Korakuen Garden

Korakuen Garden located in the northeastern outskirts of Okayama City is known as one of the three most famous Japanese gardens, along with Kairakuen Garden in Mito and Kenroku-en Garden in Kanazawa. The Japanese edition of Michelin Green Guide once awarded it “three stars”. It was the feudal lord's private garden completed in 1700. Having endured tremendous damage during the Second World War, it was later restored and still holds the style and characteristics of the Edo period (1603-1868). 

Unlike other Japanese gardens, Korakuen Garden is the first to plant a large area of lawn, while other Japanese gardens use moss to accentuate their designs. In the Korakuen Garden, visitors can enjoy the natural scenery while also learning about the history and culture of Japan through ancient architecture.

Attractions You can Visit in Korakuen Garden

1. En’yō-tei House

En’yō-tei House in Korakuen Garden

En’yō-tei House, originally used as the chamber for the feudal lord to relax and entertain guests, is the oldest and most important building in the garden. Standing here, you are able to take in a view of all the magnificent scenery inside the garden. Now, it is only open to the public during the New Year for koto and other performances. 

2. Nō Theater Stage

Nō Theater Stage was built by the Nō opera lover Kosei Ikeda, a feudal lord in the early Edo period, mainly for watching Nō opera performances and receiving guests. Now, you can see some valuable Nō opera clothes on display here.

3. Renchi-ken Rest House

The Renchi-ken Rest House is built facing the pond. From the interior, you can enjoy the most beautiful views of the garden, including the wooden bridge across the pond and the pine forest on the opposite bank. It is also one of the a few precious buildings that survived the war and still retains the style of the past.

4. Yuishinzan Hill

Yuishinzan Hill in Korakuen Garden

Yuishinzan Hill is about 6 meters (20 feet) high. In the beginning, the whole garden was more like a plain, and the construction of Yuishinzan Hill made the whole Korakuen Garden become three-dimensional. Among the many attractions in Korakuen Garden, one of the most prominent is the observation deck on Yuishinzan Hill. Standing there, you can observe the beautiful view of the whole garden, especially its largest pond, Sawa-no-ike Pond. It is also an excellent spot for taking photos.

5. Crane Aviary

Here, you can see the elegant and noble cranes. Currently, eight red-crowned cranes are bred in the garden. On New Year's Day, to celebrate the festival, staff will release the cranes from their cages and let them move freely in the garden.

6. Jigen-dō Temple

Jigen-dō Temple was built in 1697 to pray for the peace of the clan and to bless the people with safety. There are two gods guarding the hall. Within the hall lies a rock, piled up with 36 pieces of granite, resembling the formal black hat donned by ancient Japanese men upon reaching adulthood. 

The map of Korakuen Garden

Wooden Bridge in Korakuen Garden

Seasonal Scenery in Korakuen Garden

1. Plum Blossoms and Cherry Blossoms in Spring

The Plum Grove was formed around the end of the Edo period. From late February to mid-March, the 100 plum trees are blooming with delicate white and pink flowers. 

Cherry Blossom Tree Grove boasts over 300 cherry blossom trees, making it one of Japan's most famous cherry blossom viewing spots. The best time to view cherry blossoms is from late March to early April.

2. Lotus Flowers in Summer

The lotus flowers in Korakuen Garden

July to August is the season when the lotus flowers in Korakuen Garden are in full bloom. At this special time, tourists will be able to see different kinds of lotus flowers, especially the Ōga lotus, a particularly large pink lotus. Every year, on the first Sunday of July, special activities will be held in the garden from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m., to celebrate the Lotus Viewing Festival. 

3. Red Maple Leaves and Chrysanthemum Flowers in Autumn

The Chishio-no-mori Grove contains 100 maple trees that bud in the spring and turn red in the fall, like a sunset. For many years, it has been the most popular attraction in Korakuen Garden in autumn.

The Okayama Prefecture Chrysanthemum Convention is held from late October to mid-November every year. At the exhibition, 450 chrysanthemums in various colors grown by chrysanthemum lovers in this prefecture are displayed, such as Japanese large chrysanthemums, cliff chrysanthemums and small chrysanthemums.

Featured Activities You can Experience in Korakuen Garden

1. Yōsai Tea Ceremony

Visitors in Korakuen Garden

The Yōsai Tea Ceremony is held on the fourth Sunday of April every year to commemorate Eisai, the founder of Japanese tea culture who was born in Okayama. On this day, people can experience the Japanese tea culture and taste many kind of Japanese tea. It is an event that tea lovers should not miss.

2. Early Spring Festival

From January 1st to 3rd every year, there are many New Year activities in Korakuen Garden. During this period, tourists are able to relish a variety of magnificent scenes within the park as well as special activities, such as koto performances. During the 3 days, Korakuen Garden are open for free.

How to Get to Korakuen Garden

 On foot: From the east exit of JR Okayama Station, walk 350 meters (380 yards) north to Rock Town, then turn right and walk for 1,100 meters (1,200 yards) to the Asahi River, cross the Tsurumi Bridge, and you will reach the Korakuen Garden entrance, which takes about 25 minutes.

 By bus: From JR Okayama Station, go to Platform 1 of the bus station, take Bus Line 18 running to “Fujiwara Danchi” and get off at “Korakuen-mae” station, then walk for 50 meters (55 yards) south to get to the Korakuen Garden. The bus ride takes about 12 minutes. 

When can I Enter Korakuen Garden?

March 20th - September 30th: 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., last admission at 5:45 p.m. 
October 1st - March 19th: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., last admission at 4:45 p.m.

Tickets:

Tickets	Individual  tickets	Tickets for groups with 20 or more members
Adults	JPY500	JPY400
Children below and at 14 years old	free	free
Seniors over 65	JPY200	JPY160
Joint tickets	Korakuen Garden +  Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art	JPY600
	Korakuen Garden +  Okayama Castle	JPY720
	Korakuen Garden +  Okayama Castle +  Hayashibara Museum of Art	JPY1,120

Note: There are no preferential joint tickets for children and seniors.

Recommended Touring Times

The area of Korakuen Garden is not very large, and it takes about one and a half hours to visit the whole garden.

Nearby Attractions

1. Okayama Castle

Okayama Castle and Korakuen Garden are separated only by the Asashi River, so it only takes a few minutes to walk to Okayama Castle from Korakuen Garden. Okayama Castle, also known as "Black Castle" for its black appearance, is one of the oldest castles in Japan and was once the residence and office of the feudal lord. You can purchase a joint ticket for Okayama Castle and Korakuen Garden and visit them together.

2. Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art

The Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art is nearby the entrance to Korakuen Garden. Opened in August 1971, it focuses on the history and cultural changes of Okayama Prefecture, and houses some of Japan's national treasures.

3. Hayashibara Museum of Art

The Hayashibara Museum of Art is located southwest of Okayama Castle and houses some of the swords and paintings used by the former Okayama Castle master Ikeda's family, as well as the paintings collected from Okayama industrialist Ichiro Hayabara (1908-1961).