koraku en garden
Kōraku-en, located in Okayama Prefecture, is one of Japan's Three Great Gardens, celebrated for its scenic beauty and historical significance. Created in 1700 by the feudal lord Ikeda Tsunamasa, it exemplifies the Japanese garden design principle of borrowed scenery, incorporating views of the nearby Okayama Castle. The garden has endured through centuries, surviving natural disasters and war, and continues to offer a tranquil retreat with its expansive lawns, meandering streams, and traditional tea houses. It remains a testament to the enduring aesthetics and cultural values of the Edo period in Japan.