Mifuneyama Rakuen

Located at the southwestern foot of Mt. Mifune, the symbol of Takeo City, this huge Japanese garden covers an area of 150,000 tsubo. It is a garden with a pond-enkaiyu style, and is famous for its azaleas and autumn foliage.

It took three years to create the garden. In spring, 5,000 cherry trees, 200,000 azaleas, and 170-year-old giant wisteria trees bloom in turn, creating a vibrant display of seasonal colors. Every year, a flower festival is held from late March to early May, attracting many visitors. It is also known as a famous autumn foliage viewing spot, with clusters of maple trees and large maple trees turning red, orange, and yellow in the fall.

The name “Mifuneyama” comes from the fact that Empress Jingu tied her “Mifune” together when she returned from her conquest of Silla. Mifuneyama is also known as “Karafuneyama” because of its resemblance to a Chinese-style ship. At the western foot of the mountain is the Mifuneyama Paradise. Shigeyoshi Nabeshima, the 28th lord of Takeo in the Saga Domain, built a garden here over a period of about three years in order to construct a villa.

In spring, 2,000 cherry trees and 50,000 azaleas create a stunning backdrop against the cliffs of Mt. The scenery is reminiscent of Chinese landscape painting. Various events such as tea ceremonies and photo shoots are held during this season.

In summer, a digital art project created by the world-renowned ultra-technologists group “Team Lab” is projected onto the surface of the pond in Mifuneyama Rakuen, creating a powerful performance.

In autumn, famous spots such as the 170-year-old giant maple tree, the azalea valley, and the swinging slope will color Mt. The atmosphere differs from day to night, and the beauty of the autumn leaves over the pond is spectacular.

The entire garden is registered as a national monument (related to places of scenic beauty) as the “Former Takeo-Ou Lord Nabeshima’s Residence Garden (Mifuneyama Rakuen).

The garden was created by Funayama Rakuen. Construction of the garden took about three years until 1845 (Koka 2), and it was not until the end of the Meiji period (1868-1912) that cherry trees and large numbers of Kurume azalea and hirado azalea were planted, giving the garden its current appearance.

Funayama Rakuen Garden covers a total area of 150,000 tsubo. From the garden, visitors can view the precipitous cliffs of Mt.

Mifuneyama Rakuen is the site of the villa of Shigeyoshi Nabeshima, lord of Takeo, and its predecessor was a garden called “Haginooen,” which was created in 1845. The vast 150,000 tsubo garden was recognized as a registered national monument in 2010.

In spring, 2,000 cherry trees (Somei Yoshino, Yaezakura, etc.) adorn the steep cliffs of Mt.  Especially during the azalea blooming season, the park is covered with a carpet of azaleas, creating a spectacular view. In summer, visitors can experience a fantastical world of illumination that blends nature and art.

The following places of interest are located within Funayama Rakuen

Mt.
Azalea Valley with 200,000 azaleas
170-year-old giant wisteria tree
2,000 cherry trees
170 year old giant maple tree
300 year old camphor tree
Five hundred arhats
Haginoo Tea House