Ijimino Ochaya brings together a delicate sukiya-style teahouse and a pond garden shaped by an island, red pines and landscaped mounds. Choose it for a visit focused on historic rooms and garden views, rather than the larger Ijimino sports park and Lake Masugata.
Featured image: Tail furry, photographed 21 April 2021; resized and converted to WebP / Wikimedia Commons Image source · CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Why visit
This was a retreat and teahouse for the Shibata domain lords, who rested here on journeys to and from Edo. The garden was created under the guidance of tea master Agata Sochi, giving the setting a history beyond its appealing pond views. In 2003, it received national Place of Scenic Beauty designation alongside Shimizuen.
Plan your visit
Ordinary admission is free, making this an option for travelers seeking a historic garden without an admission charge. Treat it as a sightseeing visit: private room hire and organised tea gatherings have separate application and payment conditions and are outside ordinary admission.
The address is 4926 Ijimino, Aza Kumanosawa, Shibata. Parking for 20 vehicles is listed. For those considering public transport, the city gives a general bus journey of about ten minutes from Shibata Station; use that as an orientation figure rather than a complete door-to-door travel time.
Make the most of your visit
Try looking at the garden as a composition rather than simply a pond: notice how the island, red pines and landscaped mounds relate to the sukiya-style building. Give the rooms and their views attention, too—the building opens towards the garden, making their relationship a central part of the visit. If your main interest is this historic teahouse, keep it distinct from a visit to the larger sports park and Lake Masugata.
Planning notes
The city's information, checked on 2026-10-19, lists public visiting hours of 09:00–16:30 during the April–November opening season. The property closes on Mondays, or the following day when Monday is a public holiday, and is closed for winter from December through March.
Before using the bus, check the current stops, timetable and return service; the city's approximate journey time does not supply those details.
Practical information
History
History: This was a retreat and teahouse of the Shibata domain lords, who rested here on journeys to and from Edo. The garden was created under the guidance of tea master Agata Sochi. It received national Place of Scenic Beauty designation in 2003 alongside Shimizuen.
Information as of .
Highlights
Highlights: The delicate sukiya-style building opens towards a pond garden with an island, red pines and landscaped mounds. Its rooms and garden views are a different visit from the larger Ijimino sports park and Lake Masugata.
Information as of .
Opening hours
Public visiting hours are 09:00–16:30 during the April–November opening season.
Information as of .
Closures and restrictions
Closed Mondays, or the following day when Monday is a public holiday. The property is closed for winter from December through March.
Information as of .
Price
Ordinary admission is free. Private room hire and organised tea gatherings have separate application and payment conditions and are not part of a standard sightseeing visit.
Information as of .
Access
Address: 4926 Ijimino, Aza Kumanosawa, Shibata. Parking for 20 vehicles is listed. The city gives a general bus journey of about ten minutes from Shibata Station; check the current stops, timetable and return service.
Information as of .
Useful links
Shibata City Ijimino Ochaya Teahouse and Garden
Information based on checks dated 2026-10-19.
For another perspective on the area, read our Shibata Castle guide and explore more Niigata travel guides.