inner garden; inner park
Refers to the inner garden or park within a palace, shrine, or large estate. Often used in historical or formal contexts.
The inner garden of the Imperial Palace is not open to the public.
There is a quiet pond in the inner garden of the shrine.
外苑 refers to the outer grounds of a shrine or estate, while 内苑 refers to the inner, often more restricted garden area.
Compound of 内 (inner) and 苑 (garden, park). The kanji 苑 is often used in formal or literary contexts for gardens or parks.