Sengan-en Garden: Where the Shimazu Clan Lords Lived in Style

The Sengan-en Garden (also known as Isoteien Garden) is a famous garden in Kagoshima City, Kyushu, Japan. It was built in 1658 by Shimazu Mitsuhisa, the 19th lord of the Satsuma Domain. Highlights: 🔸"Borrowed scenery": Sengan-en is famous for its shakkei (borrowed scenery) technique, which skillfully incorporates the natural landscapes of Sakurajima volcano and Kinko Bay into the garden design, creating a unique visual effect. 🔹Architectural style: The garden blends elements of traditional Japanese gardens and Chinese gardens. It features ponds, rockeries, stone lanterns, tea houses, and other elements, showcasing the superb level of garden art during the Edo period. 📺The Japanese historical drama Atsuhime was filmed here. Atsuhime, the adopted daughter of Shimazu Nariakira, lived in Sengan-en before marrying into the Tokugawa shogunate. She played a key role in the peaceful transition of the Meiji Restoration. If you're interested, you can watch this drama before your visit. 🍽Dining recommendation: We recommend dining at the Ohkatei restaurant in the garden, which faces Kinko Bay and Sakurajima.