The construction of Korakuen was ordered by feudal lord
(daimyo) Ikeda Tsunamasa in 1687. It was completed in
1700 as a place of entertainment for important guests
and the ruling family. Public visitors were occasionally
permitted. The garden became property of the Okayama
Prefecture in 1884 after the end of the feudal era. It was
then opened to the public and retained its original
appearance from the Edo Period. However, it suffered
damage from floods in 1934 as well as from air raids
during WWII. Thanks to well-kept records and paintings
from the Edo Period, it was restored with small changes.
Korakuen Garden is unique for its spacious lawn
gardens. It also consists of typical features that make a
Japanese landscape garden. This includes walking
paths, streams, a large pond, and a hill that overlooks the
garden. Plum trees and maple trees are also found in the
garden, along with tea and rice fields, an archery range,
and a crane aviary. Next to the Korakuen Garden is the
Okayama Castle, which is used as borrowed scenery.
Korakuen Garden is managed as historical cultural asset
and is protected as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty.
