Hiroshima Castle
Hiroshima, Japan
Shukkei-en Garden, Hiroshima
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Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- ¥350; university students ¥150; schoolchildren free
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Hours
- 16 September–15 March 9:00–17:00; 16 March–15 September 9:00–18:00; last entry 30 minutes before closing
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 1 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Winter hours
- 16 September–15 March 9:00–17:00
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Summer hours
- 16 March–15 September 9:00–18:00
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Closed
- 29–31 December
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Highlights
- Takuei Pond and Koko-kyo bridge
- Getting there
- 15 minutes on foot from Hiroshima Station, or tram to Shukkeien-mae
Key facts
1620the year the garden was laid out
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en.wikipediaUeda Sokothe tea master who created the garden
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en.wikipediaAsanothe lords for whom it was made
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en.wikipedia'Shrunken scenery'the meaning of the name Shukkei-en
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en.wikipediaKoko-kyothe arched bridge over Takuei Pond
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en.wikipedia¥350adult entry
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shukkeien.jpFreefor schoolchildren
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shukkeien.jp400 yearsmarked by the garden in 2020
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shukkeien.jpWhat is Shukkei-en Garden?
Shukkei-en, the 'garden of shrunken scenery', is a Japanese stroll garden in central Hiroshima. It was laid out in 1620 for the Asano lords who ruled Hiroshima, and created by the tea master Ueda Soko. In 2020 the garden marked its 400th year.
The garden is built around Takuei Pond, with pine-covered islets. A path leads all the way round, and at every turn a new 'miniature landscape' appears: mountains, valleys, a waterfall, rice paddies and tea fields. By tradition it echoes the scenery of China's famous West Lake. Over the pond arches the Koko-kyo bridge.
Tickets and hours
According to the official site, entry is ¥350 for adults, ¥150 for university students, and free for all schoolchildren. From 16 September to 15 March the garden opens 9:00 to 17:00, and from 16 March to 15 September until 18:00; last entry is 30 minutes before closing. It closes only on 29–31 December.
Next door, on the same grounds, is the Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum — they share a website, and museum exhibition tickets sometimes include a discount for the garden. The garden has a tea house where you can have matcha with sweets.
What to see
- Takuei Pond with its pine islets.
- The arched Koko-kyo bridge — the garden's signature view.
- Tea houses on the shore.
- Koi carp in the pond.
- Miniature rice paddies and tea bushes.
- Maples — in November.
How to get to Shukkei-en Garden
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Hiroshima Castle is about 15 min away on foot.
- Okonomi-mura is about 18 min away on foot.
More tips
- From Hiroshima Station — about 15 minutes on foot west.
- Tram — line 9 to the Shukkeien-mae stop, 1 minute on foot.
- Water taxi — along Hiroshima's rivers, with a landing by the garden.
- From Hiroshima Castle — about 10 minutes on foot.
- From the airport — bus to the station, about 50 minutes.
Shukkei-en or Kyoto's gardens
| Shukkei-enyou are here | A stroll garden round a pond | ¥350 | Few | 45 minutes to an hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyoto gardens | Dry and stroll gardens | Usually ¥500–600 | Many | 30–60 minutes |
How long do you need?
45 minutes to an hour is enough for the garden: stroll round the pond, stand on the bridge, feed the carp and have some tea. Longer with the art museum next door.
Shukkei-en pairs easily with Hiroshima Castle, 10 minutes' walk away, followed by lunch at Okonomi-mura for local okonomiyaki.
The garden is small but dense: in half an hour's walk you pass a mountain, a gorge, a waterfall and a bridge, as if travelling through Japan in miniature. So don't rush — the point of the garden is the changing views.
Is Shukkei-en worth visiting?
Yes: it's the loveliest quiet corner of central Hiroshima, inexpensive and almost free of tourists.
The YesGo take: the garden is smaller than the famous gardens of Kyoto or Kanazawa and less 'postcard'. But in Hiroshima it's the best place for a peaceful walk, especially in autumn. If you've seen Kyoto's gardens you could skip Shukkei-en; if not, be sure to go.
Before you go: checklist
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Gardens and parks: compare and choose
Gardens and natural sights rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Shukkei-en Gardenyou are here | 37 | 1 h | ¥350 | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daisho-in Temple | 29 | 45 min | Free | 18.2 km |
| Mount Misen | 19 | 3 h | trails free; ropeway ≈ ¥2,000 return | 19.1 km |
Hiroshima in half a day
Hiroshima Castle and the Ninomaru in the morning, then Shukkei-en Garden, and okonomiyaki at Okonomi-mura for lunch. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Hiroshima Castle1 h · free (keep closed)
- 14 min walk from the previous stopShukkei-en Gardenyou are here1 h · ¥350
- 19 min walk from the previous stopOkonomi-mura1 h · free entry; okonomiyaki ≈ from ¥1,000
3 places · about 3 h 33 min with walks · 33 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
Okonomi-mura
Hiroshima, Japan
How to do it right
- Schoolchildren get in free.
- Walk all the way round the pond.
- Carp food is sold at the entrance.
- November — red maples.
- Nearby: Hiroshima Castle.
Questions
How much is entry to Shukkei-en?
¥350 for adults, ¥150 for university students, free for schoolchildren.
What are the opening hours?
9:00–17:00 from 16 September to 15 March, 9:00–18:00 from 16 March to 15 September.
When is it closed?
Only on 29–31 December.
When was the garden laid out?
In 1620, for the Asano lords.
How do I get there?
15 minutes on foot from Hiroshima Station, or tram to Shukkeien-mae.
How long do you need?
45 minutes to an hour.
What does the name mean?
'Garden of shrunken scenery'.
What's nearby?
The Prefectural Art Museum and Hiroshima Castle.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- Garden official site (shukkeien.jp) — seasonal hours, prices, closing days, address, water taxi (checked 09.11.2026)
- English Wikipedia: Shukkei-en — 1620, Ueda Soko, the Asano lords, West Lake, Koko-kyo bridge
- Travel guides — carp food, tea house (unofficial)
- Wikidata Q2576732 — coordinates
