Okayama Koraku-en Garden

One of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan, Okayama Kouraku-en was built 300 years ago by Ikeda Tsunemasa, the second land lord of the Okayama Domain, as his villa. A Noh play stage and En-yotei, a living room, are at the center, many small shrines and arbors are allocated around the garden. The large lawn field, pond, miniature mountains and arbors are connected by paths and channels, which enable visitors to stroll around in the garden. Cherry blossoms in spring, colored leaves in fall and plum flowers in winter are beautiful times in a year. What’s more, floodlighting in summer and fall, and a special night exhibition, Gensotei-en, which means a fantasy garden, are very popular events. The garden is rated for three stars by the Michelin Green Guide Japan