Kokoen Garden is one of Japan’s most beautiful. Many going to Himeji Castle never see it – a complete tragedy. Come see why.
Actually, Kokoen is made up of nine distinct gardens, and you could spend hours enjoying the beautiful design and flowers – with Himeji Castle as a backdrop. Koko-en was constructed in 1992, over an excavated site of samurai homes. The whole area of Kokoen covers about 3.5 hectares and the gardens are made using the same techniques used during the Edo Period (1600-1868).
The main part of the garden is the Nishi-Oyashiki or Lord’s West Residence and is arguably the most beautiful of the nine. You can see all of them here though and the names are literal translations of the Japanese titles.
1. Garden of the Lord’s Residence
2. Garden of Seedlings
3. Tea Ceremony Garden
4. Flat Landscape Garden
5. Garden of Summer Trees
6. Garden of Pine Trees
7. Garden with a Hill & Pond
8. Garden of Bamboo
9. Garden of Flowers
Koko-en is about a 5 minute walk west of Himeji Castle. Open 9 AM – 5 PM (last entry 4:30). Get the combination ticket with Himeji Castle for ¥1040 and visiting one of the places is virtually free. To get the combo ticket you need to ask at the ticket counter, not the vending machines selling tickets.
If you haven’t seen it yet, don’t miss seeing Himeji Castle as well here:
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