It’s fun to feel a new era and reflect on the history.
“Sorakuen Garden” is a garden located in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. There are “Chisen Kaiyushiki Japanese Teien Garden”, mansions used in the Meiji era, “Ijinkan” (former foreign residences), and “Funayakata” (Japanese houseboat) used in the Edo period. The entire site is a gorgeous and beautiful outing spot like a museum of history. Sorakuen is a place full of attractions where you can enjoy the nature of the four seasons and enjoy it no matter how many times you come. An introduction to its history and charm.
Sorakuen is the only Japanese garden in a city park in Kobe. It has a vast site of about 20,000 square meters. The scenery is a masterpiece. One of the highlights is the contrast with distant high-rise buildings. The park has a pond and promenade, as well as an Ijinkan and facilities designated as Important Cultural Properties.
Sorakuen is a Japanese garden of Chisen Kaiyushiki Teien Garden. “Chisen Kaiyushiki” refers to a garden that recreates the scenic beauty of various places, such as a hill, a pond, a small island, a bridge, and a famous stone, around a large pond.
It is full of quiet natural beauty as if it were not artificial, such as the flow of water and the waterfall stone group arranged in the park. There are several “Azumaya” (square gazebo) along the park road, where you can take a break during your walk or sit down on a chair and enjoy the view of the garden. It is attractive to be able to enjoy deep nature while being in the city.
There is an azalea garden on the left after entering the main gate, and the number is about 4,000. Brilliant azaleas bloom in the eyes such as white, pink and red. From April to May every year, tea ceremonies and music events are held at the best time to see the azaleas, and it is very lively.
In addition, in Sorakuen, the cabin part of the river Gozabune used by the lord of Himeji for sightseeing in rivers during the Edo period was unloaded. The crests of the Sakakibara family, one of the four kings of Tokugawa, are engraved on the boat. It was relocated to Sorakuen for preservation in 1980, and is the only surviving river Gozabune in Japan, a very valuable building.
Point!
Introducing access to “Sorakuen”. First, take the Japan Railway Sanyo Shinkansen to Shin-Kobe Station. Then transfer to Kobe Municipal Subway Seishin / Yamanote Line and get off at “Kenchomae” station. From there you will arrive in about 5 minutes on foot.
Kobe’s Sorakuen Garden is like a work of art on the entire site where valuable Meiji buildings remain. Strolling through the beautiful Japanese garden at Chisen Kaiyushiki Japanese Teien Garden, you can feel the world of wabi (taste for the simple and quiet) and sabi (quiet simplicity), and at the Ijinkan or the landed Funayakata, you can enjoy the gorgeousness. It’s fun to feel a new era and reflect on the history.
Charms and Highlights of “Sorakuen Garden”
The garden changes its appearance depending on the season
There is a big Japanese garden a little northward from Motomachi Town in Kobe. It is a garden named “Sorakuen Garden”. It is also a sightseeing spot in a well-known place where there are few people to know even local citizens. Hyogo prefectural government office is located near “Sorakuen Garden”, it is a place of urban atmosphere. However, since “Sorakuen Garden” is obviously different from the surrounding atmosphere, it will be found soon.
You can reach the “Sorakuen Garden” by walking 15 minutes north from Motomachi Station West Exit of JR or Hanshindentetsu Railway. It’s about 1 hour if you walk slowly enough to see the inside of the park. It is not so wide. It is compact compared to gardens around the Imperial Palace in Tokyo and Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu. Since the area around “Sorakuen Garden” is in the city center, it is healed by the scenery where this nature spreads. This is a nice place for those seeking nature.
The highlight of “Sorakuen Garden” is the appearance and the interior of the facility. In the garden there are former “Funayakata” (Japanese houseboat) and the stable of the Kodera family, which are designated as important designated cultural assets of the country. In addition, the former Hassam residence which was relocated after World War II is preserved, and this is also designated as an important cultural asset. Also in the garden is Chisen Kaiyushiki Japanese Teien Garden (a fairly large garden form that allowing visitors to view the garden while strolling around its pond and fountain and through its premise). The scenery seen from the tea room “Kanshin-Tei” is a splendid space. As this garden changes its appearance depending on the season, you will not get tired of visiting many times.
The scenery of a Japanese garden
Sorakuen Garden is on the north side of Hyogo Prefectural Office of the Kobe-shi, Hyogo prefecture. It is the Japanese garden having been registered the first national treasure under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties of Japan. In the site of approximately 20,000 square meters in area, there is an old Kodera family’s stable of European construction, important cultural properties such as Funayakata (The ship which the daimyo used for alternate attendance system or sight-seeing in the Edo period), the cycad garden, the large camphor tree, azalea, and the scenery of a Japanese garden can be enjoyed.
Popular date spot which can take a walk leisurely
This garden was completed in the end of Meiji era. After the Second World War, “the former Hassam House” (important cultural property), the “Sorakuen Hall” which is guesthouse facilities of Kobe, and the tea-ceremony room “Kanshin-tei” etc. are transferred from Kitano-cho, Kobe, and it results in the present scene. It is also a popular date spot which can take a walk leisurely.
The Chisen-kaiyushiki-teien style
It was enrolled in “registration monument” of the country in 2006. The garden in a site is the Chisen-kaiyushiki-teien style (a stroke-style garden arounda big pond), and can see the scene of deep mountains and dark valleys in the downtown area. The large camphor tree in age-of-a-tree 500, the azalea which blooms in spring, and the autumnal leaves of autumn are also brilliant.
Famous also as notable sites for an azalea
The appreciation event about a light is held the end of August every year using an excellent garden. Moreover, it is famous also as notable sites for an azalea, and very splendid azaleas is in full bloom in spring.
The concert of a koto may be held
Events, such as a concert of a koto by a nearby college student, may be held.
Information(Access, Price/Charge, Tel, Address, Official site, etc.)
| Name: | Sorakuen Garden |
| Address: | Nakayamatedori 5-3-1 Kobe Chuo-ku, Hyogo 650-0004 Japan |
| Access: | Kobe Municipal Subway Seishin-Yamate-sen line “Kencho-mae-eki” Station (5 minutes walk) |
| Tel: | (+81) 78-351-5155 |
| Price: | 300 yen (Adult) 150 yen (Elementary or Junior high school) Please refer the official web page. |
| Official site: | http://www.sorakuen.com/ |
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