Shōhin-ken

Shōhin-ken is a daimyo garden with a traditional wooden gate, stone pathways, water features, and carefully maintained plants spread across its grounds. The layout combines open water areas with cultivated vegetation to create a self-contained composition.

The garden was created in 1688 when a local nobleman had it built for his mother as a place of refuge and contemplation. During the Edo period, it became an important gathering place for the noble family and their guests.

Tea ceremonies in the Higo Koryu style take place here every first Sunday of June, keeping centuries-old Japanese traditions alive. These rituals connect visitors with practices that have been maintained in this place across generations.

The garden is within walking distance of castle ruins and offers parking for cars and tour buses. It can be visited throughout the year, though late May to June offers a special experience with flowering displays.

During the blooming period from late May to June, the grounds are filled with thousands of Higo iris flowers flowering around the water areas. This natural display transforms the place into a distinctive photographic subject and offers a view many visitors would not expect from a historical garden.

Location: Yatsushiro

Inception: 1688

Website: https://higo-shohinken.jp

GPS coordinates: 32.50941,130.59635

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:03