A garden with the motif of Hiroshima’s symbolic sceneries
Hiroshima Prefecture possesses numerous canyons against the backdrop of deep rolling woods, remote valley woodlands and places of scenic beauty within the Seto Inland Sea best symbolized by Miyajima. These scenes have been incorporated within the 6-hectare Sankei-en Garden through Japanese garden techniques. Located beside Hiroshima Airport, the garden is inside Chuo Shinrin Park and is divided into mountain, village and ocean zones. Along with the Flower Festival in early summer and the Maple Festival in autumn, there are also other events taking place all throughout the year such as the Plum Festival in March and the Moon-Viewing Party in September.
The 3 zones to enjoy different sceneries
The biggest highlight in the mountain zone is the Sandan-no-Taki (Three Step) waterfall. At a height of 14m and with 2 tonnes of water flowing every minute, Sandan-no-Taki resembles the three-level waterfall at Sandan-kyo Gorge that was recognized as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty. In the village zone, there is an image of a remote village with features such as a bamboo forest, a plum forest, a pond, and a maple valley. The peak times to view this zone are March for the plums, April for the bamboo and November for the fall colors. And as for the ocean zone which expresses the Seto Inland Sea, there are the central islands and bridges inside Oumi Pond and the Choken-tei reminiscent of Itsukushima Shrine, and from the path alongside the pond, you can also enjoy feeding the carp.
Various events throughout the year
During the Flower Festival held between mid-June and early July, the hydrangea garden with its stone walls which suggest terraced rice fields boasts 10,000 flowers of 100 species of the flower. The Kangetsukai Moon-Viewing Party held in September is an event associated with the Japanese custom of appreciating the moon on the nights of the full moon. The 2 nights when the garden is open has events such as recitals and a plan (reservations required) which includes special O-tsukimi bento lunches at Choken-tei, and is a time when you can enjoy the full moon alongside the illumination of the maple trees.