Fukushūen Garden — Attraction in Naha

Fukushūen (福州園 lit. "Fuzhou Garden" or "Foochow Garden") is a traditional Chinese garden in the Kume area of Naha, Okinawa.

The garden was constructed in 1992, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the sister city relationship between Naha and Fuzhou in China. The Kume neighborhood where the garden is located, previously known as Kumemura (Kume Village), was for centuries the center of Chinese culture and learning in the Ryūkyū Kingdom, and a symbol of the significant role of Chinese cultural influence in Okinawan history and culture.

The garden was built nearly entirely with the use of wood and stone from Fuzhou, with the help of artisans from Fuzhou, and according to specifications representative of traditional gardens in Fuzhou. It thus contains many of the elements essential to the design of a traditional Chinese garden. It is walled, divided into individual sections, features much asymmetry, rocks including scholar's rocks, and water in the form of a single pond which extends into most sections of the garden. Several bridges in a variety of styles extend over the pond, which houses koi and turtles, a symbol of longevity and wisdom in Chinese culture. The centerpiece of the garden perhaps is its waterfall, located on the west side of the pond, directly facing the east entrance. The rock pile it flows from contains an artificial cave, and can be entered, and climbed; stairs cut into the rock lead to a Chinese-style pavilion, one of two high points in the garden allowing for a view of much of the garden, and the surrounding scenery.

The garden also has gates on the four cardinal directions, a number of six-sided pavilions, sculptures, bells, several inscriptions painted large on wood and stone, and in one building, a small exhibit of Chinese paintings and of a model of the style of ship that would have journeyed to Fuzhou during the time of the Ryūkyū Kingdom to bring tribute and to engage in trade. The Chinese and Japanese concept "borrowing of scenery ("shakkei")" (借景, C:jie jing, J:shakkei) is also used, adding to the sense of the garden's size. One element indicative of Okinawa, however, is seen in the plants and trees chosen for the garden. Trees such as Murraya paniculata, a relative of the orange and mikan, called gekkitsu (月橘) in Japanese, and Acacia confusa, called sōshiju (相思樹) in Japanese, both native to the Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, and parts of Southeast Asia, were chosen for their aesthetic qualities, particularly for their flowers, which allow the garden's appearance and atmosphere to change with the seasons in a particular way appropriate for a traditional Chinese garden.

Access to the garden is open to the public; there is no admission fee, though it is only open certain hours of the day and is closed on some days...

Fukushūen Garden in Okinawa is a gem that truly deserves a 5-star rating. As you step through the gates, the expansive size and sheer beauty of the place become apparent. The garden's rich history adds a layer of fascination, while the abundance of natural elements like vibrant flowers and towering trees creates a serene atmosphere.

The man-made waterfall is a true masterpiece that left me speechless. Walking behind it, inside a small cave, felt like stepping into a secret world. For those seeking breathtaking views, the garden provides two elevated points that offer both visual delight and comfortable seating to soak it all in.

A quaint restaurant nestled at one of the entrances is managed by a group of remarkable women. Their warm hospitality and the scrumptious food they serve make the experience even more delightful. The fact that dining here grants complimentary access to the garden is a fantastic perk, and the generous portions of the delectable platters left my taste buds and tummy extremely satisfied.

And let's not forget the charming opportunity to feed the fish, adding a playful touch that's sure to bring a smile to anyone's face.

In my book, Fukushūen Garden easily ranks among the top spots to visit in Japan, making it an unforgettable destination, especially within the captivating...

We enjoyed Fukushuen so much we visited it twice: 1) once during the day during a typhoon, and then again the next day 2) at night to see a concert. It is definitely worth visiting during both the day and night. Please note the entrance ticket is 200円 before 6PM and 300円 after 6PM.

At the entrance, you can pay for your ticket, get a map, and buy fish food (100円 per bag). You can probably walk around in 30min if you go quickly, but you will want to take your time. I think we spent about 1.5 hours each time. It is a Chinese-style garden built using techniques from Fuzhou. There are a wide variety of flowers, trees, caves, gazebos, towers, wooden verandas, ponds, fountains, and waterfalls.

It is not a bad place to visit when it’s raining because there are many covered shelters and you can run from one to the next. It also looks beautiful in the rain. At night, there are illuminations all over the park. You can find interesting wildlife such as different kinds of geckos, frogs, snails, so many koi, and even Ryukyu fruit bats if you’re lucky.

I’d recommend visiting their website to check for events. We came back because we saw they had a small concert (for no extra price on top of admission) of traditional Okinawan music by artist Idumi Higa. It was lovely! But I’d also...