Kōraku-en

Kōraku-en (後楽園 Kōrakuen), is a Japanese garden located in Okayama, Okayama Prefecture. It is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, along with Kenroku-en and Kairaku-en. Korakuen was built in 1700 by Ikeda Tsunamasa, lord of Okayama. The garden's form almost had turned into the modern form in 1863.[]

This article is about a garden located in Okayama, for the garden in Tokyo see Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

</sup></span>)</span>]] Kōraku-en (後楽園 Kōrakuen), is a Japanese garden located in Okayama, Okayama Prefecture. It is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, along with Kenroku-en and Kairaku-en. Korakuen was built in 1700 by Ikeda Tsunamasa, lord of Okayama. The garden's form almost had turned into the modern form in 1863.[]

History

In 1687, the daimyo Ikeda Tsunamasa ordered Tsuda Nagatada to begin construction of the Korakuen. It was completed in 1700 and has retained its original appearance to the present day, except for a few changes by various daimyo. The Korakuen is one of the few daimyo gardens in the provinces where historical change can be observed, thanks to the many Edo period paintings and Ikeda family records and documents left behind. The garden was used as a place for entertaining important guests and also as a spa of sorts for daimyo, although regular folk could visit on certain days.

In 1884, ownership was transferred to Okayama Prefecture and the garden was opened to the public. The garden suffered severe damage during the floods of 1934 and during World War 2 bombing in 1945, but has been restored based on Edo period paintings and diagrams. In 1952, the Korakuen was designated as a "Special Scenic Location" under the Cultural Properties Protection Law and is managed as a historical cultural asset to be passed to future generations.

Gallery

Trivia

  • The total area of the garden is approximately 133,000 square meters.
  • The grassy area is approximately 18,500 square meters.
  • The length of the stream is 640 meters.
  • The garden was originally called Koen ("later garden") because it was built after Okayama Castle. However, since the garden was built in the spirit of "sen-yu-koraku" ("grieve earlier than others, enjoy later than others"), the name was changed to Korakuen in 1871.
  • 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.

See also

  • List of Special Places of Scenic Beauty, Special Historic Sites and Special Natural Monuments

External links

Coordinates: 34°40′04″N 133°56′06″E / 34.66778°N 133.935°E / 34.66778; 133.935

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Yiling Ding
16 July 2016
One of the top three gardens in Japan. Spectacular views.
Billy Leung
3 December 2016
very nice scenic garden in okayama. one of japan's nicest garden
K B
12 November 2018
Japanese rate it as one of the top 3 gardens in Japan. It’s very nice but I prefer smaller gardens with more trees or flowers and less lawn. I’d probably rate it as in the top 30 but not a must see
mikuri3
28 October 2014
駐車場は蓬莱橋を渡ってすぐを左側へ。河川敷と2段になっていて正門近くから埋まるので奧へ行くとかなり歩きます。駐車場入口近くに事前精算機があるので駐車チケット持って行った方が良い。でも、1時間100円だからまず大丈夫かな。奥の方へ停めたら南門が近いかも。
Nao
31 December 2015
後楽園内には茶畑があり、毎年5月第3日曜には、茶つみ祭が行われます。緑茶の一番茶はこの直後、一瞬にして完売するそうですが、紅茶として福田茶屋で売られていました。¥500。
Atsunari Sugano
9 July 2011
日本三名園のひとつ、岡山後楽園の幻想庭園 まもなく ^^。正門より入園。石橋わたれば揺らめくロウソクの灯りで庭園は幻想的に彩られ。歴史を紡いだオブジェクトが浮かび上がる憧憬は、まさに幽玄のそれ。 幻想庭園の光に酔い知れ、ツイートしてみませんか? 後楽園 “ 幻想庭園 ” なう☆期間 2011年7月29日(金曜日)~8月15日(月曜日)  開園時間 21時半まで延長(※入園は21時ま
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Map
0.1km from 1-7 Kōrakuen, Kita-ku, Okayama-shi, Okayama-ken 703-8257, Japan Get directions
Mon-Sun 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

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