The garden is built on the site of a former residence of the Mori clan's chief retainer.
The central pond was designed using the Shakkei technique, borrowing the view of the surrounding mountains to make the garden feel larger.
The property contains a designated historic gate that dates back to the late Edo period.
The garden hosts seasonal tea ceremony events in the onsite 'Chofuan' teahouse.
The integrated art gallery frequently displays works by artists with direct ties to Shimonoseki or Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Chofu Garden is a historic site situated on the former grounds of a samurai residence in the Chofu castle town district of Shimonoseki. The site features a traditional circular garden pond fed by the nearby Dan-no-ura mountains. A preserved shoin-style building and a tea house are located on the property, reflecting the architectural aesthetics of the Edo period. The garden includes an integrated art gallery that hosts rotating exhibitions of local and regional works. Stone paths wind through moss-covered terrain, manicured pines, and seasonal flowering shrubs. The site maintains a connection to the Mori clan, who were the feudal lords governing this domain. The garden is enclosed by stone walls and a traditional gate, providing a contained micro-environment that contrasts with the surrounding modern city. Visitors can observe reflections of the surrounding greenery in the central pond, which serves as the garden's primary landscape feature.
The view from the main veranda of the historic building looking out over the central pond and arched bridge.
Walk the entire perimeter path to view the garden from multiple elevations.
Spend time in the gallery space to cool off during warmer months.
Visit the tea house for a traditional matcha service if a ceremony is scheduled.
Avoid walking off the stone paths into the moss beds or manicured garden segments.
Closed on certain days of the week, typically Wednesdays; closed during the year-end holidays.
Remove shoes when entering the interior of the historic buildings; remain on designated paths in the garden area.
