Shoyoen Garden

Shoyoen Garden dates to the mid-seventeenth century, originally the private retreat of imperial prince Shucho, head monk of Rinnoji Temple. He designed it to evoke Lake Biwa near Kyoto, where he spent his childhood, incorporating views of distant Mt. Nantai and stones collected from Nikko's rivers and mountains. Ulysses S. Grant visited in 1871 during his world tour after the presidency. Autumn is when the garden is at its most compelling, with maple leaves turning above the carefully arranged ponds and pathways. It is a calmer and less crowded complement to the ornate shrines nearby.