Rakuraku-en, Japanese rock garden at Hikone Castle, Japan
Rakuraku-en is a Japanese rock garden at Hikone Castle featuring carefully arranged stones, water elements, and planted areas that follow traditional design methods. The garden guides visitors through narrow paths that reveal different views at each turn.
Ii Naooki created this garden in 1679 during the Edo period as part of a samurai residence next to Hikone Castle. The space has remained on the castle grounds through the centuries.
The garden shows how samurai valued spaces where they could step away from daily life and find quiet moments. Walking through, you notice how every stone and plant has a purpose in creating a feeling of balance.
You can reach the garden from the castle grounds, and signs in multiple languages help you find your way around. Wear comfortable walking shoes since the paths are narrow and sometimes uneven.
The original stone pathways were designed to control how visitors see the garden, with each turn revealing a new scene that the creator intended. Few people realize they are being guided along a carefully thought-out route.
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