Yoshimizu-en Garden

Built in 1781 as a mountain retreat by Sasaki Hachiemonmasato, head of a prominent iron-industry family, Yoshimizu-en is a circular stroll garden with a central pond and a 1782 teahouse with tatami mezzanine views across the water. The current design reflects a Kyoto landscape gardener's work from 1788 to 1807. The garden is privately owned by the Kake Sumiya family and opens to the public just four days each season. The June opening is particularly notable: rare forest tree frogs, designated a Hiroshima Prefecture Natural Monument, gather on overhanging branches to lay eggs in foam sacs that drop tadpoles into the pond below.