Tokushima｜The Feat of a Feudal Lord Breaking a Stone Slab and the Stunning Choshu-en Garden Combining Dry Landscape and Tidal Water.

Having visited Japan's three great gardens and numerous daimyo gardens, Choshu-en in Tokushima feels like discovering a hidden gem. Officially named the Former Tokushima Castle Omote Goten Garden, Choshu-en is the most significant remnant left by the Hachisuka clan of Awa Province, apart from Tokushima Castle. The garden features a dry landscape on the west side, with a 10-meter-long stone slab in the center that is now broken. Supported by smaller stones underneath, it is said that the first feudal lord, Hachisuka Iemasa, broke it with his foot to demonstrate his extraordinary strength. In the war-centric Sengoku era, such a feat carried a sense of legend and intimidation. The story dates back to 1586 during Toyotomi Hideyoshi's conquest of Shikoku. As a reward for his service, Hachisuka Iemasa was granted the Awa Province territory. Shortly after, he built Tokushima Castle in the style of a hilltop castle. The Hachisuka family's favorite garden was designed in the Azuchi-Momoyama style by samurai tea master Ueda Soko, using Awa blue stones to create a fusion of dry landscape and a spring water garden. What makes the garden unique is its tidal water feature. Sea water from the inner moat flows into the garden, creating ever-changing scenery with the tides. Ueda Soko, the designer, is still a significant figure in Japanese tea ceremony culture today. Tokushima Castle, one of Japan's top 100 castles, was abandoned after the Meiji Restoration and later suffered air raids. Today, the park is open to the public, with only the Tsukimi Yagura and Taiko Yagura remaining. The Washi Gate in front of the garden was rebuilt with private funds. The adjacent museum showcases the history and artifacts of the Hachisuka family, though photography is not allowed. The garden's entrance fee is only 50 yen, and the museum costs 300 yen—an affordable experience not to be missed. 📍Address: 1-9 Tokushimacho Jonai, Tokushima, 770-0851 Japan 🚗 JR Tokushima Station, a 10-minute walk away.