Korakuen (後楽園, Kōrakuen) is a beautiful landscape garden and Okayama's main attraction. Along with Kanazawa's Kenrokuen and Mito's Kairakuen, Korakuen is ranked as one of Japan's three best landscape gardens. It is located just beside Okayama Castle, which can be seen from the garden as "borrowed scenery".

The local feudal lord ordered the construction of Korakuen in 1687 as a place of entertainment for the ruling family and a location for receiving important guests. Occasionally, the public was permitted to enter the garden.

In 1884, a few years after the end of the feudal era, Korakuen became the property of Okayama Prefecture and was opened to the public. The garden suffered damage from floods in 1934 and bombing during the war, but it has always been restored to its original state thanks to the accurate records kept by the garden's designers.

Korakuen is a spacious garden that incorporates the typical features of a Japanese landscape garden, including a large pond, streams, walking paths and a hill that serves as a lookout point. Rather unique for a Japanese garden, however, are Korakuen's spacious lawns. Also found in the garden are groves of plum, cherry and maple trees, tea and rice fields, an archery range and a crane aviary.

Getting there and around

Korakuen has two entrance gates: a main gate beside the Prefectural Museum and a south gate near the bridge that crosses to Okayama Castle.

Korakuen is about 1.5 kilometers or a 25-30 minute walk east of Okayama Station. Trams on the Higashiyama Line can be taken to Shiroshita stop (5 minutes, 120 yen one way, frequent departures) from where the garden's south gate can be reached in a 10-15 minute walk. Alternatively, the Korakuen Bus (currently out of service) connects the station with the garden's main gate in a little over ten minutes (100 yen one way, 2 buses/hour).

How to get to and around Okayama

Hours and Fees

Hours

Closed

Admission

Typical Visit Duration

Hotels around Okayama

Top rated in Okayama
Budget:
    • 3 Wellness
      Mid-range
      Set in Okayama, within 3.4 km of Rian Bunko Art Museum and 3.7 km of Kuni Shrine, 3 Wellness offers accommodation with a shared lounge and free WiFi throughout the property as well as free private parking for guests who drive. This 3-star hotel offers luggage storage space. Sky Mall 21 Shopping Street is 4.3 km away and Okayama Baptist Church is 4.4 km from the hotel. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Some rooms also feature a kitchen with a dishwasher. At 3 Wellness the rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. AEON Mall Okayama is 4.1 km from the accommodation, while Shimoishii Park is 4.1 km from the property. Okayama Airport is 16 km away.
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    • Hotel Granvia Okayama
      Luxury
      Directly connected to JR Okayama Station, Granvia Okayama is a 15-minute train ride from Kurashiki. It offers restaurants with 19th-floor views, an indoor pool with a sauna, as well as rooms with free WiFi and free wired internet. Each air-conditioned room at Hotel Granvia Okayama is equipped with bath and shower facilities, a flat-screen TV and a hairdryer. All rooms are also fitted with an electric kettle. The hotel is a 5-minute drive from Koraku-en Garden and Okayama Castle. An hour’s train ride takes guests to Shikoku Island. Kibitsu Shrine is a 20-minute drive away. French cuisine is served at Prix d'Or Restaurant, featuring panoramic views. Kibizen Restaurant offers seasonal Japanese foods. Chinese dishes and teppan-yaki are also available. Sky Lounge Applause offers beautiful views from floor-to-ceiling windows.
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    • Dormy Inn Okayama Natural Hot Spring
      Mid-range
      Attractively situated in the Kita Ward district of Okayama, Dormy Inn Okayama Natural Hot Spring is situated 200 metres from Nishigawa Canal Park, 200 metres from Okayama Baptist Church and 400 metres from AEON Mall Okayama. Featuring a restaurant, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. Private parking is available on site. The rooms in the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. At Dormy Inn Okayama Natural Hot Spring rooms have bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. At Dormy Inn Okayama Natural Hot Spring guests are welcome to take advantage of a sauna and a spa centre. Speaking English and Japanese at the reception, staff are willing to help at any time of the day. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Kongo-ji Temple, Kochin-ji Temple and Okayama-ji Temple. Okayama Airport is 16 km from the property.
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    • Okayama Koraku Hotel
      Mid-range
      Just a 5-minute walk from JR Okayama Train Station, Okayama Koraku Hotel offers modern rooms with free wired internet and a flat-screen TV. Guests can enjoy massages and free-use bicycles. This hotel was selected as one of the Top Romance Hotels in Japan by TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Award 2015. The air-conditioned rooms at Koraku Hotel include a private bathroom with bathtub and amenities. Slippers, a fridge and a seating area are provided. Each room has a humidifier. Nishigawa Ryokudo Koen Tram Station is just a 1-minute walk from the hotel. Okayama Castle is 1.5 km away, and Okayama Koraku-en Garden is about a 15-minute walk away. The 24-hour reception offers luggage storage. A free-use microwave and coin-operated launderette are provided. TOMOE Restaurant offers a buffet-style breakfast featuring Japanese and Western dishes from 06:30-10:00.
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    • Torii-Kuguru
      Budget-friendly
      In the Kita Ward district of Okayama, close to Rian Bunko Art Museum, Torii-Kuguru has a garden and a washing machine. This 1-star guest house offers luggage storage space and a housekeeping service. The accommodation features bicycle parking and a shared lounge for guests. Featuring a shared bathroom, units at the guest house also feature free WiFi. A bicycle rental service is available at the guest house. Popular points of interest near Torii-Kuguru include Kuni Shrine, Houkancho Shopping Street and Sci-pia: Science and Humanity Museum For The Future. Okayama Airport is 14 km from the property.
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    • Hotel Abest Grande Okayama
      Mid-range
      Set 300 metres from Nishigawa Canal Park, Hotel Abest Grande Okayama offers 3-star accommodation in Okayama and features a fitness centre, a shared lounge and a bar. The property is close to Kongo-ji Temple, Kochin-ji Temple and Kotohira Shrine. The hotel has a sauna, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi throughout the property. At the hotel, every room includes a desk and a flat-screen TV. A business centre and vending machines with drinks are available on site at Hotel Abest Grande Okayama. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Komori Shrine, Sky Mall 21 Shopping Street and Okayama-ji Temple. Okayama Airport is 17 km away.
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    • Via Inn Okayama
      Mid-range
      Conveniently located in the Kita Ward district of Okayama, Via Inn Okayama is set 500 metres from Houkancho Shopping Street, 600 metres from AEON Mall Okayama and 400 metres from Sky Mall 21 Shopping Street. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. All guest rooms come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. The hotel offers an American or Asian breakfast. Popular points of interest near Via Inn Okayama include Okayama Baptist Church, Momotaro Statue and Rokkosei Memorial Statue. The nearest airport is Okayama Airport, 15 km from the accommodation.
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    • ANA Crowne Plaza Okayama, an IHG Hotel
      Luxury
      Located in downtown Okayama, ANA Crowne Plaza Okayama offers comfortable and bright rooms with free WiFi, only 2-minute walk from JR Okayama Station West Exit. It features 3 dining options and a 24-hour reception, while concierge services and currency exchange are available. Okayama ANA Crowne Plaza is a few steps from the Okayama Convention Centre and the well-known Takashimaya department store. The Koraku-en is a 10-minute taxi ride, and Okayama Airport is a 30-minute drive. Rooms have an interior in relaxing beige tones, with contrasting dark wooden furnishings and curtains. They come with wide and extra-long beds, a flat-screen TV and a refrigerator. A safe, nightwear and toiletries are provided. The Hotel ANA Crowne Plaza provides laundry services and luggage storage. The lobby offers free WiFi, and rental facilities are available for in-room use, such as a DVD player, an air humidifier or a trouser press. A car rental company and a minimart can be found next door. Japanese dishes can be enjoyed at the backdrop of the city skyline, at top-floor Japanese Restaurant Kuriya-sen. Sky Bar & Lounge is also located on the 20th floor. Casual dining URBANO serves Western dishes.
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    • Smile Hotel Okayama
      Mid-range
      Situated conveniently in the Kita Ward district of Okayama, Smile Hotel Okayama is set 300 metres from Yakushi-in Temple, 300 metres from Okayama-ji Temple and 200 metres from Kongo-ji Temple. The property is around 400 metres from Nishigawa Canal Park, 600 metres from Okayama Kinshu Kaikan and 700 metres from Shimoishii Park. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. The units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kettle, a bidet, a hairdryer and a desk. All rooms are equipped with a private bathroom with a shower and slippers. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Kochin-ji Temple, Komori Shrine and Kotohira Shrine. Okayama Airport is 17 km away.
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    • Hotel agehA cinq boutique (Adult Only)
      Budget-friendly
      Located within 4.1 km of Hashihime Inari Daimyojin Shrine and 4.7 km of Shimoishii Park, Hotel agehA cinq boutique (Adult Only) provides rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Okayama. With free WiFi, this 2-star love hotel offers room service and a 24-hour front desk. Kyobashi no Kyokyakuato is 4.8 km from the love hotel and Okayama Baptist Church is 4.8 km away. Each room is fitted with a private bathroom with a bidet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. Guest rooms in the love hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV and slippers. The wellness area at Hotel agehA cinq boutique (Adult Only) is comprised of a sauna and a hot tub. Okayama-ji Temple is 5 km from the accommodation, while Kongo-ji Temple is 5 km away. The nearest airport is Okayama Airport, 21 km from Hotel agehA cinq boutique (Adult Only).
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Experiences around Okayama