An old illustration of Kohfukuji Temple reveals that the "Manishuin," a branch temple of Kohfukuji used to be on the Yoshikien premise. This site was privately owned during the Meiji period (1868-1912) and then its' current structures and garden were designed and built-in 1919 during the Taisho period. At the end of the Showa period (1926-1989) ownership of the property was transferred from a corporate guest house to Nara Prefecture. With the intent of having it be widely used for viewing the garden and tea ceremony, it was opened to the public on April 1st, 1989. The approximately 8900 square meters property consists of three smaller gardens namely Ikenoniwa Kokenoniwa and Chabananoniwa (garden with seasonal flowers for tea ceremony. In Kokenoniwa you can find a traditional thatched-roofed tea ceremony house. For those who wish to use the tea ceremony house please enquire at the reception.