This is an ancient site, the temple being built in the Tempyô (729-749) period. There are three different pond gardens here that are said to have been built in the Momoyama period but are probably much more recent. The main study, around which two of the gardens are built was rebuilt in 1776 as Myoju-in. The garden on the south side of the shoin is the most notable with a karetaki (dry waterfall) in the pond, a stone slab bridge and houkyouintou style monument.
When the floating bridge
Of the dream of a spring night
Was snapped, I awoke:
In the sky a bank of clouds
Was drawing away from the peak.
Fujiwara no Teika (1162-1241) Shinkokin Wakashû trans. by Donald Keene