Fascinating Garden
Culture Experience

We provide a special reception just for you customized to your requests. After deducting this plan’s expenses, any remaining profit is invested in the garden’s maintenance expenses.

Plan name

Feeling the Skills and Spirit of the Gardener in a Japanese Garden A special reception of enjoying the tea ceremony and Buddhist cuisine in a traditional Japanese drawing room (shoin) and teahouse normally closed to the public.

Available languages

English/Japanese

Minimum number of participants

2 people *Program may be canceled in the event of fewer than two participants.

Content

・A guided tour (+English interpretation) of Shosei-en Garden
・An explanation of biodiversity-oriented garden management and a pruning demonstration by the dedicated gardener for Shosei-en Garden: Nationally Designated Place of Scenic Beauty
・Exclusively reserved spaces normally closed to the public, including a traditional drawing room, a teahouse, and the historical remains of a boat wharf
・An explanation of Japanese literati garden taste and a serving of tea and sweets
・Buddhist cuisine served with an explanation
・An explanation and experience of how Japanese people enjoyed boat rides during the late Edo period

Basic fee

*Includes entry to Shosei-en Garden, exclusive reserved spaces normally closed to the public (traditional drawing room or teahouse, gardener guided tour & pruning demonstration, Japanese boat experience, Green tea, Japanese sweets, Buddhist cuisine)

Options

*Please contact us about prices

・A tour of a traditional Japanese drawing room (shoin) normally closed to the public by a monk from Higashi Hongan-ji Temple
・Morning worship (7:00-7:30 AM)
・Exclusive reservation of Shosei-en Garden prior to opening (8:00-9:00 AM)
・Hachi-niwa (bowl garden) creation
・Tebōki (hand broom) creation and garden cleaning experience
・Chanoyu or Sencha-do tea ceremony

Date

Please contact us at least two weeks in advance of your preferred date.

Cancelation fee

3 days prior to rental: 50%／On the day(or no contact): 100%

Information for the Standard Plan

Duration: approx. 3 hours *Can be adjusted upon request
Fee: ￥110,000~ per person (including tax / English translation)
Minimum Number of Participants: 2 people

An example of a private plan at the tea house "Ro-an"(closed to the public)

11:00 a.m.:
Shosei-en’s head gardener and English-speaking garden concierge will welcome you at the Shoseien reception desk (West gate).
The guides will show you the 370-year-old garden’s scenic points, history, and the daily cultivation and management of the garden in consideration of biodiversity. The tour will also include a pruning demonstration by the head gardener and 'Ofune'(Japanese-style pleasure boats) experience.

12:00 p.m.:
Private use of the two-story tea house "Ro-an"
Enjoy a Buddhist cuisine(vegetarian) on the first floor of Ro-an with a view of the the tea garden.

1:00 p.m.:
Tea served in the tea room on the second floor of Ro-an
Enjoy Gyokuro or Matcha and Japanese seasonal sweets with the view from the second-floor of tea house which is rarely found.

2:00 p.m.:
Plan ends

Notes

*The time will be arranged according to your request.
*You are free to continue strolling around the garden after the tour ends.
*The use of Rinchitei or Tekisuiken(closed to the public), is available upon request.
*We recommend the use of Rinchitei or Tekisuiken for parties of 5 or more.
*We can also add additional drinks and alcoholic beverages for an additional charge.
*If requested, you can wear a gardener's traditional happi coat for a commemorative photo.
*Photography is allowed inside the building and in the garden. Please be careful not to take the picture of other guests’ face.