江戸時代の新発田藩10万石大名の下屋敷です。近江八景をとり入れた京風の庭の中央に、草書体の「水」の字をかたどった大池泉のある回遊式庭園は、池の周囲に江戸期建築の簡素な数寄屋造りの書院と５つの異なる趣の茶室が配されています。桂離宮の技術と苔寺（西芳寺）の要素が取り入れられた名園で、水路沿いの苔庭、池に設えた石組や小滝や石橋、書院から見た額縁庭園など、多くの見どころがあります。

　This is a villa of the lords of the powerful Shibata fief. The strolling garden, in a Kyoto-style with motifs of the famous “Eight Views of Omi,” boasts a central pond whose shape is modeled on the Chinese character for “water” written in cursive script.
The pond is surrounded by elegant buildings based on those of Japan’s early modern period, and the garden contains many elements inspired by those of famous Kyoto landmarks,
such as Saihoji Temple and Katsura Imperial Villa.