Mifuneyama Rakuen

Mifuneyama Rakuen is a garden in Takeo Onsen, Saga Prefecture, dating back to the late Edo period. With an expansive area of about 500,000 m², it is filled with seasonal trees and flowers and offers highlights throughout the year. It is currently designated as a national monument. The mountain behind the garden resembles a Chinese-style ship, so it is also called “Tosen-yama.” It was created over about three years as a villa garden by Nabeshima Shigeyoshi, the 28th lord of the Takeo domain. In spring, about 2,000 cherry trees and 50,000 azaleas bloom; in autumn, vivid orange, red, and golden foliage colors the scenery, drawing visitors nationwide. Not only the seasonal transitions but also the dusk “magic time” offers a different view from daytime, making it a spot you may want to stroll for a full day. By public transportation, it is about 5 minutes by taxi from JR Takeo-Onsen Station (JR Sasebo Line). By car, get off at Takeo-Kitakata IC (Nagasaki Expressway) and drive about 5 km.