JAPANESE GARDENS

Japanese gardens (Kanji 日本庭園, nihon teien) are seen in temples, some seen in ruins of feudal lords’ mansions and others seen in residences of politicians and businesspeople. In addition, some of them were created in sites of public facilities and hotels.

Commonly, Japanese gardens have pond in the centre, and inequalities of the ground or artificial hills on which garden stones, trees and plants are placed, in order to represent seasonal changes in the scenery. One of the popular techniques used in the gardens are the technique to express the way the water flows from deep in the mountains and gradually becomes bigger stream by creating artificial water falls. There are also popular technique to stand and combine rocks and stones, and technique to imitate Penglaishan, a crane island, and a turtle island in order to add religious meaning the garden. Lanterns, arbours and tea houses are also often placed throughout. Since the Muromachi era, gardens in which water current is expressed not by using water but by stones, sand and plants have appeared. This technique is called “dry landscape” style. After the Edo Period, the technique called “borrowed scenery”, which takes advantage of the landscape outside the garden, was also used.

Korakuen Garden

Korakuen Garden (後楽園) is one of Japan's official Three Great Gardens and hence Okayama's number one attraction. The name means "Garden of Pleasure After", a reference to a famous Confucian quote stating that a wise ruler must attend to his subjects' needs first and only then attend to his own. Entering through the South Gate, the first impression is that of a giant lawn, crisscrossed with wide paths and the occasional teahouse to break the monotony. But the interesting stuff is lurking on the sides: waterfalls, tiny shrines, miniature maple forests, a lotus pond, even a greenhouse filled with orchids and cacti. Cross the Moon-Viewing Bridge (Tsukimi-kyo) from the front of Okayama Castle to get in. Entry ¥350, open 8 AM to 5 PM daily.