Yuko-En on the Elkhorn, Japanese garden in Georgetown, Kentucky.
Yuko-En on the Elkhorn is a 5.5-acre garden that blends Japanese design with Kentucky Bluegrass landscaping, featuring koi ponds, stone lanterns, and pathways along Elkhorn Creek. The layout incorporates distinct areas where traditional garden techniques and North American vegetation coexist throughout the grounds.
The garden was established in 2000 by local landscape architects through cooperation between Georgetown and its sister city Tahara in Japan. This international partnership between the two communities formed the foundation for the project and continues to shape its character.
The garden holds official status as the Kentucky-Japan Friendship Garden and serves as a meeting point between two cultures. Visitors encounter traditional Japanese architectural elements throughout, particularly the Tokugawa Gates, which reflect the partnership between Georgetown and its sister city in Japan.
The garden is located on Cincinnati Road in Georgetown and is open daily from sunrise to sunset without charge. Visitors should stay on marked pathways and be prepared for generally flat to gently rolling terrain that is easy to navigate.
A Zen rock garden was designed by local volunteers and can be viewed from the Elkhorn Viewing Pavilion overlooking the creek. This section reveals how the community actively shaped the garden's character.
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