Koko-en Garden Himeji
Koko-en Garden is a beautiful traditional Japanese garden located next to Himeji Castle in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. Opened in 1992, the garden was created to commemorate the centenary of Himeji City and occupies a site where samurai residences once stood during the Edo period. With its carefully designed landscapes, peaceful atmosphere and views of the nearby castle, Koko-en is a great way to experience Japanese garden design.
The garden consists of nine separate gardens, each featuring a distinctive style and character. These include a garden with a large pond and waterfall, a tea garden, a bamboo garden and landscapes inspired by traditional samurai residences. Stone pathways, wooden bridges, trimmed trees and flowing water create a sense of harmony throughout the gardens. After the crowds at the castle, this was a very relaxing experience.
In spring, cherry blossoms and fresh greenery bring colour to the gardens, while summer offers lush foliage and shaded walking paths. Autumn is particularly spectacular, as Japanese maple trees turn brilliant shades of red, orange and gold.
You can also experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony at the tea house, where matcha tea and Japanese sweets can be enjoyed in tranquil surroundings.
How to Get There
We visited Himeji as a day trip from Kyoto. We caught the train from Kyoto Station to Himeji Station. This took around 90 minutes with a cost of JPY 2,110 (September 2026).
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