Day 4: Okayama

From Miyajima-guchi we rode the local train line to Hiroshima, then grabbed the Shinkansen to Okayama. We didn't have any specific plans for Okayama, but our hotel was there because it was on the way to the next part of our trip.

We did know that Okayama was home to one of Japan's top three gardens, Kōraku-en, so we borrowed a pair of bicycles from our hotel and careened towards the park.

The garden was built in 1700 by the daimyo feudal lord. Though severely damaged a couple of times, the garden has been maintained and reconstructed based on Edo-period paintings and records. The gently rolling grounds are a mixture of wide open areas, dense groves, water and rock features, and a few buildings.

We didn't know this beforehand, but we were visiting during some sort of special event. There was going to be a beer garden, and the grounds were going to be illuminated once the sun set.

The large pond in the middle of the garden. Various torches and lights were set up around the grounds.

Chairs, tables, and booths were set up on the lawn in the center of the garden. This couple decided to show up well in advance. I guess they really wanted to make sure they got good seats.

The Enyo-tei house, where the daimyo was received when he visited the garden. Ava rests on the steps leading up to Enyo-tei.

The sun starts to set.

People start filling the garden. The main booths opened, serving a variety of foods and—of course—beer.

Okayama Castle rises above the trees on the edge of the garden. The castle was lit as well; its eaves glowed lime green in the twilight.

Ava munches on some edamame soybeans as we wait for evening.

Night fell, and the garden was slowly illuminated bit by bit as torches were lit and lights switched on.

Many of the buildings, such as the one here in the middle of the lake, were lit from within.

Strings of small lights followed the winding river and waterways.

The manmade Yuishinzan Hill looks out over most of the garden grounds. Its slopes were dotted with candles.

A woman sells kibi-dango, sweet millet dumplings.

Garden staff walked around pouring water on the grass near the ground torches.

(far right) A girl takes pictures of the gardens with her DSi.

We were only supposed to borrow the bikes for three hours, so we left the gardens and rode back to the hotel. I snapped a last shot of Okayama-jō rising above the river, sharply lit against the night sky.