The Courtyard Gardens of Kyoto (MITSUMURA SUIKO)

Tsubo-niwa, or courtyard gardens are small, interior gardens which play a significant role in the ideal Japanese home. Often seen in classical machiya townhouses, (often called “Eel’s bed” due to their thin and long rectangular shape), temples and shrines and located in the inner part of the house, courtyard gardens provide both functionality such as ventilation and lighting and add natural comfort to daily life. About 50 tsuboniwa from machiya townhouses, temples, hotels and museums are introduced.