The "Old Tsuyama Domain Villa Garden'' is a stroll-style garden with a pond with a total area of 28,000 square meters that was built as a daimyo garden in the middle of the Edo period. It is also popularly known as "Shurakuen''.

It is said to have been built by Enshu Kobori, a gardener who was invited by Mori Nagatsugu, the second lord of the Tsuyama domain. The garden, which is modeled after Kyoto's Sento Imperial Palace, is characterized by a beautiful landscape that takes advantage of nature.

During the Edo period, the garden area was 74,700 square meters, three times the current size, and there was a huge pond in the center of the garden, with four large and small islands floating in it.

Although the state guest house and Seiryoken have been restored within the large garden, there are few man-made objects such as garden stones and lanterns, and the garden is characterized by being integrated with nature.

You can see the beauty of each season with cherry blossoms in spring, water lilies in summer, and maple trees in autumn, and it was designated as a national scenic spot in 2002.

Additionally, in the spring, a haiku festival known as the "Kyokusui no Ute'' is held, and in the fall, events such as the "Moon Viewing Party'' are held in Shurakuen.

■ Basic information
Name: Shurakuen
Address: 628 Yamakita, Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture
Nearest station: JR Tsuyama Station (10 minutes by bus)
Business hours: 7:00-20:00 (closes at 17:00 in winter)
Price: Free admission
No regular holiday
Parking: Use nearby parking lots

*Please check the website for detailed information.