What other travelers are saying about Tajima Highland Botanical Garden
I think this place is best visited in spring or autumn, when the colors of the leaves, flowers, and grass truly come alive—it’s a beautiful sight that will amaze you. The stream running through the garden is peaceful, cold, and refreshing.
Make sure to bring an empty water bottle so you can fill it with fresh water from the 'Katsura' water source. If you forget, you can buy empty bottles or 2L plastic water bags at the shop before entering the garden.
When I visited in mid-April, many trees had recently been chopped down, so parts of the area looked a bit messy and bare. There was still some snow left, but only in the upper parts of the garden.
If you plan to walk off the main path, I recommend wearing shoes with good grip, as the ground can be slippery with dirt and dry or wet leaves.
Dogs are allowed, and there’s a café, a souvenir shop, and toilets available on-site. There’s also plenty of parking space.
The impressive giant Katsura tree at Wa-ike Pond ☆
This is a relaxing spot we visit every year.
Beautiful flowers bloom in the spring, the cool air in the summer, the autumn leaves, and the magical scenery in the winter are soothing.
We enjoy the scenery in every season ♪
The spring water is cold and delicious, with a mild, mellow taste. (^^)
I'd love to experience a walk in snowshoes in the winter again. (^^)
PS
All of the Katsura keychains were adorable. (^^)
September 7, 2025
This was my first time visiting, and the diverse greenery was vibrant and lush, overflowing with vitality.
Perhaps it's the harmony of human touch, human vitality, and natural energy.
It's rare to find a place like this while living in the countryside.
There are many sights to see, including the giant katsura tree, and you can enjoy a leisurely stroll and see the flowers and trees that change with the seasons.
Benches and rest areas are conveniently located, and there are no steep slopes, so even someone as physically inclined as me should be able to navigate.
It was such a wonderful place that I almost regret it being so far from home.
I came here after seeing the giant Katsura tree seven years ago and wanting to come back.
The flowing water feels icy cold even in summer, and it feels great when you dip your feet in it.
You can walk in the shade of the trees, so it's relatively cool even in summer.
The coffee and tea I made with the Katsura's Millennium Water were delicious.
Next time, I'll go to the 20-liter water station along the road. (100 yen) I'll fill up my tank and take it home with me.
You can enjoy forest bathing.
The Umehanamo flowers were also in bloom, and the peak is apparently at the end of July.
The staff told me that if you spray alcohol on yourself, bees and blackflies will not come near you.
The Tajima beef curry was delicious.
I also bought some cypress oil.
This botanical garden is open to dogs. It's also home to a giant katsura tree, a must-see for giant tree lovers, and it's a place I've always wanted to visit.
It's far away, but I couldn't find a hotel and was about to force a day trip, but then I found a cheap accommodation nearby that offered both the botanical garden and accommodation. 🩷
The accommodation fee included admission to the botanical garden and a bento lunch (up to 1,800 yen), so I greedily ordered a pork cutlet curry. Even the hand towels were stylish, lol. By the way, the admission fee for dogs was also included.
The botanical garden itself takes about an hour to look around, and I wanted to sit down and have lunch, but it was a bit chilly on a windy day.
The giant katsura tree at Waike Pond is mysterious and worth seeing. There's spring water nearby, and you can fill a bottle with it. I'm not an expert on the taste of the water, but I thought it was soft.
It was crowded on a weekend, so I'd like to return on a weekday or other day to enjoy the quiet nature.
The botanical garden is open daily during the warmer months (typically April through November) and is closed for winter from December to March. During the winter closure period, special Kanjiki snowshoeing experiences are available. The on-site restaurant has different operating schedules, being closed on Thursdays from December to March (except holidays).
The garden showcases an impressive collection of approximately 2,000 plant species in total. Visitors can observe about 1,000 kinds of volunteer plants including trees, grasses, and flowers, plus about 300 kinds of similar cultivated plants. The diverse collection represents one of Japan's most comprehensive highland botanical displays.
The symbol of the Tajima Highland Botanical Garden is a huge Japanese Judas tree (Katsura tree) that measures 16 meters in circumference. This magnificent Wachi-no-ō-katsura tree is over 1,000 years old and stands as one of Japan's most remarkable ancient specimens, representing the garden's commitment to preserving natural heritage.
The garden offers 17 hectares of botanical exploration with 10 hectares developed for public access. Visitors can enjoy walking trails through diverse plant communities, observe the Sen-nen-sui spring that produces 5,000 tons of water daily, and dine at the on-site restaurant surrounded by natural greenery. The facility serves as both a conservation center and educational destination, with water features including streams, ponds, and swamp areas creating varied microhabitats throughout the gardens.
