Since yarimizu (a steam coming from outside) where 'Kyokusui no Utage' (making-poetry party at the stream in a garden) was said to be held was the only remnant during the Heian period in Japan, and it was also highly valuable from the academic point of view, it was designated as the special historic site and the special scenic beauty place of the nation by the name of 'Pure Land Garden at Motsu-ji Temple.'
「曲水の宴」が行われたといわれる遣水は平安時代の遺構としては日本唯一のものとして学術上の価値も高いことから、「毛越寺浄土庭園」として国の特別史跡および特別名勝に指定されている。