Okayama Korakuen Garden
Okayama Korakuen Garden
4.5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
In 1687, daimyō (feudal lord) Ikeda Tsunamasa ordered his vassal Tsuda Nagatada to begin the construction of a new garden. The groundwork took 13 years until 1700, but since then the garden has retained most of its original appearance across the Edo period (1603-1868) until the present day. The garden was used as a retreat as well as a place for entertaining guests, although people of the fiefdom too could visit it on certain occasions. As time went by, successive daimyōs slightly modified the garden adding and removing hills, lawns, ponds and buildings, but the initial concept of Korakuen as a wide, bright space offering beautiful inner and outer vistas remained constant and unaltered. In 1884, the ownership of Korakuen was transferred to Okayama Prefecture and the garden was opened to the general public: since then it is carefully managed as a historical cultural asset to be passed down to future generations.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Okayama Korakuen Garden and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,334 within 3 miles
Attractions
271 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Martina1888Inverness, United Kingdom505 contributionsKorakuen GardenA scenic garden with great views of nearby Okayama Castle. It's a beautiful and relaxing place to take a stroll and enjoy your surroundings. There are lots of benches and resting places, a cafe, toilets and vending machines.Visited November 2023Traveled soloWritten November 2, 2023
- taitaihkHong Kong, China562 contributionsA must visit if in OkayamaThis is a large open garden comprising vast lawns, several ponds, a plum grove and beautiful vistas from the gentle hills. Most of the garden is on the flat and would be largely wheelchair accessible. There are plenty of benches and rest areas around the ponds. We were lucky to catch the end of the plum and cherry blossoms. Several family groups were having picnics under the trees. Would definitely recommend visiting if you enjoy Japanese gardens.Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 18, 2024
- Christian MCopenhagen, Denmark6,232 contributionsA Serene Park with Stunning Castle ViewsKorakuen Garden is renowned as one of Japan's top three landscape gardens. It truly is a sight to behold, offering tranquility as you stroll through its beauty. From the garden, you'll enjoy picturesque views of Okayama Castle, which is most captivating from the outside. Within the garden, you'll find a tea house, a snack bar, and a restaurant. A combined ticket grants access to both the castle and the garden, allowing multiple visits on the same day.Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 19, 2024
- silverspireSingapore, Singapore383 contributionsLovely garden to stop byWe visited around 4pm when the sun wasn’t so hot and this made for a very lovely stroll round the grounds. Lots to see and the garden was very well maintained. The fishes in the pond were also very well fed! Many photo opportunities and it was fun to feed the fishes too. Highly recommended! Coming in winter would probably be quite spectacular as well.Visited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten May 21, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,751 reviews
Excellent
866
Very good
681
Average
181
Poor
21
Terrible
2
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Christian M
Copenhagen, Denmark6,232 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
Korakuen Garden is renowned as one of Japan's top three landscape gardens. It truly is a sight to behold, offering tranquility as you stroll through its beauty.
From the garden, you'll enjoy picturesque views of Okayama Castle, which is most captivating from the outside.
Within the garden, you'll find a tea house, a snack bar, and a restaurant.
A combined ticket grants access to both the castle and the garden, allowing multiple visits on the same day.
From the garden, you'll enjoy picturesque views of Okayama Castle, which is most captivating from the outside.
Within the garden, you'll find a tea house, a snack bar, and a restaurant.
A combined ticket grants access to both the castle and the garden, allowing multiple visits on the same day.
Written April 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gaye N
Perth, UK517 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We crossed the bridge from Okayama castle first stopping for ice cream and coffee Black Saffron coffee was so good. Never thought we’d pay to visit gardens but, once past ticket office the gardens took our breath away beautiful and can imagine even more so as the season goes on with more beautiful plants. Lovely to wander round and we both thought just the place to come and sit relaxing with a book. Found the endangered Cranes. First time saw these birds in the flesh, we saw an egg in a nest and a mother sitting on her nest, the bigger birds assume they are the males looked a bit aggressive just as well in cages. Easy to spend a couple of hours here.
Written May 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CAFE-GQ
Kawasaki, Japan1,189 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
I took a local bus from Okayama Station and headed to Okayama Korakuen.
A few minutes walk from the bus stop, there is a ticket office where seniors over 65 can purchase tickets (older people get a better deal here than buying a set discount with Okayama Castle).
The park was vast but somehow flat and there was a small hill that you could climb by stairs. Honestly, my impression was that it was a garden with little ups and downs, so there was little change.
I think it is a place to visit at least once because it is a representative sightseeing spot in Okayama.
A few minutes walk from the bus stop, there is a ticket office where seniors over 65 can purchase tickets (older people get a better deal here than buying a set discount with Okayama Castle).
The park was vast but somehow flat and there was a small hill that you could climb by stairs. Honestly, my impression was that it was a garden with little ups and downs, so there was little change.
I think it is a place to visit at least once because it is a representative sightseeing spot in Okayama.
Automatically translated
Written June 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah
Geneva, Switzerland1,197 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
Despite the less than ideal weather conditions the day I was in Okayama and the lack, in the specific period of the visit, of particular blooms, I loved these gardens, considered among the three most beautiful in Japan.
At the entrance is given a map with the itinerary to follow and explanations.
The contiguity of the castle allows you to walk in the gardens with the view of the castle.
Very interesting also the part used for growing tea.
At the entrance is given a map with the itinerary to follow and explanations.
The contiguity of the castle allows you to walk in the gardens with the view of the castle.
Very interesting also the part used for growing tea.
Automatically translated
Written August 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mon_poke_11
Singapore, Singapore58 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
Beautiful garden. I entered from the South Gate, after crossing the bridge from the castle. It’s very near, even if you stroll it’s less than 10mins. You can buy the ticket that covers both the castle and Korakuen, it’s slightly cheaper. The air here is so fresh and it just felt so relaxing.
Written June 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
みずち
Ota, Japan905 contributions
Oct 2024 • Solo
It is about a 10-minute walk from the castle town tram stop. It is about a 30-minute walk from Okayama Station.
It is one of the three best gardens in Japan, and there is a 6-meter-high mountain in the center of the garden, which provides a panoramic view of the park.
There is also a set ticket with the surrounding facilities, so you can enjoy other spots besides Korakuen.
It is one of the three best gardens in Japan, and there is a 6-meter-high mountain in the center of the garden, which provides a panoramic view of the park.
There is also a set ticket with the surrounding facilities, so you can enjoy other spots besides Korakuen.
Automatically translated
Written October 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
akashi-rokuro
17,433 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
In order to sightsee along the route that goes from Okayama Castle to Okayama Korakuen to Okayama Prefectural Museum, I crossed Tsukimi Bridge, bought a shared ticket with the Okayama Prefectural Museum at the south gate, and entered the park. Since it was late February, there weren't many flowers in bloom, but I was able to see a collaboration of late-blooming Japanese plums and Japanese plums. After walking around the park, I exited from the main gate and went to the Okayama Prefectural Museum.
Written March 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PandaHouston
Houston, TX6,119 contributions
Dec 2019
We came to Okayama on Sunday, December 29. We took the train from Fukuoka's Hakata Station to Okayama. The journey took around 1 hour and 40 minutes. Once in Okayama, we used the Street Car to get around, including getting to Korakuen Garden.
Entrance to the Korakuen is 410 yen. The park itself is not that big. We spent around an hour walking around. The gardens are very well maintained and very picturesque. It is ranked as one of Japan's 3 best landscape garden. Well worth a visit if you are in Okayama.
Entrance to the Korakuen is 410 yen. The park itself is not that big. We spent around an hour walking around. The gardens are very well maintained and very picturesque. It is ranked as one of Japan's 3 best landscape garden. Well worth a visit if you are in Okayama.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zimminaroundtheworld
Okinawa Prefecture, Japan1,982 contributions
Dec 2020
I've heard that Korakuen Garden is a must when visiting Japan, so I visited these gardens after touring the castle. I came here in the evening before it got dark. This time of year they had holiday lights throughout the gardens which were very pretty. At night, the lights were brilliant. Although this garden was very pretty, I felt that I've been to a few others that blew me away and this one was nice but not as interesting as other gardens. There were lovely ponds and streams and a lot of open space. I feel during the day it wouldn't be as exciting. I still recommend visiting these gardens, they were beautiful but I expected more.
Written December 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
みるく
Tokyo, Japan338 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
I had planned to take my time to look around, but due to heavy snowfall in Tokyo on this day only, the flight I had booked was canceled. I changed to an earlier flight, so I ran out of time and went at 8am and only looked around for an hour. I actually wanted to have tea while looking at the garden, but it was too early in the morning and the shop was not open. What a shame. It's a very beautiful garden, so I wanted to enjoy it more. I had a quick look around in the rain, but it was refreshing and very good. If I go again, I'd like to take my time on a revenge trip.
Written March 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
岡山県後楽園事務所
Okayama, Japan
開園時間は、3月20日から9月30日、午前7時30分から午後6時(入園は午後5時45分まで)、10月1日から3月19日、午前8時から午後5時(入園は午後4時45分まで)です。宜しくお願い致します。
Written July 4, 2023
Buonasera a tutti. Stiamo pianificando un viaggio in Giappone con la mia ragazza e vorremmo sapere se i giardini di Okayama e Kanazawa sono in qualche modo somiglianti, così eventualmente da toglierne uno al nostro viaggio.
Chiedo unicamente in base ai giardini e non alle eventuali cose che sono comunque nelle zone circostanti, questo per avere un'idea precisa di cosa andremmo a vedere.
Vi ringrazio per le risposte.
Written August 18, 2020
岡山県後楽園事務所
Okayama, Japan
Grazie per la domanda.
Al contrario dei giardini di Kyoto, molto belli ma molto somiglianti fra loro, i tre giardini Kenrokuen di Kanazawa, Kairakuen di Mito e Korakuen di Okayama sono tradizionalmente considerati i tre giardini piu' importanti del Giappone per le loro rispettive caratteristiche, ovvero sono diversissimi fra loro e riassumono tutti gli altri giardini del Giappone. Per esempio, il giardino di Kanazawa e' su un terreno mosso, quello di Mito e' in discesa sul fianco di una collina, e quello di Okayama e' su una pianura. Il giardino di Mito e' molto stagionale (a febbraio c'e' la spettacolare fioritura degli ume, il resto dell'anno e' verde), mentre quello di Okayama ha piante studiate per fiorire 365 giorni all'anno. Il giardino di Kanazawa e' molto fitto, sembra un bosco montano, mentre quello di Okayama e' un grande prato aperto con molti edifici storici intorno in cui entrare e ammirare il panorama, che si estende anche fuori dai confini del giardino perche' ci sono delle precise aperture fra gli alberi che consentono di vedere il paesaggio circostante.
In pratica tutti e tre valgono la visita! Okayama in particolare offre anche il relativo castello e il borgo di Kurashiki, che formano un unico percorso storico da '500 all'800.
Per qualunque altra informazione non esitate a scriverci di nuovo. Buon viaggio in Giappone!
Written August 25, 2020
okayamakorakuen
Okayama, Japan
About 1hour.
But it depends on your schedule.Thank you.
Written November 9, 2019
Hi - is anyone able to advise what time on New Year's Day the cranes are released in the park? Leaving Okayama that day but don't want to miss, if possible
Written December 25, 2018
岡山県後楽園事務所
Okayama, Japan
Thank you for your question.
The red-crowned cranes are released in the garden twice a month from September to February, and in particular on January 1 and 3 to celebrate the New Year. The release is usually performed from 10:00 to 14:00, but the schedule may change due to a number of issues, so please always check it in advance on Korakuen's official website and social network pages.
Have a good time in Okayama!
Written August 25, 2020
feibeljane
Saint Louis, Missouri
How long should I allow for a walk around the Garden?
Written June 29, 2016
Showing results 1-5 of 5
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing