The Gyokusenkan Site Park in Iwamizawa was developed on the site of the former hot spring inn Gyokusenkan, which was once a popular garden. Gyokusenkan was a traditional Japanese inn that was in business from 1904 to 1979.

When the ryokan closed down, the garden was also closed and eventually fell into disrepair. In the Heisei era (1989), the city of Iwamizawa began to develop the park in response to requests from the public to make use of the pond and rehabilitate it in the style of a Japanese garden.

Going further back, the inn was built here several hundred years ago when the Ainu people discovered a mineral spring. Because of such a land, this area does not freeze over even in winter.

In 2001, a full-fledged tea house "Tamasen-an" was completed, and in 2011, it was selected as one of the "10 Iwamizawa Treasures" selected by citizens through the "Iwamizawa Treasure Discovery and Dissemination Project. The Gyokusenkan site park is now a place of rest and relaxation for the citizens of Iwamizawa, and it is also a "treasure" for them.

At the center of the 17,500 m2 site is Shinji-ike Pond, which literally means "heart" in Japanese. Around the pond are about 1,800 trees, each with a different expression depending on the season.

The best time to view the cherry blossoms is in early May. The garden turns light pink in early May. After the cherry trees have fallen, the weeping cherry trees behind the tea ceremony house will be in full bloom, also well worth seeing.

Photo courtesy of Garden Tatemono Hashimoto Co.

From mid to late October, the autumn leaves are in full bloom. As you stroll through the garden, enjoying the scenery of each season, you will feel your mind become calm and relaxed. Japanese gardens are, after all, the original landscapes that are at home in the hearts of the Japanese people.

Photo courtesy of Garden Construction Hashimoto Co.

Gyokusenkan Site Park is open from April 29 to November 3, and is closed during the winter. Admission is free and anyone can enter the park from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, but opening and closing times are subject to change depending on the season.

The tearooms are open to everyone for tea ceremonies and photography only. However, advance application is required and the fee must be paid in advance on the day of use. The tea ceremony room is very magnificent and dignified, so those interested should check it out from the official website.

Benches and azumayas are placed throughout the park. When you are tired from a stroll or just want to relax, why not sit down and look around? You can enjoy the longevity and elegance of the mineral spring that has been passed down from generation to generation since its discovery hundreds of years ago.

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Location: 3-3-1 Higashiyama, Iwamizawa-shi, Hokkaido
Contact: 0126-25-6400 (Mabuchi and Niwaken joint venture)
Official website: https://www.gyokusenkan.jp/

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