[2024 Latest] Golden Week outings: Okayama Korakuen Garden"FANTASY GARDEN（GENSO-TEIEN）" and Okayama Castle"U-jo (Crow Castle)Togenkyo"
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I went to the "Spring FANTASY GARDEN（GENSO-TEIEN） " held at Okayama Korakuen Garden , one of Japan's three most famous gardens, and the "Spring U-jo (Crow Castle)Togenkyo ", where the area around Okayama Castle is lit up, so I'd like to introduce them to you. During Golden Week (Friday, April 26th, ...
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Okayama Prefecture is located in the Chuo of Western Japan, and is known as the "Land of Sunshine" due to its warm climate and little rain throughout the year. It is conveniently located halfway between famous tourist spots such as Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, and is also the gateway to Shikoku via the Great Seto Bridge. Okayama is also known as the "Fruit Kingdom," and the fruits that grow in the warm climate of the Seto Inland Sea and sunshine are of the highest quality in terms of sweetness, aroma, and flavor. You can enjoy seasonal fruits such as white peaches, Muscat grapes, and Pione grapes! Okayama is also home to world-famous tourist spots such as Okayama Castle, Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, and Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, which are renowned for their history, culture, and art!
What is the FANTASY GARDEN（GENSO-TEIEN） U-jo (Crow Castle)Togenkyo?
The Spring FANTASY GARDEN（GENSO-TEIEN） and Spring U-jo (Crow Castle)Togenkyo are light-up events held at Okayama Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle, respectively.
[Spring FANTASY GARDEN（GENSO-TEIEN）]
Event period: Friday, April 26th, 2024 to Monday, May 6th (National Holiday)
Time: 18:00-21:30 (entrance until 21:00)
Location: Okayama Korakuen Garden
Address: 1-5 Korakuen, Kita-ku , Okayama City, Kita Ward
Admission fees: 410 yen for adults, 140 yen for those aged 65 and over, free for high school students and younger
[U-jo (Crow Castle)Togenkyo in Spring]
Event period: Friday, April 26th, 2024 to Monday, May 6th (National Holiday)
Time: 18:00-21:30 (entry until 21:00)
Location: Okayama Castle area
Address: 2-3-1 Marunouchi Castle Tower, Kita- Kita Ward, Okayama City Prefecture
Admission fee: Adults (15 years and over) 400 yen, elementary and junior high school students 100 yen, preschoolers free
Okayama Korakuen Garden Opens at Night as a Special "Spring FANTASY GARDEN（GENSO-TEIEN）"
First, we visited Okayama Korakuen Garden"Spring FANTASY GARDEN（GENSO-TEIEN）". Okayama Korakuen Garden has been awarded three stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan and is a world-famous famous spot. We entered through an entrance that exuded a Japanese atmosphere with paper lanterns and the "Heishiro Pine" visible in the background.
"Chasen lanterns" light up the spacious school grounds
Passing in front of the Kakumeikan, we proceed to the large school yard. The whole area is decorated with gorgeous lights, inviting visitors into a dreamlike world. The gorgeous lights that decorate the school yard are made to look like tea whisks. They're so cute, they look like flowers!
Okayama Korakuen Garden has tea fields and holds a tea picking event in June, so the tea whisk is a motif that is characteristic of Okayama Korakuen Garden.
Okayama Korakuen Garden Tea Picking Festival
Colorful "Spring Fantasy Flower Water Basin"
In the waterway in front of Enyotei, there is a floating flower water basin! It is a display that symbolizes spring, when flowers bloom one after another. Together with the lights of Enyotei reflected on the water, it creates a beautiful scene.
"Colorful Bamboo Lanterns" with delicate craftsmanship
The bamboo lanterns floating in the pond create a fantastical sight! The bamboo, decorated with delicate patterns, is lit up in beautiful colors, making it look like glasswork.
A magnificent view! The view from Mount Yuishin
The view from the top of Mt. Yuishin is spectacular. You can look out over the wide garden and the colorful, sparkling lights are beautiful! The view from Mt. Yuishin has even been awarded two stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan!
During the FANTASY GARDEN（GENSO-TEIEN） period, the road to the top of Mt. Yuishin is one-way. There is a limit of about 30 people at the top, so many people lined up. Follow the security guard's instructions and wait in line, enjoying the view.
Spring is in full bloom! Flower illuminations
This is the season when colorful flowers are beautiful. The flowers are also lit up, so you can see their beautiful appearance even at night.
The Hirado azaleas reflected in the waterway. They are so clearly reflected in the clear water that it gives the illusion that there is another world connected to it below the surface.
Okayama Castle special nighttime opening: "Spring U-jo (Crow Castle)Togenkyo"
After enjoying the FANTASY GARDEN（GENSO-TEIEN） , we headed out the south gate to Okayama Castle, the venue for the "Spring U-jo (Crow Castle)Togenkyo " event. The Okayama Castle is lit up with lights that change color depending on the time of day, from blue to red to yellow.
This time, the corridor gate was a one-way street, so we went around from the Tsukimi Tower and headed towards the castle tower.
The only remaining structure: Tsukimi Tower
The Ikeda family crest, known as the Bizen Butterfly, was projected onto the Tsukimi Tower. Built by Ikeda Tadao in the early Edo period, the Tsukimi Tower is the only structure still standing in the Honmaru. The Ukita family crest, "ko," and Kobayakawa Hideaki's flag, "maru ni ichigayama," were also projected onto the tower, so try and find them!
Take a break at the "Karasujo Nostalgic Food Stalls"
At the bottom of Okayama Castle, there were food stalls selling yakisoba, takoyaki, ice cream, etc. I got hungry after walking around Okayama Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle, so I decided to have some cheese hot dogs.
Hot dogs are the Korean version of American hot dogs. They come topped with three toppings recommended by the shop staff: sugar, ketchup, and honey mustard. When you bite into the crispy batter, the cheese oozes out from inside, making it delicious!
Enjoy the Japanese spring evening at the Castle Tower Square
After that, we headed to the square in front of the castle tower. When we reached the top of the stairs, the castle tower was lit up, and its majestic figure stood out against the dark night. Large Japanese umbrellas were set up here and there, adding to the Japanese atmosphere. The surrounding trees were lit up in spring-like cherry blossom colors.
Cherry Blossom Illumination
One of the highlights of this event was the display at the foundation stone of the castle tower. The artificial cherry blossom changes color as it is lit up, and the smoke creates an even more fantastical atmosphere that is hard to take your eyes off. It represents the changing of the seasons, and the sparkling display makes it look as if fireflies are flying.
A ton of events!
Many events will be held at Okayama Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle during Golden Week. There will be events such as a "Tatami Border Workshop" and a "Korokoro Koinobori (Carp Streamer) Making" event in honor of Children's Day, so please come and experience it!
Spring FANTASY GARDEN（GENSO-TEIEN）- Ujo U-jo (Crow Castle)Togenkyo
in conclusion
What did you think? Okayama Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle, decorated with colorful lights that you can't normally see, are a must-see. Be sure to visit during your Golden Week outing!
Okayama Prefecture is located in the Chuo of Western Japan, and is known as the "Land of Sunshine" due to its warm climate and little rain throughout the year. It is conveniently located halfway between famous tourist spots such as Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, and is also the gateway to Shikoku via the Great Seto Bridge. Okayama is also known as the "Fruit Kingdom," and the fruits that grow in the warm climate of the Seto Inland Sea and sunshine are of the highest quality in terms of sweetness, aroma, and flavor. You can enjoy seasonal fruits such as white peaches, Muscat grapes, and Pione grapes! Okayama is also home to world-famous tourist spots such as Okayama Castle, Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, and Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, which are renowned for their history, culture, and art!
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