Must-Visit in Okayama: Korakuen, One of Japan's Three Great Gardens

Okayama Korakuen, one of Japan's three great gardens, is a must-visit spot when traveling to Okayama. My first encounter with Korakuen was during a road trip from Hiroshima to Kyoto, making a special stop in Okayama City to explore this strolling garden that has existed since the Edo period. Korakuen spans a vast area of 133,000 square meters, and its natural beauty throughout the changing seasons is simply breathtaking. The garden features ponds, artificial hills, plum groves, and tea fields, enhancing its natural charm. The historical buildings from the Edo period, such as Enyo-tei, Renchi-ken, Yuishin-zan, Ryuten, and Hananoike, also attract many visitors. Korakuen boasts blooming flowers all year round. In winter, you can see plum blossoms; in spring, Yoshino cherry blossoms, azaleas, peonies, and peonies; and there are even chrysanthemum displays with flowers as big as faces, which are quite impressive. Korakuen is just a bridge away from Okayama Castle, and you can enjoy a distant view of this beautiful castle. You can buy a combo ticket to visit both, with Korakuen's entrance fee at ¥500 and the combo ticket with Okayama Castle at ¥720, which is quite a bargain.