Photo credit: Okayama Korakuen Garden.
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- Okayama Korakuen Garden
Okayama Korakuen Garden
The exceptional beauty of a national scenic treasure – one of Japan’s “Three Great Gardens”
- Closest station
Okayama Station on the Sanyo Shinkansen
- Access
Around 25 minutes’ walk from Okayama Station on the Sanyo Shinkansen
- Location
1-5 Korakuen, Kita-ku, Okayama-shi, Okayama
- Opening hours
March 20 to September 30: 7:30 – 18:00 (last admission: 17:45)
October 1 to March 19: 8:00 – 17:00 (last admission: 16:45)
*Hours may vary due to special events.
- Closed
Open year-round
- Price
Single tickets: Adult – 410 yen; 65 and over – 140 yen; High school students and under – free
Set tickets for Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle: Adult – 640 yen
Great Stuff to See and Do!
Three-star garden built by a feudal lord boasts splendorous views of Okayama Castle
Photo credit: Okayama Korakuen Garden.
Korakuen Garden in Okayama Prefecture is known as one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, along with Kenrokuen Garden in Ishikawa Prefecture and Kairakuen Garden in Ibaraki Prefecture. This stunning Japanese garden has received a three-star rating in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
Built around 300 years ago, the garden was created by order of the second lord of the Okayama domain, Tsunamasa Ikeda (1638-1714), who wished to create a retreat where the domain’s feudal lords could go to relax. The vast garden features circulating walking paths with lawns, ponds, and flowers throughout. It is also dotted with several buildings, including a Noh theater stage and the En’yo-tei House (closed to the public), which was used as a private sitting room for successive generations of feudal lords. Since it was built behind Okayama Castle, the garden was called Gokoen (“rear park”) during the Edo period (1603-1867).
Yuishinzan Hill, located at the center of the garden, was constructed during the reign of Tsunamasa Ikeda’s son, Tsugumasa Ikeda (1702-1776), and is brightly decorated with azaleas and rhododendrons in spring. Watching the leisurely flow of the 640-meter-long winding canal that runs through the garden brings peaceful moments of relaxation. The garden abounds with a rich variety of scenic spots, including Chishio-no-mori Grove, which yields exquisite plum and cherry tree blossoms in spring and beautiful foliage in autumn—perfect for a leisurely stroll.
The “Fantasy Garden” illumination event dazzles!
Photo credit: Okayama Korakuen Garden.
The Fantasy Garden is a popular event held three times a year for a limited period in spring, summer, and fall, during which Okayama Korakuen Garden is open to visitors at night. In addition to various locations in the garden, Okayama Castle, just across the river, is also illuminated to create a magical nighttime ambiance. Coinciding with the Fantasy Garden events are many seasonal activities, such as concerts and Japanese cultural experiences. Revel in the romantic evening atmosphere and experience Korakuen in an entirely different light!
