The name “KOKO-EN” comes from “Koko-do”, the name of the provincial school founded by the last Lord of Himeji Castle, Lord Sakai. Koko-en opened in 1992 on the former site of of the feudal lord's west residence (Nishi-Oyashiki). It consists of nine separate walled gardens designed in various styles of the Edo Period (ca.1600-1860).