Kyoyochi pond
A strolling garden with flowers blooming all year round
  The Kyoyochi Pond covers a vast area, accounting for about half of the southern part of the temple grounds. It is said that the court nobles used the pond for boat excursions in the Heian Period. For successive generations, each head priest of the temple planted many different plants around the pond, so now you can see cherry blossoms in the spring and maple leaves in autumn along the edge of the pond. In summer, pink and yellow water lilies bloom on the surface of the pond, so you can enjoy the garden during all four seasons of the year.
This pond was introduced in a publication somewhat like a modern travel guidebook called “An Illustrated Guide to Famous Spots in the Capital” (Miyako Meisho Zue) published in 1780 during the middle of the Edo Period. According to this illustrated guidebook, the pond was once populated with mandarin ducks, and it seems that the strolling garden centered on the Kyoyochi Pond was even more famous than the rock garden.
Now, you can see white egrets resting their wings on the Fushitorajima Island in the middle of the pond. On another island in the pond, even though it is still within the temple grounds, there is a tori dedicated to Benzaiten. This island is called Bentenjima Island, and it is said that Toyotomi Hideyoshi dedicated the Benzaiten Torii at because he felt Kyoyochi Pond had a special god-like power.
When you come to the garden, take the path from the Sanmon Main Gate to the Kuri (priest residence), and after viewing the rock garden, enjoy a change from that monochrome scenery by taking a walk in the area around the pond.
   
Kyoyochi Pond
Kyoyochi Pond
Bentenjima Island
Bentenjima Island
Benzaiten Torii
Benzaiten Torii
  Water lilies blooming in summer   Mikumari Stone   An explanation of “An Illustrated Guide to Famous Spots in the Capital” on display in the Hojo  
  Water lilies blooming in summer   Mikumari Stone   An explanation of “An Illustrated Guide to Famous Spots in the Capital” on display in the Hojo  
 
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