A Spacious Pond Garden
One of the greatest attractions of Chokyu-tei is its expansive garden, which covers approximately 3,000 tsubo, or roughly 9,900 square meters. At its center is a large pond measuring approximately 1,000 square meters, where colorful koi carp gracefully swim through the clear water.
Large natural stones have been carefully arranged around the pond, while pine trees and other evergreen plants create a calm and elegant landscape characteristic of Japanese gardens. The careful placement of rocks, trees, water, and open spaces creates scenery that can be appreciated from many different viewpoints.
White swans can also be seen gliding across the pond, adding to the tranquil atmosphere. Wild birds such as herons and cormorants occasionally visit the garden as well, creating a peaceful setting where nature and traditional garden design exist in harmony.
A Garden Filled with Seasonal Flowers
Chokyu-tei offers a different landscape with every season. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom throughout the grounds, giving the garden a bright and lively appearance. In early summer, a graceful wisteria trellis creates a beautiful curtain of purple flowers, while azaleas and satsuki azaleas add vivid colors to the landscape.
During the rainy season, hydrangeas bring soft shades of color to the garden, particularly beautiful against the damp atmosphere of early summer. In autumn, the foliage of the trees turns rich shades of red, orange, and gold, creating a warm and atmospheric scene.
From winter into early spring, red and white plum blossoms begin to appear, offering delicate signs of the coming spring. Thanks to its diverse collection of plants, Chokyu-tei can be enjoyed throughout the year, with each visit revealing a new aspect of the garden.
Walking Paths Around the Pond
A walking path winds around the pond, allowing visitors to explore the garden at a leisurely pace. As you walk, the scenery changes continuously, offering different perspectives of the water, rocks, trees, and surrounding landscape.
The distinctive garden stones scattered throughout the grounds are particularly worth noticing. Among them is a striking reddish stone known as Iyo no Akaishi, or “Iyo Red Stone.” Its vivid color remains impressive whether the stone is dry or wet, making it a memorable feature of the garden.
Some of the stones are remarkably large, rising higher than an adult visitor. Their impressive scale conveys both the power of nature and the beauty of carefully designed Japanese landscaping.
The Chokyu-tei Residence and Its Views
The Chokyu-tei residence stands across the pond and was built in 1958 as a private villa for Nakano Toshio, the founder of the company. One of the most impressive spaces inside the residence is its enormous reception hall, measuring approximately 120 tatami mats in size.
Large windows provide a sweeping view of the garden, creating a close relationship between the interior architecture and the natural landscape outside. This approach reflects an important principle of traditional Japanese architecture, in which gardens are designed to become part of the view from the building.
The view from the large reception hall is especially beautiful because the distant landscape of Mount Fujishiro is incorporated into the garden as a borrowed landscape, a technique known as shakkei. The mountains and garden appear to form a single composition, almost like a traditional Japanese painting.
In spring, the cherry blossoms on the mountain overlap visually with the cherry trees in the garden, creating a particularly spectacular scene that is one of Chokyu-tei’s most memorable seasonal views.
Enjoy the Garden Alongside a Sake Brewery Visit
Chokyu-tei offers more than garden sightseeing. Its location within the grounds of Nakano BC also allows visitors to experience Wakayama’s traditional brewing culture.
At the brewery, visitors can learn about the production of Japanese sake as well as other locally associated beverages, including umeshu (Japanese plum liqueur) and shochu. A brewery visit provides an opportunity to discover the craftsmanship and traditions behind these products.
The on-site shop, Chokyu-an, offers a selection of local products and opportunities to sample beverages such as regional sake and plum juice. It is also a convenient place to look for souvenirs that reflect the food and beverage culture of Wakayama.
A Peaceful Place to Slow Down
Chokyu-tei is a place where natural beauty and traditional Japanese design come together. The sound of water, the songs of birds, the changing colors of the plants, and the carefully arranged stones create an atmosphere far removed from the noise and bustle of everyday life.
Taking a leisurely walk around the pond and pausing to appreciate the scenery allows visitors to experience the quiet beauty of a Japanese garden at their own pace. The garden is particularly rewarding for travelers interested in traditional architecture, landscape design, Japanese culture, and local food traditions.
A Seasonal Highlight in Kainan
Chokyu-tei is a peaceful cultural attraction where visitors can experience the beauty of the seasons while discovering Wakayama’s long-standing sake-brewing tradition. From cherry blossoms and wisteria in spring to colorful autumn foliage and delicate plum blossoms in winter, the garden offers something different throughout the year.
For travelers exploring Kainan City and the wider Wakayama region, Chokyu-tei provides a memorable opportunity to combine Japanese garden scenery, traditional architecture, and local brewing culture in a single visit.