Facilities and Highlights
Explore the Garden’s Diverse Plant Collections
The botanical garden offers a variety of facilities and themed gardens, allowing visitors to discover plants from different environments while enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
Botanical Garden Hall: The garden’s central facility, providing visitor information and details about events and activities.
Lawn Plaza: An open green space ideal for picnics, relaxing, and outdoor recreation.
Herb Garden: A collection of aromatic herbs where visitors can appreciate their fragrances and varied appearances.
Rock Garden: A distinctive landscape featuring rocks arranged among carefully selected plants.
Observation Deck: Located on elevated ground, this viewpoint offers sweeping views of Okayama City.
Greenhouse: A year-round attraction featuring tropical and desert plants, including species that thrive in environments very different from Japan’s climate.
Rose Garden: Home to a variety of roses, offering changing colors and scenery depending on the season.
Historical Sites and Cultural Heritage
Ipponmatsu Kofun
Located at the highest point within the garden, Ipponmatsu Kofun is a keyhole-shaped burial mound built in the latter half of the 5th century. Measuring approximately 65 meters in length, it offers a glimpse into the burial traditions of Japan’s Kofun period. Artifacts excavated from the mound are now held by the Tokyo National Museum.
Handayama Water Reservoir
The Handayama Water Reservoir was built during the Meiji period and remains in operation today. One of its most distinctive features is its circular reservoir, a relatively rare design in Japan. In December 2004, the reservoir was designated a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan, together with the former office building and water-measuring room.
Former Office Building
This single-story wooden building once served as the botanical garden’s office. Although it is now used for storage, it remains part of the site’s historical landscape and reflects the garden’s development over time.
History of the Botanical Garden
From Waterworks Land to a Botanical Garden
The development of Handayama Botanical Garden began in April 1953, using land originally associated with a water reservoir operated by the Okayama City Waterworks Bureau. The garden officially opened in May 1964 as the Okayama City Handayama Botanical Garden, managed by the bureau. It was subsequently redeveloped as an urban park and urban greening botanical garden, evolving into the diverse green space visitors enjoy today.
Key Dates
April 1953: Construction and landscaping work for the botanical garden began.
May 1964: The Okayama City Handayama Botanical Garden officially opened under the management of the Okayama City Waterworks Bureau.
May 1974: The first greenhouse was renovated and opened to the public as a desert plant greenhouse.
April 1988: The garden received 30 varieties of tree peonies, totaling 1,000 plants, donated by Luoyang, China.
December 2004: The water reservoir, former office building, and water-measuring room were registered as Tangible Cultural Properties.
May 2014: The garden held events celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Visitor Information and Events
Opening Hours and Admission Fees
The garden is generally open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with last admission at 4:00 p.m. It is closed on Tuesdays and during the year-end and New Year holiday period. If a Tuesday falls on a public holiday, the garden closes the following day instead.
Admission fees:
Adults aged 15 and over: ¥308
Children aged 6–14: ¥124
Adult annual pass: ¥1,234
Group discounts and parking fees also apply. Visitors should check the latest information before traveling, as fees and operating schedules may change.
Annual Cherry Blossom Festival
One of the garden’s most popular seasonal events is its annual Cherry Blossom Festival, usually held from late March to mid-April. During the festival, visitors can enjoy the blossoms, and nighttime cherry blossom viewing is also available during the event period.
The festival began in 1977 and has become a longstanding spring tradition. With flowers and greenery throughout the grounds, the garden is an inviting place to welcome the arrival of spring in Okayama.
How to Get There
By Public Transportation
From Hōka-in Station on the JR Tsuyama Line, the garden is approximately a 15-minute walk away. Alternatively, visitors can take an Okaden Bus or Uno Bus from JR Okayama Station. The nearest bus stop is within a five-minute walk of the entrance.
By Car
The garden is approximately 10 minutes by car from JR Okayama Station and around 15 minutes from Okayama Interchange on the Sanyo Expressway. Parking is available, with a fee of ¥300 per standard passenger vehicle per visit.
With its extensive plant collections, seasonal flower displays, panoramic city views, and historical sites, Okayama City Handayama Botanical Garden is an excellent place to enjoy nature at a relaxed pace. Visit in spring for cherry blossoms, explore the themed gardens throughout the year, or combine a stroll among the greenery with a look into Okayama’s local history.