Suizenji Joju-en

Just as famous as Kumamoto Castle, this park in Kumamoto is a well-known must-see spot. The Momoyama-style chisen-kaiyushiki garden with a pond in the middle and walking paths surrounding the pond covers 73,000 square meters and has been a favorite for Kumamoto residents for hundreds of years. The park originated with a teahouse, Suizenji-chaya, in Kan’ei 9 [1632] built by the first lord of the region, Hosokawa Tadatoshi. The third lord of the region, Hosokawa Tsunatoshi combined the teahouse with the surrounding land and led to the park as you see it today.
Water from Mt. Aso, through a subterranean river flows into the pond in the garden and throughout the garden are mounds, carved shrubs and pines, and manicured lawns said to depict the famous 53 Tokaido stops.
On the north side of the park is Izumi Shrine where many of the Hosokawa-clan lords are buried, and the Kokidenju-no-ma, a built in Kyoto over 400 years ago was given to the Hosokawa family and relocated here in 1912. Located alongside the pond is today it is used as a teahouse where Japanese tea and sweets are served.