Torii gate at the entrance of the Shinsen en garden

In 794, when Emperor Kanmu established 'Heiankyo', the ancient capital of Japan from 794 to 1185, the swamp in the southern part of the Imperial Palace was reclaimed to make a garden. The garden was named Shinsen-en because it had a spring gushing within. The garden encompassed the main palace 'Kenrinlaku', the palace for the enjoyment of fishing, 'Tsuri-dono' and the palace of the waterfall 'Taki-dono', as well as the big pond and the island. It is said that successive emperors and aristocrats enjoyed various events and parties here, such as boating, flower viewing, writing poetry, archery and sumo wrestling.