Korakuen (後楽園, Kōrakuen) is one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan. And that’s not just my personal opinion - this garden is in fact listed as one of the “The Three Great Gardens of Japan” (日本三名園 Nihon Sanmeien). The park is located in central Okayama, a major city in western Japan, situated between Osaka and Hiroshima.
Korakuen was completed more than 300 years ago, when the local Daimyo ordered his men to build a beautiful garden near Okayama Castle. It took them more than 13 years to complete the construction, but considering that we can still enjoy the fruits of their labour, I’d say that’s time well invested. In total, Korakuen covers around 133000 square meters, making it one of the biggest man-made gardens in Japan. It has been destroyed several times throughout history, most recently by bombings during World War II, but it has always been restored to its former glory, based on paintings and maps that date back its original construction.
I’ve visited Korakuen several times, most recently this summer when I was invited to a press tour to Okayama Prefecture as a part of their efforts to boost tourism to the region. Since my first visit I’ve been a big fan of the place, so I always make sure to stop by Korakuen for a relaxing walk whenever I end up in Okayama. I strongly suggest that you do the same.
