[2024 Okayama Attraction] Travel Guide for Okayama Korakuen (Updated Dec)
No.2 of Best Things to Do in Okayama
Gardens
Address:
1-5 Kōrakuen, Kita Ward, Okayama, 703-8257, Japan
Opening times:
Opens at 08:00-17:00(Admission ends at 16:45)Open
Recommended sightseeing time:
1 hour
Phone:
+81 86-272-1148
Okayama Korakuen: One of Japan's Three Great Gardens
As one of Japan's three great gardens, Okayama Korakuen stands alongside Kanazawa's Kenrokuen and Mito's Kairakuen, enjoying nationwide fame. Located next to Okayama Castle, the garden spans 13 hectares and showcases the typical 'strolling garden' design of the Edo period. Built in 1700 by Ikeda Tsunamasa, the second lord of the Okayama Domain, this historic garden was not only a place for noble leisure but has also become a paradise for today's travelers.
🚩 Spacious and Comfortable Strolling Experience
Upon entering Korakuen, the vastness of the garden is immediately striking. Unlike typical Japanese gardens, Korakuen's open spaces provide a sense of comfort and freedom. Walking along the winding stone paths, surrounded by lush lawns, ponds, and flowers, one can't help but slow down and take a deep breath of the fragrant air. Every element in the garden seems meticulously arranged, from the small bridges and flowing water to the scattered stone lanterns, all exuding a simple yet elegant charm.
👍 Unique Aesthetic of Garden Landscaping
Korakuen's garden landscaping is unique, with every detail showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. The most notable feature is the 'Daisen Pond,' whose mirror-like surface reflects the sky and surrounding scenery, creating a picturesque view. In the center of the pond is a 'small mountain island' surrounded by pine trees, resembling a floating island from afar. Whether strolling along the pond or climbing the small hill for a panoramic view, one can feel the designer's ultimate pursuit of natural beauty. Additionally, the garden features an artificial hill called 'Yuishinzan,' which offers a panoramic view of Korakuen and a distant view of Okayama Castle. In spring, the blooming cherry blossoms and fresh greenery add a touch of romance to the garden. The hydrangeas in summer, the autumn leaves, and the winter snow each offer a different charm with every visit.
🎉 Special Night Openings: A Different Kind of Charm
For a completely different experience, visiting Korakuen at night is a must. During specific periods, the garden opens for night visits, with lights illuminating every corner, creating a starry effect. The moonlight and lights reflect on the tranquil pond, creating a dreamy atmosphere. The cool night breeze adds a sense of peace and tranquility, making the experience even more serene. The 'Daisen Pond' is particularly enchanting at night, with the starry reflections making it even more mesmerizing. The lanterns and stone sculptures in the garden appear more ancient and elegant under the soft lighting, giving a sense of time travel. Strolling with family or friends in such an atmosphere is an unforgettable experience.
📍 The Enchanting Beauty of Korakuen
Okayama Korakuen, whether by day or night, attracts countless visitors with its unique scenery. The vast grounds, exquisite garden landscaping, and enchanting night atmosphere are all captivating. It's not only a great place for photography but also a serene spot to relax and enjoy nature. Every corner is filled with poetry and beauty, making it feel like stepping into a living museum of traditional Japanese culture. Don't miss this gem, one of Japan's three great gardens, on your next visit to Okayama.
🔴 Transportation Tips: Accessible by bus, tram, or taxi
🟠 Must-Visit Spots: Korakuen, Okayama Castle
🟡 Recommended Hotels: Okayama Koraku Hotel
🟢 Must-Try Foods: Garden teahouse, ramen, vegetable curry
🔵 Shopping Guide: Sweets, fruit products
choshungo
Kōraku-en (後楽園, Kōrakuen) Japanese garden
The garden is located on the north bank of the Asahi River on an island between the river and a developed part of the city.[2] The garden was designed in the Kaiyu ("scenic promenade") style which presents the visitor with a new view at every turn of the path which connects the lawns, ponds, hills, tea houses, and streams.
The garden covers a total area of approximately 133,000 square meters, with the grassed area covering approximately 18,500 square meters. The length of the stream which runs through the garden is 640 meters. It features a central pond called Sawa-no-ike (Marsh Pond), which contains three islands purported to replicate the scenery around Lake Biwa near Kyoto.
HEIN THANHTOO
A super detailed 6-day Japan itinerary. Read before you go!
Japan travel essentials! A 6-day in-depth itinerary to help you explore Japan and not miss any beautiful scenery or delicious food. Save it now!
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🎉Itinerary:
D1: Arrive at Okayama Airport🛫, VIP car transfer to the hotel, and enjoy your free time!
D2: Visit the lush Korakuen Garden🌳 - Climb Okayama Castle and experience its historical charm - Stroll through the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter and enjoy its ancient charm.
D3: Visit Conan Town in Hokuei and start your detective journey🕵️ - Visit the Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory and trace the birthplace of Conan - Visit the Tottori Sand Dunes and experience the desert scenery - Visit the Sand Museum and appreciate the beauty of sand art.
D4: Visit the Adachi Museum of Art and appreciate the beauty of art🎨 - Visit Izumo Taisha and pray for peace - Enjoy the hot springs at Tamatsukuri Onsen🛀.
D5: Stroll leisurely through Izumo and experience the charm of the small town - Return to Okayama and explore the city.
D6: Depart from Okayama Airport🛫, say goodbye to Japan, and return home with beautiful memories!
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Travel essentials: 🧳 Don't forget to bring these things when you travel to Japan!
📞 Prepare a SIM card so you can stay in touch.
🔌 A plug adapter is essential as Japan has a different voltage.
🪪 Bring your documents, including your visa and passport.
👔 Japan is already cold in November, so bring warm clothes.
Prepare these items for your trip to Japan, and you can travel with peace of mind! Don't forget to apply for a visa in advance.
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Don't hesitate! Take this Japan travel guide and start your romantic journey. You won't regret it!
Hazel Richardson Lucy
Autumn Magic: A Colorful Escape at Okayama Korakuen Garden!
#asiatrip
Visiting Okayama Korakuen Garden in autumn was like walking into a living painting! The trees were bursting with shades of red, orange, and yellow, creating a magical carpet of leaves everywhere I looked. It felt like nature’s best show, just for me.
I strolled along the winding paths, taking in the colorful trees reflected in the ponds. Every corner was a new picture-perfect view. The crunch of leaves under my feet and the crisp air made the experience even more special.
There were cozy tea houses where I sipped warm tea while admiring the breathtaking scenery. Autumn in Korakuen Garden is pure magic, with every red and yellow leaf adding to the beauty. It was an unforgettable nature escape!
#travel #japan #naturalwonders #garden #okayama #korakuen #autumn
mkbuzz
Experience the Four Seasons at Okayama Korakuen Garden
Okayama's Korakuen Garden is one of Japan's three most famous gardens, created by Tsunamasa Ikeda, the lord of Okayama during the Edo period.
The expansive grounds feature beautifully arranged ponds, waterfalls, and lawns, with seasonal flowers adding color throughout the year.
Another highlight is the view of Okayama Castle from within the garden, offering a harmonious blend of history and nature.
Korakuen is known for its characteristic 'daimyo garden' style, where visitors can enjoy changing sceneries as they walk through.
Additionally, the garden hosts nighttime illuminations and seasonal events, continually enchanting its visitors.
さいとうくん
Pilgrimage to the Famous Korakuen Garden, a Serene Japanese Style
Korakuen Garden is located in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, and is designated as a 'Special Place of Scenic Beauty' in Japan.
A Japanese garden is a natural landscape composed of stones, flowing water, and plants. By arranging these elements to mimic natural scenery, it creates a miniature landscape that expresses a unique aesthetic sense and artistic conception.
Okayama's Korakuen Garden, along with Kairakuen in Mito and Kenrokuen in Kanazawa, is one of the 'Three Great Gardens of Japan,' representing the quintessential Japanese garden.
Spanning approximately 133,000 square meters, the garden connects lawns, ponds, and tea houses through pathways and waterways. Visitors can stroll through the ingeniously designed strolling garden and admire the changing seasonal landscapes. The garden retains the elegance of the Edo period, inviting visitors to stop and marvel at its beauty.
You can also visit Okayama Castle together with Korakuen Garden, and enjoy a discount by purchasing a combined ticket.
林溫妮
A Scenic Oasis
#traveldiaries
One of Japan’s three most famous gardens, Okayama Korakuen is a masterpiece of Japanese landscape design. The garden features spacious lawns, scenic ponds, and picturesque walking paths. It’s the ideal place to experience traditional Japanese aesthetics and tranquility.
Tips:
• Best Time to Visit: Spring for cherry blossoms or autumn for vibrant fall colors.
• What to Bring: A camera for stunning landscape photography.
• Don’t Miss: The view of Okayama Castle from the garden—an iconic sight.
RamziRazan
Korakuen: One of Japan's Three Great Gardens
Korakuen in Okayama is one of the most famous daimyo gardens from the Edo period. It was commissioned by Tsunamasa Ikeda, the lord of Okayama, and constructed by his retainer Nagatada Tsuda, starting in 1687 and reaching a provisional completion in 1700.
Along with Kairakuen in Mito and Kenrokuen in Kanazawa, it is known as one of Japan's Three Great Gardens and has been designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government.
TzT_offical.jp
Stunning Shining Okayama Sakura Hanami
#cherryblossom2024
Stunning gardens, a majestic castle and the ancient Kurashiki Canal district
Okayama Prefecture is known for its delicious fruits. It is often called the Land of Sunshine, and Momotaro, the "peach boy", is considered a local hero and symbol. Okayama, the capital and largest city of the prefecture, is home to the castle of the same name with impressive black walls and the Koraku Garden, one of the three best landscape parks in Japan. The historic commercial city of Kurashiki, famous for its canals, is located not far from the capital. Okayama is the capital and largest city of the prefecture of the same name. It faces south to the island of Shikoku and the Inland Sea of Japan. There is a curious "Crow Castle" and the traditional Koraku garden, which is considered one of the three best among its kind. The nearby town of Kurashiki is famous for its canals and beautifully preserved urban landscapes of the Edo period.
The weather is almost always good here. Okayama is called the "Land of Sunshine": they say there are more clear days here than anywhere else in the country. Factories of several of the world's most famous denim fabric manufacturers operate in Kojima. From Okayama, you can get to the island of contemporary art, Naoshima, located in neighboring Kagawa Prefecture.
How to get
Okayama is easily accessible by JR Tokaido-Sanyo shinkansen from Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima. You can also fly to Okayama International Airport, take a local train or an intercity bus.
I recommend
Take a walk through the historical Bikan quarter in Kuroshiki.
Explore Koraku-en, one of the three best gardens in Japan.
Visit Okayama Castle and admire the surrounding views.
Try the local delicacy — kibi dango sweets made from mochi rice.
Spring. It's time to admire the blossoms on Sakura Alley along the Asahi River in Okayama City and walk through the colorful Takenomori Park in the north of Okayama.
The most popular places in Okayama are the "Crow Castle" and the Koraku Garden, standing on opposite sides of the river. There is a bridge between them.
The "Crow Castle" owes its name to the black walls. The six floors of the fortress rise majestically above the river and the city. The quiet and beautiful Koraku Garden on the other side of the river was built at the behest of the local ruler. It is difficult to imagine here that great battles once thundered in this territory.
Koraku-en is one of the best landscape parks in Japan. Streamlines and footpaths wind through carefully manicured lawns, rice and tea fields. Cherries and other trees grow in the garden. There is a pond and a bird aviary.
MaxS
Okayama Korakuen
#thingstodo
Beautiful Japanese garden even in winter and well worth the ticket price of 410 yen. Very neat and well-maintained, and in some parts you can also see Okayama Castle in the background. A full walking loop of the gardens should take around 40 minutes to an hour. There are plenty of bathrooms inside, as well as souvenir shops and some food..........
Anything travels
Aren't you really coming to the lesser-known Japanese amusement park in Tokyo for good shots?
Tokyo Dome City
Next to the Tokyo Dome, the amusement park is really good. When the weather is good, the sky here is as blue as fake, and the photos are also very good.
🚇Take the tram to Korakuen Station, and Tokyo Dome City is just off the station. There are also shopping malls nearby, which is very convenient.
🎢 The roller coaster in Korakuen City is very famous. Many Japanese people come to play. Don't look at it as a small amusement park. This roller coaster is quite scary. It even passes through the Ferris wheel. The Ferris wheel can also see beautiful scenery because it is in the city center.
💰The ticket price is not expensive, you can play once for a few tens of yuan, and the location can be reached by tram, and there is Tokyo Dome nearby.
N1ghtstr1d3r_@byssus
A scenic garden in Okayama
#2024wish
This beautiful landscape garden is regarded as one of the three great gardens of Japan. It was created around 300 years ago by the Ikeda family who once ruled Okayama, as a place to relax. The vast grounds, designed around carp-filled ponds, have the classic features of a strolling garden, including borrowed scenery, waterfalls, bridges, tea houses and cherry trees. The meandering paths reveal beautiful vistas at every turn. The garden retains many of its original features. Gazing up at Okayama Castle just beyond the garden, visitors can feel like they stepped back into a bygone era.
I want to visit Okayama again in 2024.
Anything travels
Korakuen garden in Okayama
#2024wish
One of the great gardens of Japan. To truly appreciate the beauty of this garden, go when the weather cooperates. They designed this park for all four seasons. The summer area was beautiful this June morning. The irises were in full bloom. It made a great photo. We walked around the whole park. It was well-groomed and maintained however we could only imagine what it would look like in their respective seasons. We appreciated the many benches and rest areas placed strategically around the park. We were able to take many breaks. There were washrooms located around the park as well as a few vending machines to quench your thirst. While we found Okayama to be a very quiet city - this park is worth visiting again.
In 2024, I want to go to Okayama again.
Anything travels
Korakuen in Okayama during the autumn season
🍂 Korakuen, located in the suburbs of Okayama City, Japan, was built by the Ikeda family, the feudal lords of Okayama during the Edo period. The Ikeda family valued agriculture and warfare, leaving not only a large amount of good farmland for future generations, but also the beautiful Korakuen.
🍂 Korakuen is a typical Japanese garden, with the lines of trees and lawns finely trimmed, and ponds, rockeries, and tea rooms dotted in between. Korakuen in autumn is particularly beautiful, colorful, like a knocked over palette🎨.
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NoahO Donnell04
Okayama Castle and Korakuen Garden
From Okayama Station, head east along Momotaro Avenue and you'll find Okayama Castle at the end. The Okayama Electric Tram is also within the free ticket range of the JR Seto Inland Pass, just show it to the conductor when you get off. Although it's on the same line, you can't see the castle even if you get off at the castle station. Not until you walk up a short slope, and it suddenly opens up. In front of you is the Asahi River and a wide river channel, and your mood brightens up with it. Crossing Tsukimi Bridge, Korakuen Garden is wrapped in a forest. Along the forest is a free garden path. Just walk past the Korakuen ticket office for a hundred meters, at the Showa Monument, you can find the best viewing angle of Okayama Castle. There is a black cat by the grass on the ground, not afraid of people. It also likes this angle. The black castle of Okayama, in the game 'Nobunaga's Ambition: Creation of the World', is a form that can only be built in the later stages. There are also lighting events in October. The scenery, temperature, and wind at this time, I want to experience a hundred million times. (Korakuen) Visiting famous gardens, I can't help but marvel at the beauty of Korakuen. No matter where in the world, it's worth making a special trip to Korakuen. The carp in the garden are large and numerous, if you have enough time, sitting here for an afternoon feeding fish and watching the scenery is a great time. Korakuen The view of Okayama Castle and the garden from the exit is also very good, you need a telephoto lens. I only brought a short lens, so I need to crop. I really like the sculpture outside the door. There is a chrysanthemum exhibition on weekends, if you catch the chrysanthemum exhibition, there will be too many tourists, and you can't have both the scenery and the flowers.