Shukkeien Garden is a Japanese Garden in Hiroshima city and designated as a National Scenic Beauty. It is also selected as one of the 100 best historical parks in Japan (日本の歴史公園100選).
It was built in 1620 at the beginning of the Edo period. It was destroyed by the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945, however the Restoration was completed in about 30 years from 1949, and here it is.
The feature of this garden is that various flowers bloom and events are held depending on the season.
Admission fee
General : 260 yen
Students (high school and university) : 150 yen
Students (elementary and junior high) : 100 yen
Seniors (Age 65 and older) : Free
Opening hours
9:00 ～ 18:00 (April through September)
9:00 ～ 17:00 (October through March)
※ Closed December 29 through December 31
Attraction
The vast grounds include ponds with large and small islands, hills, valleys and tea room and etc. Introduce some of the attractions.
After passing through the entrance gate, you can buy souvenirs and eat light meals at “Sensuitei” on your left. It is also a popular spot that is also used as a resting place.
After passing the ticket counter and Sensui-tei, you can see a Japanese garden.
・ Seifu-kan (清風館)
・ Koko-kyo (跨虹橋)
・ Eiha- kyo (映波橋), Shosen-kyo (昇仙橋), Boshun-kyo (望春橋)
・ Yuyu-tei (悠々亭)
・ Meigetsu-tei (明月亭)
Seifu-kan (清風館)
Seifu-kan is a wooden one-story tea room that is popular as a representative building of Shukkeien. It is located in the central part of the garden, and it is believed that the other buildings location around the garden were arranged based on the Seifukan. Normally, the inside is not open to the public, and you can enter it only during events such as tea parties.
Koko-kyo (跨虹橋)
Koko-kyo bridge is a stone arched bridge over the center of the Takueichi pond (濯纓池) and is like a symbol of Shukkeien. It is one of the few buildings in the garden that has existed since before world war Ⅱ and withstood the blast of the atomic bomb.
This bridge is also famous as a feeding spot for carp. Therefore, you can always see a lot of carp around here.
Carp feed is sold for 100 yen in the garden. If you are interested, I recommend that you buy it. You would surely see red, white, gold, and large and small carps gathering together.
Eiha- kyo (映波橋), Shosen-kyo (昇仙橋), Boshun-kyo (望春橋)
Three arched bridges, Eiha- kyo, Shosen-kyo, and Boshun-kyo, are connected at different angles. After crossing the bridge, there is Yuyu-tei.
Yuyu-tei (悠々亭)
Yuyu-tei is a one-story building, built by the pond, and looks like it is floating on the water. There used to be tea ceremonies and singing parties here.
You may be able to take stylish photos from inside Yuyu-tei.
Meigetsu-tei (明月亭)
It is a sukiya-style (数寄屋造り) tea room, Meigetsu-tei, the roots of the name is a place to appreciate the moon. It is characteristic that the shape of the window is the wheel.
Season and Event
At Shukkeien, various seasonal flowers such as cherry blossoms in spring, fresh green trees in summer, autumn leaves in autumn, and plums and camellia in winter decorate the landscape of the garden.
Spring
In spring, various flowers such as cherry blossoms, azaleas, and camellias are in full bloom. Especially for cherry blossoms, about 110 trees of 9 species are planted in the park. Since the flowering time differs slightly depending on the species, they bloom in order from Kawazuzakura to Higanzakura, Usuzumizakura, and Someiyoshino.
Event
※Currently, most of the event are not held due to the influence of COVID-19.
Cherry Blossom Festival (桜祭り : Sakura Matsuri)
Period : the end of March ～ the beginning of April
Detail : During the period, the opening hours is extended and the cherry blossoms is lit up at night. A Japanese-style cafe is also opened and Kimono wearing experience is held.
Cherry-blossom tea party (観桜茶会 : Kanou Chakai)
Period : the beginning of April Sunday
Detail : A tea party is held under the cherry blossoms that herald spring.
Tea picking festival (茶摘まつり : Chatsumi Matsuri)
Period : the end of April
Detail : Reproduce the tea picking event that has been held for a long time. A tea party is held at the same time.
Summer
In summer, fresh green trees spread throughout the garden. You can also see summer flowers such as water lilies and hydrangeas.
Event
※Currently, most of the event are not held due to the influence of COVID-19.
Irist tea party (しょうぶ茶会 : Shoubu Chakai)
Period : the beginning of June Sunday
Detail : It is a tea party with sencha held when the irises are in bloom.
Rice planting festival (田植まつり : Taue Matsuri)
Period : the middle of June
Detail : In prayer for a good harvest reproduce the rice planting event that has been held for a long time. A tea party is held at the same time.
Tanabata tea party (七夕茶会 : Tanabata Chakai)
Period : the beginning of July
Detail : It is a tea party that is held according to the Japanese event Tanabata.
Memorial ceremony for victims of the atomic bomb (原爆犠牲者慰霊供養式 : Genbaku Giseisha Irei Kuyou Shiki)
Period : the beginning of August
Detail : This memorial ceremony is held every year to express our condolences to all the victims of the atomic bomb, including those who were victims in Shukkeien, and to pray for permanent peace in the world.
Autumn
In autumn, the autumn leaves turn bright red. Shukkeien has many autumnal trees on the waterside. The surface of the water that reflects the autumn leaves also turns red, and the entire area of the garden is colored vividly. Opening hours is extended during the Momiji Festival, and the autumn leaves will be lit up until 21:00. (the middle of November ～ the end of November, the beginning December)
Event
※Currently, most of the event are not held due to the influence of COVID-19.
Keiro tea party (敬老茶会 : Keiro Chakai)
Period : the middle of September
Detail : A tea party is held in honor of “Respect for the Aged Day (敬老の日 : Keirounohi)” to celebrate the longevity of the senior who have worked for many years.
Moon-viewing tea party (観月茶会 : Kangetsu Chakai)
Period : the middle of September
Detail : It is a tea party held while loving the harvest moon.
Komo-maki to the pine (松のこも巻き : Matsu no Komo-maki)
Period : the middle of October
Detail : Wrap a Komo around the trunk of a pine tree to attract pest larvae as a wintering place. Komo is removed in early March and disposed of with the larvae. The photo below is a Komo.
Chrysanthemum flower exhibition (菊花展 : Kikka ten)
Period : the beginning of November to the middle of November
Detail : Works by Hiroshima chrysanthemum lovers is exhibited in the garden.
Kikumi tea party (菊見茶会 : Kikumi Chakai)
Period : the beginning of November
Detail : It is a tea party held in the fragrant garden of chrysanthemums, which represents autumn in Japan.
Komo-maki to the cycad (ソテツのこも巻き : Sotetsu no Komo-maki)
Period : the beginning of November
Detail : As a measure to protect the cycads from the cold in winter, wrap the cycads in the garden.
Momiji tea party (もみじ茶会 : Momiji Chakai)
Period : the beginning of November
Detail : It is a tea party of sencha held according to the season when the deciduous trees in the garden are beautifully colored.
Winter
In winter, you can see flowers such as plums and camellias in the garden. In the plum grove, more than 113 plums of about 19 species such as Shirokaga (白加賀) and Yaekankoubai (八重寒紅梅) are planted. Also, the garden with pure white snow is very elegant and tasteful.
Event
※Currently, most of the event are not held due to the influence of COVID-19.
Plum blossom viewing tea party (梅見祭り : Umemi Chakai)
Period : the middle of February
Detail : It is an annual tea party held according to the flowering of plum blossoms.
Peach blossom viewing tea party (桃見祭り : Momomi Chakai)
Period : the middle of March
Detail : It is a tea party with sencha that started in 1989 when the peaches were restored and planted.
Access
You can access Shukkeien on foot, by bus, or by tram from Hiroshima Station.
If you access on foot
Take the south exit of JR Hiroshima Station and head west. The distance is about 850m, so it takes about 10 minutes. The time required is the same as when using a bus or tram, so I recommend walking. I think it’s fun to walk while looking at the city of Hiroshima.
If you use the Tram
① JR Hiroshima Station, South Exit A Platform, No.1, 2 and 6 tram
↓
② Transfer to the Hakushima Line at Hatchobori Station
↓
③ Get off at Shukkeien-mae Station
Time : about 10 minutes
Fare : 220 yen (adult), 110 yen (child)
If you use the bus
From the south exit of JR Hiroshima Station, take the Hiroshima Bus 26 toward Hijiyamabashi / Asahimachi (bus stop No. 21)
↓
Get off at Shukkeien Iriguchi
Time : about 7 minutes
Fare : 180 yen (adult), 90 yen (child)
Summary
I introduced Shukkeien, but how was it? I hope you are interested in it. Shukkeien has various attractions depending on the season. Therefore, even if you have been there once, you can enjoy it as many times as you like. I personally recommend the autumn leaves. When you visit Hiroshima, Please go to Shukkeien.
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