Korakuen Garden, Okayama

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Korakuen Garden is considered to be one of the three best gardens in Japan since the Edo Period. It was constructed by Tsuda Nagatada by orders of the daimyo Ikeda Tsunamasa and took thirteen years to complete (1687-1700). The garden was originally used by the daimyo to entertain his guests, as well as for his own personal pleasure. Minor changes were made periodically by the feudal lords until about 1863.

The garden has suffered damage by a flood in the 1930s and WWII bombings in 1945, however one of the reasons that it carries the title of being one of Japan's top three gardens is due to the fact that they have the original garden layout, so the damaged sections were able to be restored to make the entire garden resemble the original!

I find one unique aspect of this garden in comparison to many others in Japan is the openness of it. Although you can never see an entire Japanese garden from one angle, much of Korakuen is flat, so you can see a large amount of the garden without many obstructions from a variety of angles. The best view is said to be from the Enyo-tei House, where the Daimyo was received, but because it is a historical building, visitors cannot go inside. That's not so bad, though. There are so many great angles for viewing various parts of the garden!Korakuen is quite beautiful and worthy of its status!

To see the entire garden, it takes over an hour. (many visitors do not venture into the wooden area behind the Enyo-tei House and pond, but I would recommend going to all sections to get the full experience.)

Despite its fame, the entrance fee is only 350 yen for adults! (140 for 5-14 year olds and free for senior citizens with identification that displays one's birth date)

This garden is considered on of the 3 best landscape gardens in Japan. I didn't go in this time due to lack of time but I visited in 1993 during cherry blossom time and it's well worth going.

You reach the garden by crossing the bridge across the river opposite the castle.

Most people who go to Okayama go there to see Korakuen & to enjoy onsen (hot spring). Korakuen, one of the three most famous gardens in Japan (besides Kairakuen in Ibaraki Prefecture & Kenrokuen in Ishikawa Prefecture), is a beautifully landscaped Japanese garden. There is a small pond in the middle of the garden with koi fish & some teahouses on the grounds. You may sample traditional green tea with some Japanese sweets for 500yen.
You can also see tea plantations.
The best times to go is during sakura (cherry blossom) season or in the fall when the leaves are changing color.
It takes about 1 hr to go around the garden.
Open daily 7:30am-6pm (April-Sept), 8am-5pm (Oct-Mar).
Entrance fee is 350yen/adult, 140yen/child.

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Now here's one of those all too rare havens from the outside world
Overlooked by the Black Castle one can wander around this larger than normal setting.
Yes there's a lot of open space but as you wind your way around the gardeners have created variation
We found that as we walked around the scene changed from garden to farming to hills to forest and then water pond
Go to Okyama check out the castle wander across the foot bridge and through these gardens.
When you're finished, walk out through the main exit and cross the river on the road bridge
Turn Left and enjoy the open urban park on the other river bank
and finally, walk through a little bit of Japanese suburbia to the castle entrance
Now head back to your hotel and some of the excellent eateries in Okayama

the last pic is calender for the park - it would be great if we could add a translation - please :-)

The Okayama Korakuen (Japanese Garden) is a must see. It is so big and the gardens are so lovely you must see it if you are in the okayama area.
It has been voted the no.3 Japanese Garden in Japan. It has really big open spaces with really well kept gardens. The water features are nice to and feeding the fish is fun to.

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don't miss Korakoen, one of the 3 largest garden in Japan.

Admission fee 300 yen for adult.
Open daily until 6 pm, in summer until 9 pm (lighting).

This landscape garden is reputed to be one of the best in Japan. It's a relaxing place to take a stroll.

Okayama Garden was a very famous garden in Japan. It has different views in the four seasons so you can visit there anytime.

If you are going to be in Okayama, I recommend visiting Korakuen Park.
Listed as one of Japans three most beautiful parks, it is spectacular.