Kōraku-en is gorgeous Japanese garden located near Okayama Castle in Okayama City, Japan. It is considered one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, alongside Kenroku-en in Kanazawa and Kairaku-en in Mito.

It is a place where visitors can enjoy the timeless beauty of traditional Japanese garden design, offering a very peaceful retreat near the heart of Okayama.

Kōraku-en Okayama was designed during the Edo period and was originally a place for the lords of the domain to relax and entertain guests.

The gardens have a beautiful, expansive landscape with ponds, walking paths, rolling hills,carefully designed plantings, Bridges and walkways.

Seiryu-en Pond at the centre of the garden provides a serene relaxing place to still through, contemplate or sit and enjoy

There are several teahouses in the garden where visitors can relax and enjoy traditional Japanese tea ceremonies or ice cream, as I did!

Getting to Okayama

From Hiroshima take the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Hiroshima to Okayama Station, which takes about 40–50 minutes.
From Kyoto, by Shinkansen to Okayama Station takes about two hours or 1 and a half from Osaka

From the station, walk or take the tram

Tickets

The entry ticket to Okayama Castle includes access to Kōraku-en, making it an ideal pairing for a day of sightseeing. It’s easy to access from the castle, making the combination of both attractions a highlight of any visit to Okayama.

Hours

The garden is open from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM year-round. Spring, from March to May, is the most popular time to visit because of the cherry blossoms and the blooming flowers across the garden. Summer from June to August is when the Garden is its lushest and greenest, but it’s also hot and humid! In the September to November Autumn, the garden’s trees turn red, orange, and yellow shades. Winter in December to February is quieter. Light snow can fall, making the garden even more beautiful.

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