【Bizen Area】1-5 Korakuen, Kita Ward,Okayama City
Okayama Korakuen Garden, Okayama Castle
This is a famous castle compound, composed of a great garden, one of three major Japanese-style gardens in Japan, and an eminent castle called “Ujo” (meaning “crow castle” in Japanese) due to its dark appearance.
The more you know, the more you find the superiority of the garden.
This circuit-style garden, constructed by a lord, is a place of scenic beauty, and is officially recognized by the government. It stands as one of three main gardens in Japan, its counterparts being Kenrokuen in Kanazawa, and Kairakuen in Mito.
The area of this garden is 13 ha, consisting of Enyotei as its core, a Noh stage, a pond, a miniature hill, a plum-grove, and a tea plant garden. In contrast with other Japanese style gardens, there is a broad lawn included in the garden. The garden reflects the open, mild atmosphere and climate of the Seto Inland Sea area that the French guide book, the “Michelin Green Guide”, awarded a three-star rating; its highest rating.
The castle neighboring the Korakuen Garden is also called “Ujo” due to the impressive appearance of its black castle tower. Together they create a superb harmony.
Pickup of must-see sights
- Ryuten
- A very rare style of architecture with water flowing through an area without walls on first floor in the center of its structure.
- Enyotei
- Enyotei is the main structure in the Korakuen Garden. It is said that a view from it is the best among all of its kind.
- Yuishin-zan Hill
- You can enjoy a panoramic view of the garden from the top of this hill.
- Red-crowned Crane
- The red-crowned crane is the symbol of Korakuen Garden. They are released at New Year’s and fly elegantly across the sky.
- Genso Teien Garden
- Korakuen Garden is lit up with a number of lamps and candles, offering fantastic scenery for your enjoyment from late July to late August.
You can enjoy flowers and trees throughout the year in Korakuen Garden
cherry blossoms and azalea in spring time, iris and water lily in summer time, colored leaves in autumn, and camellia and plum in winter.
- Spring cherry blossom
- Spring azalea
- Summer iris
- Autumn leaves
- Winter plum
Take a little walk in the garden
Garden of Okayama
Omizuen Garden
Water from the Ashimori River is brought into the garden. You can feel the elegant atmosphere here. The view from Ginpukaku, which stands at the edge of a lake, is especially impressive.
Raikyuji Temple
The temple is said to have been constructed by Takauji Ashikaga, a lord in the 14th century. This dry garden was designed and constructed by Enshu Kobori, an authority on Japanese-style gardens, and is designated as a place of scenic beauty by the government.
Shurakuen Garden
A garden a lord constructed in the early Edo Period (17 AD). Elegant Kyoto-style articles can be seen throughout many places in the garden.
Okayama Castle
A grand and panoramic view of Okayama city from the top of the castle tower.
The castle tower which used to be the national treasure was destroyed by fire during World War II, so the current tower was restored to original state after the war. From its black appearance, the castle is also called “Ujo,” a castle of crow. You can have a grand view of urban Okayama area from the top of the tower.
Tsukimi-yagura Tower
The Tsukimi-yagura Tower and the Nishimaru-nishite- yagura Tower are two structures which have existed since the completion of the original Okayama Castle. Tsukimi-yagura Tower was not only used for defense of the castle, but also as a place to enjoy elegant and cultured events throughout the year, including moon watching.
- For more information, contact
- Okayama Castle Office TEL:086-225-2096
Access
Train: 5 min. from JR Okayama station by city tram. Get off the tram at “Shiroshita” and then walk (15 min.) to the garden.
Bus: 10 min. from JR Okayama station on the “Fujiwara Danchi” bound bus. Get off the bus at “Korakuen.”
Car: 15 min. from the Okayama Interchange of the Sanyo Expressway.
It sees in a big map.
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Contents「Cityscape」
Must-see sights
Tsuyama Cherry Blossom Festival
【Mimasaka Area】 Tsuyama city
Tsuyama Cherry Blossom Festival
This festival is the spring time tradition at Tsuyama Castle (Kakuzan Park) which is famous as one of the best cherry blossom watching spots.
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Folded in three
English pamphlet of Okayama Prefecture
A pamphlet about Okayama in English can be provided in a form of digital data.
Use the data and print it out, or refer to it while walking.
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- Administrative Council
- Okayama Prefectural International Tourism Theme District Inbound Promotion Meeting
c/o Okayama Prefectural Government Tourism Division
2-4-6 Uchisange, Kita-ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan 700-8570
Phone: +81-86-226-7383 / Fax: +81-86-224-2130
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