Okayama Korakuen was originally the private garden of the Ikeda family, the feudal lords of Okayama. It is one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, covering about 130,000 to 140,000 square meters, and still preserves the landscape and layout from the Edo period centuries ago. The garden features a circular walking design, with lawns, ponds, tea houses, and arched bridges all connected. Visitors can also enjoy views of Okayama Castle from within the grounds.
April is cherry blossom season here. The garden and its surroundings are planted with many Somei Yoshino cherry trees, mainly in the Sakura Grove, Baba area, and South Gate lawn, where a 180-meter-long cherry blossom tunnel forms. In spring, the blooming sakura tinge the whole garden pink, and the weeping cherry trees (Shidarezakura) are especially popular around Hananoha Pond and Eisho Bridge. Petals often fall and gather on the water, creating scenes of “flower rafts” and carpets of cherry blossoms. In mid-to-late April, azaleas and other spring flowers also come into bloom.
Yuishinzan is the only artificial hill in the garden, about 6 meters high, added later by the second lord Ikeda Tsugumasa. As the highest point in the garden, its summit offers sweeping views over Korakuen—including the wide lawns, ponds, Enyo-tei Pavilion, and cherry groves, with Okayama Castle in the distance. In spring, the top of Yuishinzan becomes especially popular for scenery and photography, blending blossoms with the garden’s landscape.
To fully experience Korakuen’s allure, it’s recommended to explore its history, aesthetics, and the spectacular cherry blossoms of spring from various angles during your visit.
岡山後樂園，原本是岡山藩主池田家的私人庭園，也是日本三大名園之一，面積約13至14萬平方公尺，歷經數百年仍完整保留了江戶時代的景觀和結構。園內設計採迴遊式庭園，草地、池塘、茶屋和拱橋相互串聯，遠眺還能看到岡山城。
四月是這裡的賞櫻季，園內和周邊共種有染井吉野櫻，主要分布在櫻林、馬場、南門草坪等區，有長達180公尺的櫻花隧道。春天來時，櫻花盛開將庭園染成粉色，垂櫻（枝垂櫻）則在花葉之池和榮唱橋畔特別受到歡迎。風吹過時櫻花花瓣會飄落，部分聚集在水面形成花筏，也有櫻花地毯景象。四月中下旬起，還可見杜鵑和其他春花陸續綻放。
唯心山是園內唯一的人工築山，高約6公尺，由第二代藩主池田繼政增建。作為全園制高點，站在山頂能俯瞰整個後樂園，包含大片草坪、池塘、延養亭、櫻花林的壯麗景色，遠方的岡山城也盡收眼底。春季登上唯心山，滿園櫻花和季節花卉交織，是賞景和拍照的人氣據點。
建議安排造訪時，一定要能全方位體驗岡山後樂園從歷史背景、美學設計到春日櫻花盛放的魅力。
