Adjacent to Inuyama Castle, the Uraku-en garden was created around Jo-an, a teahouse built in 1618 and designated a National Treasure — one of only three such teahouses in Japan. The garden itself is a beautifully composed stroll garden with stone lanterns, moss, maples, and a small pond. It is quiet even when the rest of Inuyama is busy.
Jo-an is a masterwork of the wabi aesthetic that defines the classic Japanese tea ceremony: small rooms, rough plaster walls, a low crawl entrance (nijiriguchi) designed to make everyone equal, and materials chosen for their imperfection rather than their perfection. Visitors can view the exterior of Jo-an and walk the garden; actual tea ceremony participation requires advance booking. The autumn maple foliage in the garden is particularly striking in October and November. The entrance fee is separate from the castle.