Yoshikien Garden is easy to access, being right in the centre of the historic town of Nara and very close to the famous Todaji and Kofukuji Temples and Isuien Gardens, which is just across the Yoshiki river.

Created on the site of a former priest's residence, Yoshikien gardens was largely laid out in the late 19th century and was transferred to public ownership in the 1980s.

This is a compact but very pretty central city gardens that is made up of three areas - #1. The Pond Garden, #2. The Moss Garden, #3. The Tea-House Garden

Due to its classical Japanese garden design that relies more upon shape and texture than floral displays, this is a place that is a delight to visit any time of year - though autumn is without doubt the most spectacular as the deciduous trees turn to 'golden fire' shades of reds, oranges and yellows.

Throughout the gardens are small wooden buildings, like the detatched tea-house in the Moss Garden and a small thatched hut, along with a few gazebos to rest and take in the views and restful atmosphere.

Moss is a dominant plant form that is rendered even more attractive in autumn as the fallen leaves scatter across the lush green carpets or float upon the still waters of the pond.

Stone lanterns and stepping stones all help focus the visitor's gaze while cobbled pathways wind up and down over the undulating landscape.

This is not a large garden and is easy to get around for the averagely mobile visitor, though wheelchairs would have difficulty on many of the cobbled pathways.