This 25,000 sq meter garden is one of Fukushima's most beautiful and took 25 years to construct. Jorakuen is a composition of trees, water and stone set against the Azuma mountains. The entrance is a tree-enclosed path, but the garden opens up to is full expanse after the first bend. A large pond dominates the center of the garden with pines, stone and small islands highlighting it. An azumaya and a tea house are also located around the edge. Seasonal interest is provided by rhododendrons (shakunage), butterbur (yamafuki), a wisteria trellis (fujidana) and a beautiful lotus marsh (hasunuma).
Parking: 50 cars
Access----From JR Tohoku Line/Shinkansen Fukushima Station, bus to Fujimi restaurant stop then 15 minute walk.
Follow Route 115 from Fukushima toward Aizu and watch for the sign. Is also accessible from the Fukushima-Nishi interchange of the Tohoku Expressway.
We'll warm our bodies gathering maple leaves,
In turn those red boughs to the flames consign;
And then we'll warm the sake, hot and sweet,
To warm our autumn hearts with the hot wine.
