Oikeniwa

The Oikeniwa (Pond Garden), located to the east of the Kogosho, is a traditional Chisen-kaiyu-shiki (pond-strolling style) garden. At its center is a large pond, around which visitors can walk and enjoy ever-changing scenic views from various vantage points. Gently sloping lawns and suhama (pebble beaches) create a graceful shoreline along the water’s edge.
Three small islands are set within the pond, connected by stone and wooden bridges. The largest bridge, which leads to the southern island, is called Keyaki-bashi (meaning “zelkova bridge”), named for the fact that it was originally constructed entirely of zelkova wood.
A well-known anecdote from May 1975 tells that, during her visit to Japan, Queen Elizabeth II fed koi fish from atop this very bridge.