Did you know there is a building in the Bikan Historical Area where you can relax and admire a Japanese garden for free?
A relaxing spot to take a break during your sightseeing, it also offers affordable rental space. This is Shinkei-en Garden. It features traditional Japanese architecture and a garden steeped in history and charm.
The garden was created by a gardener said to be the finest of the Meiji and Taisho periods. It takes on a different appearance with each season.
In fact, I had never visited Shinkei-en Garden before. After reporting on it, I regret not having known about such a wonderful place.
Sitting on the veranda in this peaceful setting and leisurely gazing at the garden is truly soothing!
Here are some of the highlights of Shinkei-en Garden and ways to enjoy it.
The information presented here was current when this article was published in April 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is Shinkei-en Garden? From the Ohara family villa to a place of relaxation for the public
Shinkei-en Garden is a traditional Japanese-style building and garden built as a villa for the Ohara family.
Admission is free. You can relax and admire the beautiful garden from the spacious 56-tatami-mat Japanese-style room.
It is also open to the public as a rental space, and is popular for a variety of events and functions.
History of Shinkei-en Garden
Shinkei-en Garden was built in 1893 as a villa for Ohara Koshiro, the first president of Kurabo (KURABO INDUSTRIES LTD.).
The villa was reportedly built to celebrate Koshiro's 60th birthday. What an extravagant gift!
Because it was built across from the Ohara family's main residence (Ohara House Katalyzer), it was called Mukai-tei (“the residence across the way”) when it was first built.
The Ohara family made a major contribution to Kurashiki's development and gave back to society the wealth they had accumulated.
In 1922, Koshiro's son Ohara Magosaburo, founder of the Ohara Museum of Art, donated Mukai-tei and its land to the town of Kurashiki at the time, hoping it would be widely used by the public. He even included a fund for its upkeep.
It was named Shinkei-en Garden after “Shinkei,” the pen name of Koshiro. The name Shinkei-en Garden thus honors the Ohara family's contributions.
Nearly 100 years after it was built, in 1991, the building underwent extensive renovations because it had become severely dilapidated.
It was given a new lease on life while retaining the character of its original construction, and is now open to the public in keeping with the spirit of the donation.
Layout of Shinkei-en Garden
Shinkei-en Garden consists of the following buildings and garden:
- The 56-tatami-mat great hall, Keikendo
- A Japanese garden modeled on the Eight Views of Omi
- Yushintei, with a traditional tea room
There seem to be various opinions about whether it was modeled on the Eight Views of Omi.
Let's take a closer look at each of these.
Highlights of Shinkei-en Garden
The 56-tatami-mat great hall, Keikendo
This purely Japanese-style building features a spacious 56-tatami-mat great hall and a veranda.
The impressive beams add to its charm, and the high ceiling creates an elegant atmosphere.
The interior has been renovated, but the framework is said to remain as it was when the building was first constructed.
Enjoy the “framed garden,” where the pillars and lintels frame the view of the garden.
Lush Japanese garden
This beautiful stroll garden with a pond changes its appearance with each season.
It was created by “Ogawa Jihei VII,” a pioneer of modern Japanese gardens.
Ogawa Jihei is said to have been the finest gardener of the Meiji and Taisho periods. He also designed the garden at Yurin-so Villa, built by Magosaburo for his frail wife.
When I visited in March, horsetails were growing. I hear the fresh greenery is beautiful when full spring arrives. Satsuki azaleas bloom in April and May, and in autumn the garden is colored by vivid maple leaves.
It made me want to visit again and again in different seasons.
The garden, designed to evoke the scenery of Lake Biwa, is also characterized by its abundant water.
You can admire the garden while crossing small bridges. Carp swam gracefully in the pond.
Apparently, the water in this pond is drawn from the Kurashiki River.
Here's a little fun fact.
Sora and Yume, the swans living in the Kurashiki River, are like local celebrities, loved by both tourists and residents. The Kurashiki Tourism and Convention Bureau, which manages Shinkei-en Garden, apparently feeds them.
You can also see the garden at Shinkei-en Garden from the Ohara Museum of Art.
Yushintei, with Japanese-style rooms and a tea room
Yushintei is a sukiya-style building added during renovations in the Heisei era.
It has two adjoining Japanese-style rooms (15 tatami mats in total) and a traditional tea room.
First, let's take a look at the Japanese-style rooms.
The shutters are closed in the photo, but when the room is in use, you can also admire the garden through the snow-viewing shoji screens. Chairs were provided for visitors who have difficulty sitting on the floor.
Next is the tea room.
Outside the building is a “machiya” waiting area, where people waiting for tea can sit out of the sun and look at the garden.
Tea rooms with a waiting area are rare, and this one is apparently used as a popular venue for tea gatherings. (In the photo, a wooden cover has been placed over the chair in the waiting area.)
Admission is free! Visit Shinkei-en Garden
Shinkei-en Garden rents out its rooms as event spaces. As a result, when Keikendo Hall is booked for a private event, visitors may not be able to see some parts of the garden.
A sign in front of the entrance indicates whether the garden is open to visitors, so please check it.
It depends on the time of year, but apparently nearly 90 percent of weekends and public holidays in spring and autumn are booked for events.
Here are some recommended ways to visit, depending on the situation.
When there is no private booking
You can view Keikendo Hall and the garden.
First, we recommend admiring the “framed garden” from inside the spacious Keikendo Hall.
Then sit on the veranda and take your time enjoying the garden. It is very pleasant and relaxing.
After that, try walking down into the garden. You may discover a different charm from the one you saw while looking out from the building.
When there is a private booking
Depending on the event, you may not be able to enter Keikendo Hall.
Even then, you can enter the Japanese garden from outside, on the Ohara Museum of Art (Annex) side, and walk around the garden to admire the exterior of Keikendo Hall.
As it is a strolling garden, you can fully appreciate its beauty while walking through it.
There are three gazebos in the garden, so we recommend sitting down and enjoying the view at your leisure.
Use Shinkei-en Garden as a rental venue for events and weddings
Shinkei-en Garden is available for the public to rent as an event space.
It is apparently used for weddings, pre-wedding photo shoots, tea gatherings, lessons such as kimono dressing, sales events, meetings, and more.
It’s a luxury to have access to a spacious venue overlooking a beautiful garden.
What’s more, in keeping with Magosaburo’s wish that it be “widely used as a gathering place for citizens,” it can be rented at a very reasonable price.
| Facility | 9 a.m. to noon | Noon to 5 p.m. | 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keikendo Hall | ¥1,810 | ¥2,310 | ¥4,120 |
| Yushintei Japanese-style room | ¥1,480 | ¥2,140 | ¥3,630 |
| Yushintei tea room | ¥1,980 | ¥2,530 | ¥4,400 |
- Use for business, business promotion, or similar purposes incurs a 100% surcharge
- Air-conditioning and heating costs are charged separately
- Equipment other than tables and floor cushions is not available for rental
Another welcome feature is that events involving food and drink can also be held. Alcohol is allowed as long as guests do not get drunk, and apparently a sake-tasting sales event has been held here.
Reservations can be made up to a year in advance, but popular seasons fill up quickly. Please book early.
Events held at Shinkei-en Garden
Shinkei-en Garden is also used as a venue for the following events.
- Kurashiki Hina Doll Tour (February–March)
- Kurashiki Shunsho Akari (March)
- Kurashiki Byobu Festival (October)
During the Kurashiki Hina Doll Tour, around 30 sets of hina dolls gathered at Shinkei-en Garden, creating a spectacular sight.
During Shunsho Akari, the garden is illuminated.
Lights are installed not only beneath the trees and veranda, but also in the pond, creating a look quite different from the daytime. Shinkei-en Garden is generally illuminated only during Shunsho Akari. Be sure to visit.
From the Writer
The refreshing, atmospheric building and lush garden were very soothing. And it’s free to visit!
It must be even more beautiful during the fresh green and autumn foliage seasons. I’ve found another place I’d like to visit again and again.
You can also rent a Japanese-style room or an authentic tea room, making it a great venue for events and photo shoots.
Be sure to enjoy the beautiful building and garden.
- Model: Yuricheru
Shinkei-en Garden Information
| Name | Shinkei-en Garden |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-1-20 Chuo, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 086-422-0338 |
| Parking | None |
| Opening hours | For sightseeing: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Room rentals: 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. |
| Closed | None Closed for the year-end and New Year holidays (December 29–January 3) |
| Admission (tax included) | Free admission for sightseeing See the article for room rental fees |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Available Rooms can be reserved up to one year in advance |
| Smoking | Entirely smoke-free |
| Restrooms | Western-style and Japanese-style toilets |
| Childcare | There are no special facilities such as a nursing room, but the rooms may be used when they are not rented. |
| Website | Shinkei-en Garden | Kurashiki Tourism WEB |
What would you like to know about Kurashiki?
Enter a word to search articles on this site
