Oyakuen Garden

Oyakuen Garden

Oyakuen was used approximately 600 years ago as a villa for the then lord of the Aizu Domain. Subsequently, in the mid-17th century, the lord of the Aizu Domain started growing medicinal herbs within the grounds which he developed to protect the citizenry from epidemics. This lead to the garden gaining the name "Oyakuen", which literally means "medicinal garden."

The traditional garden has been preserved as it was long ago, and Oyakuen has now been designated as an important national asset. The buildings within the grounds were used by the lord as a place of relaxation and for entertainment. Accordingly, Oyakuen still contains buildings devoted to Japanese tea. Visitors can enjoy a cup of herbal tea here even today.

Venue Details

Venue Details
Websitehttps://aizuwakamatsu.mylocal.jp/en/trip/spot-list/-/spotdetail/spotinfo/1000000066/3999496
Contact

Oyakuen Garden

(+81) 242-27-2472

info@tsurugajo.com

Best SeasonAll Year
Opening Hours

8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Last entrance at 4:30 PM)

Open all year

ParkingFree (61 cars)
Entrance FeeAdults: 330 yen
High school students: 270 yen
Junior high and elementary school students: 160 yen
Related infoEnjoy seasonal views of Oyakuen Garden throughout the year.
Recommended photo spot: The view of the garden from the tea house
Access Details
Access8-1 Hanaharumachi, Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Pref. 965-0804
View directions
Getting there

By Car: 15 min drive from the Aizu-Wakamatsu I.C. exit off the Ban-etsu Expressway

By Bus: Take the Haikara-san or Akabe sightseeing loop bus from Aizuwakamatsu Station (JR Ban-etsu West Line) and get off at Oyakuen Bus Stop. From there, walk for 3 min. The gardens are a 15 min walk from Tsurugajo Castle

Nearby

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Isasumi Shrine

<p>Aizu Misato Town&rsquo;s historic Isasumi Shrine, known as a great spot for viewing beautiful irises, holds a festival to celebrate the splendor of these flowers every year.</p><p>Isasumi Shrine&#39;s history is thought to be connected to how the Aizu region got its name - a story that has been recorded in two of Japan&rsquo;s most legendary books of folklore. According to the tale, around 2000 years ago, four shogun were entrusted with uniting the four areas of land which would become Japan. Two of these shogun happened to be father and son. One was sent to the north-east, and the other to the north-west.</p><p>When the father and son had completed their work uniting the towns in their respective areas, they met in the middle. They named the area &ldquo;Aizu&rdquo; (会津), which can be translated as &ldquo;The riverbank (津) where we met (会)&rdquo;. The father and son travelled to Mt. Mikagura-dake, a mountain that borders Niigata Prefecture and Aizu, and prayed to the shinto god of pioneering new lands to protect Aizu, and the rest of Japan. Isasumi Shrine is thought to be built where they met.</p><div><p>In spring, the shrine grounds become decorated with the blossoms of one of the most prized cherry trees in Aizu. It is said that this tree, which is named Usuzumi Sakura (&ldquo;Diluted-Ink Sakura&rdquo;), has been the sacred tree of Isasumi Shrine since it was brought down from Mt. Mikagura-dake and planted in the shrine grounds as a way of commemorating the efforts of the father and son. The lovely, light scent of the cherry blossom welcomes visitors each spring.</p></div>

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Nanokamachi-dori Street

Nanokamachi-dori Street is a quaint shopping street with an olde-worlde atmosphere, located in central Aizu-Wakamatsu City. There is a mix of western-style buildings, and traditional Japanese architecture, including Japanese-style storehouses and wooden town houses, from the Taisho Period (1912-1926). This street is home to a number of shops selling local products such as Aizu lacquerware and Aizu momen (cotton made in the Aizu area). Nanokamachi-dori Street is a great spot to grab a bite to eat, and is also useful as a base to explore Aizu-Wakamatsu City. Suehiro Sake Brewery and Suzuzen lacquerware shop are just two of the esteemed businesses located close to this shopping street.

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Shingu Kumano Shrine Nagatoko

Built in 1055, the Nagatoko is Shingu Kumano Shrine's worship hall and translates to “long floor”. It is designated as a Nationally Important Cultural Asset. Built as the main structure during the Heian period to the Kamakura period, its thatched roof is supported by 44 massive pillars, each one 45 cm in diameter. This comprises a single large, open stage with no walls, and is said to have been used for ascetic training by priests, as well as kagura dance festivals. Housed inside a nearby large wooden frame is the shrine bell, which visitors to the shrine are welcome to hit with the wooden rod. There is also a famous copper pot where, allegedly, rice was rinsed before being offered to the gods; it was designated as an Important Cultural Property in 1959. This treasure is housed at the shrine along with many others and are on display for visitors along with national and prefectural designated cultural assets. Also not to be missed in the lion statue in the center of the treasure hall. It is known as a guardian of wisdom and there is a local legend that says if you can pass under the belly of the lion your own wisdom will blossom. It’s a popular place for students to visit before the exam season, and even politicians before election season. Come autumn, the magnificent 800-year-old ginkgo tree is bathed in yellow and makes a beautiful contrast with the Nagatoko. This ancient tree has also been designated as a Natural Monument of Kitakata City. in November of every year, you can even see a special illumination of the ginkgo tree for a limited time.

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<p>Tsurugajo Castle allows visitors the opportunity to experience history, nature, and tradition with all five senses.</p><p>Despite being mostly reconstructed, the surrounding park&#39;s stone walls remain in their original state. In 2010, for the first time since it was refurbished in 1965, the castle underwent a cosmetic restoration. Following completion in 2011, the same red-tile roofs seen by the <a href="http://fukushima.travel/destination/the-19-graves-of-the-byakkotai-samurai-brigade/244">Byakkotai</a>&nbsp;(during the Boshin War and finals days of the Tokugawa shogunate) are now displayed for all to see.</p><p><img alt="" src="/img/edit/images/22-01_DSC2548.jpg" /></p><p>This castle is one of the final strongholds of samurai that remained loyal to the shogunate and today stands as a symbol of courage and faithfulness.</p><p>Within the castle tower&#39;s museum, the swords and armor of the castle&rsquo;s successive lords are on display. Visitors can watch a CG-enhanced theatrical video reflecting on the great history of Aizu.</p><p>In addition to the historical atmosphere surrounding Tsurugajo, visitors can sense the changes that have occurred throughout history, thanks to the engaging and informative museum within the castle walls. It&rsquo;s fun to gaze across Aizu from the fifth floor, like a feudal lord admiring his domain&mdash;the viewing platform up here provides panoramic views taking in <a href="https://fukushima.travel/destination/mt-bandai/12">Mt. Bandai</a> and <a href="https://fukushima.travel/destination/mt-iimoriyama/4">Mt. Iimoriyama</a>.</p><p><img alt="" src="/img/edit/images/04_MG_3635.jpg" /></p><p>The castle is also a must-see in the springtime when approximately 1,000 cherry trees offer a magnificent display within the castle&#39;s grounds.</p><p>When you&rsquo;re in the mood for a rest, visit the <a href="https://fukushima.travel/destination/relaxing-tea-ceremony-at-tsurugajo-castle/89">Rinkaku Tea Rooms</a> for some freshly-prepared matcha green tea. This tea house on the grounds of Tsurugajo was vital in the spread of this traditional art&mdash;and had it been destroyed during the Meiji Restoration, tea ceremony as it is known in Japan might have vanished.</p><p><img alt="" src="/img/edit/images/11_MG_9141.jpg" /></p><p>Tsurugajo Castle is truly a place where the modern visitor can slip into the past and become immersed in history.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

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