Kousetsuen

Hakodate Kōsetsu-en is a traditional Japanese garden located in the southern part of Hakodate, Hokkaido. The garden was established in 1898 during the Meiji era by a wealthy merchant named Iwafune Takubei, who sought to create a private retreat inspired by classical Japanese landscape design principles. The name Kōsetsu-en translates to "Garden of Fragrant Snow," reflecting the aesthetic ideal of finding beauty in seasonal transformations, particularly the pristine quality of Hokkaido's winters.

The garden exemplifies the kaiyū-shiki or strolling garden style, where visitors follow winding paths around a central pond to discover carefully composed scenic viewpoints. The design incorporates traditional elements including stone lanterns, wooden bridges, a tea house, and meticulously pruned pine trees that frame views of the surrounding landscape. The garden represents an important example of how Western influences and Hokkaido's distinct climate shaped Japanese garden design during the modernization period of the late 19th century.

Visitors can experience the garden's seasonal transformations throughout the year. Spring brings cherry blossoms and azaleas, summer offers lush green landscapes and irises around the pond, autumn transforms the maples into vibrant reds and golds, and winter covers the garden in snow that creates the "fragrant snow" atmosphere that inspired its name.

The tea house occasionally hosts traditional tea ceremonies that can be reserved in advance, providing insight into Japanese cultural practices. Photography enthusiasts particularly appreciate the garden during early morning hours when mist rises from the pond. Admission is ¥300 for adults and ¥150 for children, with slightly higher fees during special exhibition periods.

Hakodate Kōsetsu-en is located approximately 4 kilometers from central Hakodate. The garden can be reached by taking the Hakodate Bus from Hakodate Station, with the journey taking about 15 minutes to the Kōsetsu-en-mae stop. Alternatively, a taxi ride from the station costs approximately ¥1,500-2,000.