HiroshimaLeisure

Shotoen Garden (松濤園)

Flow of the course

About 75 min here

About 30 min to the next stop

Next stop: Lunch with views of a white sand beach and clear sea

About this spot

Located in the Sannose district of Shimokamagari Island, this is a combined garden-and-museum facility that incorporates the Seto Inland Sea as part of its scenery. During the Edo period, this island played an important role as a place for receiving the Korean embassies to Japan (Joseon Tongsinsa), and the Gochiso Ichiban-kan hall on the grounds presents this history in an easy-to-understand way. Looking out over the sea and the islands from the pine-lined garden, you can almost picture the ships of that era coming and going. Cultural facilities such as the Ranto-kaku Art Museum are clustered nearby, and simply walking along the streets of Sannose lets you take in the island's calm atmosphere. Visiting in the quiet hours of the morning lets you feel like you have the garden to yourself.

Tips

A combined ticket covering several nearby facilities is sometimes available, so it's worth checking at the reception desk for savings. The garden has set closing days, so confirm it is open before you visit. There is gravel and stone steps on the grounds, so wear comfortable, easy-to-walk-in shoes. The pool is about a 5-minute drive away.