To-in Teien Garden

Dongwon Garden sits on the east side of the Heijo Palace Site in Nara and is a historic site where an ancient palace garden has been restored. Stone paths, ponds, and planted beds lead past reconstructed corridors and halls. It is about a 20-minute walk from Yamato-Saidaiji Station, and admission and parking are free. A video at the entrance resource center shows what the guest hall of the period looked like, and because the garden is in the east corner of the Heijo Palace Site, it is hard to find unless you set it as your destination.