Shukkeien Gardens, located in Hiroshima City, date back nearly 400 years to 1620, which began construction shortly after Hiroshima Castle was first built.
Like many of the inner city gardens, Shukkeien Gardens create a natural landscape is provide the opportunity for people to escape the concrete jungle that is the city, and relax in the cities oldest and most historically significant garden landscape. There are so many unique and interesting features of the Shukkeien Garden, all worth checking out.
A walk through Shukkeien Gardens can feel as if you have traveled back in time, as all along the main central pond, you can find traditional Japanese tea houses. These tea houses really help to set the atmosphere and give you a place to take a quick rest and just admire the view.
Being so close to the epicenter of the Atomic Bomb that dropped on the city of Hiroshima in 1945 during World War II, the Shukkeien Gardens suffered severe damage which saw the gardens to close for several years to reconstruct the grounds. It reopened in 1951, but was later renovated further in 1970.
The best time to visit the Shukkeien Gardens is during Mid-Late Autumn, where you can experience Shukkeien Gardens with all the lovely reds, oranges and yellows of leaves before they fall for winter.
Located adjacent to the gardens entrance is the Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum.
Hours and Admission
- Hours: 9:00am-6:00pm (5:00pm from October until March)
- 260JPY
- Average Time Spent: 30 - 45 Minutes
- Official Website
Where To Stay
Access
You can access the south end of Shukkeien Gardens via a short 10-15 minute walk from Hiroshima Station. But if you want to take advantage of Hiroshima’s wonderful tram (streetcar) network, you can depart Hiroshima Station on Tram Line 1,2, or 6. You can ride these trams to Hacchobori Station, then transfer onto line 9, which will take you to Shukkeien-mae Station (W3), located directly across the road from the Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum, which from there all you have to do is walk 2 minutes down the road from the museum and you will reach the park entrance. The journey will cost you approximately 180JPY one way, and will take the same amount of time as walking.
Explore more in Hiroshima Prefecture
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