Shukkeien Garden

Avg. User Rating:

Kaminobori-cho, Hiroshima, Japan 730-0014+81 (0)82 221 3620

Category:
Parks and Gardens
Not right?
Update Address

Show More Info

User Reviews

Results 1-2of 2 Reviews

In the Shrunken Garden

by michaelhudson

Jarrow, Tyne & Wear, United Kingdom

February 7, 2010

Best of IgoUgo A kilometre-and-a-half from the hypercenter of the atomic bomb, Shukkeien Garden, which had been laid out in 1620, one year after the accession of the Asano family to the feudal lordship of Hiroshima, was almost obliterated at a single stroke. ...Read more A kilometre-and-a-half from the hypercenter of the atomic bomb, Shukkeien Garden, which had been laid out in 1620, one year after the accession of the Asano family to the feudal lordship of Hiroshima, was almost obliterated at a single stroke. Fires ravaged much of what was left, killing many of the refugees who had crawled under the broken trees in search of sanctuary. Most of those who remained alive died later, without ever receiving medical help. Only the rainbow bridge spanning the centre of the pond remained intact.

Built shortly after the completion of Hiroshima Castle, Shukkeien, which translates into English as 'shrunken-scenery garden', was designed as a miniaturized model of Hangzhou's famous West Lake, with a rainbow bridge at the centre of a large pond, dotted with ten islets of differing sizes: Suishin, Koko, Sekisuigan, Chozen. On one side of the pond is a side wall of the Prefectural Art Museum; on the other the Kyobashi River. Between are valleys and mountains, bridges and tea plantations, sited as they are in China, but several times smaller. The use of space in such a concentrated area is almost magical. The twists and turns of paths around the pond hide the whole from view, opening up vistas of pine trees and plum orchards from every small peak, splitting each section into its own distinct area. It takes a whole turn around the garden before you begin to fully appreciate just how small it really is. There's nothing here that you won't have already seen if you've visited the traditional gardens of Kyoto and Tokyo, but if you're not in a rush to move on from Hiroshima then this is as good a place to spend a lazy afternoon as any in the city.

Although it's slightly out of the way if you're visiting the Peace Park and A-Bomb Dome, Shukkeien is one of the few green spaces in the centre of the city and can easily be combined with a trip to the Prefectural Art Museum, Hiroshima Castle and the Memorial Cathedral for World Peace.

Entrance is 250 yen and the gardens are open from 9 - 6pm (5pm October to March). Close

From journal At the End of the World: Hiroshima

Shukkei-en

by Composthp

Singapore, Singapore

June 7, 2003

Best of IgoUgo This beautiful miniture garden is modelled after Xi Hu of Hangzhou, China. It dates back to 1620 and was damaged by the A bomb. This little garden is an oasis away from the bustle of downtown. A perfect little spot for quiet contemplation; at least, ...Read more

From journal City reborn

Shukkeien Garden

What's Nearby?

Nearby Things to Do

Popular Hiroshima Hotels

Popular Things to Do in Hiroshima

Avg. User Rating:

User Reviews

In the Shrunken Garden

Shukkei-en