Muromachi Period and improved in 1650 during the Edo Period. This is a Horai-style garden with a path around a large pond in the middle. The waterfall is designed to flow into the garden from a natural mountain. There are many stone arrangements around the pond and shrubs that are trimmed in a round shape are planted without any gaps between the stones. The soil around the stepping stones is mossy which adds elegance to the garden’s scenery. This garden is also called the “temple of Japanese primrose” because of its pure stands, which are very rare, even in Japan.