Mifuneyama Rakuen, nestled in the southwest of Saga prefecture, offers a captivating view with meticulously tended azalea flowers and a beautiful mountain backdrop, creating a harmonious scenery that is sure to steal your heart.
Welcome to my blog! Today, I’d like to introduce you to the garden, located in Saga Prefecture. Although I haven’t had the chance to visit yet, I’ve conducted detailed research on its allure, and I’m delighted to share this information with all of you.
The video I’ve selected from YouTube is right here.
Tourist Attractions and Activities
Discover the Highlights
In the southwest of Saga prefecture, you’ll find a real treasure – the famous “Mifuneyama Rakuen” garden, boasting some of the most stunning azalea flowers you’ll ever lay your eyes on. These low bushes blossom from April to May and are meticulously tended to in gardens, sculpted into balls to create a visual feast.
While there are several renowned azalea spots throughout Japan, “Tsutsuji Valley” in Mifuneyama Rakuen stands out for its display of around 200,000 azaleas planted in perfect harmony, creating a stunning floral carpet.
Make sure not to miss out on the chance to catch a glimpse of rare varieties like “Kurume Tsutsuji” and “Hirado Tsutsuji.” Just picture yourself taking a stroll through this paradise, surrounded by the azalea flowers blooming in the valley, with the towering Mifune mountain and its wall as a stunning backdrop. It’s a sight that’s sure to capture your heart.
As you stroll through this paradise, you’ll be in awe of the wisteria tree, still blooming with exquisite purple and white flowers after more than 170 years. And when you need a break, the nearby tea house provides the perfect spot to sit back and bask in the scenery. But for a different perspective on the “Hirado Tsutsuji,” head to the flower viewing deck, located about 30 meters high on the walking path.
The Best Time to Visit
While the media may report that the azaleas are in full bloom from late April to early May, the actual timing can vary each year, sometimes reaching their peak around April 10th or already past their peak by early May. To avoid disappointment, make sure to contact “Mifuneyama Rakuen” directly or check their social media accounts, like Instagram, before planning your visit. And if you arrive a little earlier, you’ll be treated to the sight of approximately 5,000 cherry blossom trees, including Somei Yoshino and Yamazakura, in full bloom from late March. Plus, until early April, you can experience the magical lighting-up of 2,000 cherry blossom trees, the largest in Kyushu.
So don’t hesitate to visit “Mifuneyama Rakuen” and indulge in the splendid beauty of nature. It’s a feast for the senses that you won’t soon forget!
Culture, History, and Traditions
Mifuneyama Rakuen is a truly stunning example of landscape architecture, thoughtfully designed by a former regional lord over a three-year period to create a stunning villa and garden. This vast garden spans an impressive 500,000 square meters and was officially recognized as a National Registered Monument in February 2010.
The mountainous backdrop to Mifuneyama Rakuen is the magnificent Mifune Mountain, soaring to an impressive height of 210 meters. According to legend, this mountain emerged from the Ariake Sea around 3 million years ago, and its ancient majesty is palpable. Its name, “御船 : Mifune,” is derived from the Kanji characters for “御 : honorable” and “船 : boat,” and was bestowed by Empress Jingū, who anchored her vessel, also called a “mifune,” nearby upon her return from Korea.
Dining Guide
Dining within the Garden
In Mifuneyama Rakuen, there is a charming tea house called “Hagino Cha-ya” that was built during the late Edo period. It stands gracefully by the park’s pond and is only open to the public during the spring and autumn tourist seasons.
You can indulge in their delightful sets like “Dango and Matcha Set” or “Zenzai and Matcha Set.”
“Dango” is a traditional Japanese sweet made from rice flour. It is shaped into small balls and then skewered onto a stick, typically three to four at a time. Dango can be served in a variety of ways, such as plain, coated in sweet soy sauce, or covered in a sweet paste made from red bean or sesame. It’s a popular snack in Japan, often enjoyed with green tea.
”Zenzai” is a traditional Japanese sweet soup or porridge that is typically served with red beans (azuki beans) and mochi (sticky rice cakes). The beans are simmered until tender and sweetened with sugar, creating a rich and flavorful broth. The mochi is then added to the soup, creating a deliciously chewy texture. Sometimes, other ingredients such as chestnuts or sesame seeds are added to enhance the flavor.
If you’re staying at the Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel or the Guesthouse Chikurintei, you can also enjoy the cozy “Cha-ya Bar” inside the tea house. The Synergy Restaurant is another excellent option, where you can savor dishes made with local ingredients served in traditional vessels. It’s important to note that they’re closed on Mondays and the third Sunday of each month, and their operating hours are limited to lunch and dinner.
Dining outside the Garden
Additionally, the tourism association offers a website where you can explore various restaurants in the area, including Japanese, Western, Chinese, cafes, and izakayas. You can find detailed information such as photos, addresses, and contact information on the site, so I suggest checking it out before your visit.
Accommodation
Within Mifuneyama Rakuen, you’ll find two high-end hotels, while the surrounding area boasts plenty of lodging options that feature hot springs. The Takeo City Tourism Association website offers comprehensive details on each accommodation, complete with links to their dedicated websites and photos of the facilities. This website is a great resource for finding the perfect lodging that suits your preferences.
Transportation
There are various ways to travel to Takeo City, where Mifuneyama Rakuen is situated.
By plane
For those traveling by air, the closest airports are Nagasaki Airport and Kyushu Saga International Airport, although their flight schedules are limited. In case their flight timings don’t suit you, Fukuoka Airport is also an option with more frequent flights.
If you choose Nagasaki Airport, you can take a local bus for around 700 yen and 40 minutes to Eida bus stop, where you can catch the JR Kyushu operated Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen. From Isahaya Station, the Shinkansen will take you to Takeo-Onsen Station in approximately 15 minutes for around 2000 yen.
Saga Airport, on the other hand, requires multiple transfers between local buses and trains, making it challenging for international travelers to navigate due to variations in routes and train availability depending on the time of day. It is advisable to check the transportation options and routes at the airport’s information center before deciding to use it.
If you use Fukuoka Airport, you can take the subway to Hakata Station on JR Kyushu. The following shows how to get to Takeo City from Hakata Station.
By train
You can take the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen or the limited express train that departs from Hakata Station if you prefer to travel by train.
There is another Shinkansen line called the Kyushu Shinkansen, which goes to a different region, so be cautious not to confuse the two. Regardless of whether you choose the Shinkansen or the limited express train, disembark at Takeo-Onsen Station.
The limited express train takes about an hour and costs approximately 3000 yen, plus an additional 1000 yen if you want to reserve a seat. The Shinkansen takes about the same amount of time and costs about the same, but you’ll need to pay an extra 2000 yen for a reserved seat.
Getting from Takeo-Onsen Station to Mifuneyama Rakuen
It takes roughly 30 minutes to walk from Takeo-Onsen Station to Mifuneyama Rakuen. You can also take a taxi, which takes approximately 5 minutes to reach there. Alternatively, you can take a local bus, although it only runs about once per hour.
Budget and Transportation Tips
The admission fee for Mifune Mountain Park is 600 yen for adults, but if you opt to stay at the park’s hotel, the admission fee is waived.
If you need a break from walking around the park, it’s a great idea to unwind at a nearby hot spring. Mifune Onsen Motoyu, a charming wooden communal bathhouse, is situated on the other side of Mifune Mountain Park, about a 15-minute walk from Takeo Onsen Station(map). It’s open from early morning until late at night, and for a nominal fee of around 500 yen, you can experience an authentic Japanese-style bath.
There are numerous lodging options near Takeo Onsen Station. However, if you plan to visit Nagasaki or Fukuoka, it might be preferable to search for accommodations that fit your needs in the larger cities of Nagasaki or Hakata.
Weather Guide
The climate in Takeo City, where Mifuneyama Rakuen garden is located, ranges from a low of around 10 degrees Celsius to a high of around 20 degrees Celsius, making this season the most comfortable time of year to visit.
Since there is a temperature difference between morning and evening, as well as during the daytime, I suggest adjusting your clothing accordingly.
