After visiting the Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa - one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens - I decided to make it a goal to see another before the end of my trip. With only three gardens in Japan recognized with this distinction, having a side quest like this gave a nice sense of direction to the final third of my journey. At the time, I was already in Osaka, and visiting Okayama wasn’t intended to be a full-day trip. In fact, I had to move quickly - I left in the afternoon, knowing that the garden would close early.

Once I arrived in Okayama, I walked briskly - nearly running - the 30 minutes from the station to the garden. When I finally reached the entrance, there were only thirty minutes left before closing. Compared to Kenrokuen’s detailed, intimate layout, Kōrakuen immediately felt more open and expansive. As I entered, I was welcomed by a wide field dotted with colorful umbrellas, and beyond the trees, the black facade of Okayama Castle stood out against the sky.

My time in the garden was brief, but peaceful. I walked quietly as the sun set and the moon rose, nearly full, casting a soft light over the landscape. Although I spent less than two hours in Okayama, the experience left a strong impression. I look forward to returning one day - hopefully with more time and a new quest to pursue.