Gofuso

In short

A former villa of the Terada family, consisting of a spacious strolling-style Japanese garden and a main building. During the Edo period, this site was home to the new teahouse and medicinal herb garden of the Kishiwada Castle lord. Terada Rikichi, the younger maternal half-brother of Terada Jinyomo (who founded the Terada Zaibatsu) and a former mayor of Kishiwada, set his sights on this land, and the residence and garden were built over a period of 10 years starting in 1929 (Showa 4). "Gofuso" (including the main building) is a Kishiwada City Designated Cultural Property (Structure), and the "Gofuso Garden" is a City Place of Scenic Beauty. Since 2019 (Heisei 31), it has been operated as an establishment serving Japanese cuisine, and visitors can enter and stroll through the garden.

• ​The Main Gate, "Nanbokumon Gate"​​: Relocated from the front gate of Chusho-in Temple, a sub-temple of Todai-ji Temple in Nara, it is called "Nanbokumon Gate" as a play on the character "Kusu" (楠) from the Kusunoki clan, who have deep ties to Kishiwada
• ​The Pond and Three Teahouses​​: Centered around a pond where carp swim, the garden offers scenery that changes as you walk, and you can enjoy the transitions of the four seasons while visiting the three teahouses. One of the teahouses, "Santei," was designed by Kizu Sosen III, a tea master of the Mushanokojisenke school
• ​Thirteen-Story Stone Pagoda and Autumn Leaves​​: A thirteen-story stone pagoda said to be associated with Oda Nobunaga stands quietly. In autumn, autumn foliage colors the entire garden

History and Highlights

​Gofuso​ is a former villa of the Terada family, consisting of a spacious strolling-style Japanese garden and a main building, located just south of Kishiwada Castle. During the Edo period, this site was home to the new teahouse and medicinal herb garden of the Kishiwada Castle lord. After the Meiji Restoration, the person who set his sights on this land was Terada Rikichi, the younger maternal half-brother of Terada Jinyomo (who founded the Terada Zaibatsu) and a former mayor of Kishiwada. Built over a period of 10 years starting in 1929 (Showa 4), the residence and garden were later named "Gofuso."

The grounds feature the main building, which brings together the finest elements of Japanese architecture, and three teahouses overlooking the garden. "Gofuso" (including the main building) is a Kishiwada City Designated Cultural Property (Structure), and the "Gofuso Garden" is a City Place of Scenic Beauty; both were designated in 2008 (Heisei 20). Since 2019 (Heisei 31), it has been operated as an establishment serving Japanese cuisine, and visitors can enter and stroll through the garden.

Highlights for Viewing and Experiencing

• ​The Main Gate, "Nanbokumon Gate"​​: The main gate was relocated from the front gate of Chusho-in Temple, a sub-temple of Todai-ji Temple in Nara. It is called "Nanbokumon Gate" as a play on the character "Kusu" (楠) from the Kusunoki clan, who have deep ties to Kishiwada.
• ​The Pond and Three Teahouses​​: Centered around a pond where carp swim, this garden offers changing scenery as you walk, allowing you to enjoy the transitions of the four seasons while visiting the three teahouses. One of the teahouses, "Santei," was designed by Kizu Sosen III, a tea master of the Mushanokojisenke school.
• ​Thirteen-Story Stone Pagoda and Autumn Leaves​​: Standing quietly in the garden is a thirteen-story stone pagoda said to be associated with Oda Nobunaga. It emerged in the Meiji period, and Terada Rikichi acquired it and placed it in the garden. In autumn, autumn foliage colors the entire garden.

Strolling Tips

It is a 5-minute walk from Takojizo Station and a 10-minute walk from Kishiwada Station on the Nankai Main Line. Kishiwada Castle's castle keep can be seen from the garden, and if you climb up to the castle about 120 meters to the north, you can look down upon the expansive grounds of Gofuso. Below the stone walls of the honmaru (main bailey) on the Gofuso side, there is also a perimeter berm called the "Inubashiri Ishigaki" (dog-run stone wall), which is rarely seen in other castles.