Kōrakuen Garden

後楽園

The name means "Garden of Pleasure After", a reference to a famous Confucian quote stating that a wise ruler must attend to his subjects' needs first and only then attend to his own. Construction started 1687 and was completed 13 years later. Despite slight changes, Korakuen largely keeps its form from the Edo era, with waterfalls, tiny shrines, teahouses, miniature maple forests, a lotus pond, and even a greenhouse filled with orchids and cacti. The rare red-crested white cranes are another notable feature. They are released for flying exhibitions on special occasions throughout the year. The large wooden building called the Enyo-tei was used to host daimyo (feudal lords), Emperor Meiji, and other members of the imperial family. The view from the veranda (usually off-limits to the general public) is considered the best in the park, and the strategic location of trees and hills/mounds in the park act as a natural frame. A local ordinance prevents high-rise buildings that would encroach on this view. The roof of a temple can be seen on the side of the distant Mt. Misaoyama, but it was built to enhance the view from the porch. There are two entrances to the garden: across from the Okayama Prefectural Museum, and across the Moon-Viewing Bridge (月見橋 Tsukimi-bashi).

• museum
• outdoors
• family

Address

1-5 Korakuen

Getting there

15-min walk from Okayama Station or 5-min walk from Shiroshita tram Stop

Hours

Closed · opens 7:30 am

Weekly hours

Mon	7:30 am–6 pm
Tue	7:30 am–6 pm
Wed	7:30 am–6 pm
Thu	8 am–5 pm
Fri	8 am–5 pm
Sat	8 am–5 pm
Sun	8 am–5 pm

Price

¥400

Website

okayama-korakuen.jp (opens in a new tab)