Chiran-cho Kori, Minami-Kyushu City, Kagoshima Prefecture
Rating
Cost per person
¥500
The Hirayama Ryoichi Garden in Minami Kyushu, Kagoshima, offers a unique take on traditional Japanese gardens. Unlike others in the area, it features no stone arrangements, instead showcasing meticulously sculpted Satsuki azaleas and Inumaki hedges to create a serene landscape. The garden incorporates Mount Haha as borrowed scenery, enhancing its minimalist design. Visitors can appreciate this tranquil space, once used for bonsai viewing and poetry, for a small entrance fee (¥530 for adults, ¥320 for children). The best time to visit is during the azalea blooming season in May for a stunning floral display. Easily accessible by bus from Kagoshima Central Station, this garden provides a peaceful retreat into nature.