Gōra Park, Botanical garden in Gora, Hakone, Japan
Gōra Park is a botanical garden on a steep hillside in Gōra with French-style landscape design, featuring fountains and rose gardens across multiple levels. Two distinct greenhouse structures house different plant collections throughout the grounds.
The garden was established in 1914 and represented Japan's first French-style landscaping project, introducing Western garden design principles to local horticulture. This founding marked a turning point in how Japanese gardens came to be influenced by international styles.
The Hakuun-do Teahouse within the grounds holds protected cultural property status and demonstrates how Western-designed spaces in Japan integrate with traditional practices. Visitors can observe how the layout reflects the Japanese relationship between nature and human presence.
The garden sits just five minutes on foot from Gōra Station and is easily accessible. Since it is built on a slope, visitors should wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for stairs and uneven paths.
The grounds house Japan's oldest bougainvillea plant in a dedicated building, a surprisingly rare feature for a botanical garden. The collection also includes over 140 rose varieties and tropical herbs grown within the greenhouses.
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