noun
small inner garden; courtyard garden
Refers to a tiny, enclosed garden, often found in traditional Japanese townhouses (machiya) or between buildings, designed for viewing rather than entering.
京都の町家には、坪庭があることが多い。
Many traditional townhouses in Kyoto have a small inner garden.
坪庭に小さな灯籠を置いた。
I placed a small stone lantern in the courtyard garden.
Compound of 坪 (tsubo, a unit of area about 3.3 m², implying a small space) and 庭 (niwa, garden). The alternate kanji 壺 (tsubo, jar/pot) reinforces the image of an enclosed, container-like garden.