Shūrakuen Garden

The Former Tsuyama Domain Villa Garden is a Japanese garden that was named Shurakuen after the Meiji Restoration, and it is a valuable cultural property designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty. Its history is long, going back as far as the 1650s. It was created on the orders of Morinagatsugu, the lord of the Tsuyama Domain at the time, and later became the domain’s formal audience hall. It is said to have been built even earlier than Korakuen Garden (also in Okayama Prefecture). Beautiful scenery can be enjoyed in every season, and it is especially stunning in April with cherry blossoms, in May with azaleas, and in October with autumn foliage—tourist numbers increase around those peak periods. While some structures such as Yōhōkaku and the Guest House have been restored, in general there are few artificial elements, and the design focuses on enjoying nature. Inside the garden, there is a pond with four small islands and a 210-meter meandering stream, both of which further enhance the beauty of the plants. Since you can tour such a wonderful garden for free, it’s well worth stopping by when you are nearby. A dedicated parking lot is available, and up to 130 cars can park for free, so visiting by car is also easy.