Sengan-en

(Source : pixta)

Sengan-en is a large 50,000-square-meter "borrowed scenery" or Shakkei garden which emulates Kagoshima's famous Mt. Sakurajima as a mountain and Kinko Bay as a pond in the garden. This estate was a villa of the Shimazu clan who used to govern this area. The immaculately maintained garden still remains today. You will find the first gas lanterns in Japan called Tsuru Toro in the garden. It also has the remains of the reverberatory furnace that is now a part of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution Site. This site was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2015. It holds various events throughout the year, and the Chrysanthemum Festival in November is very famous.

(Source: pixta)

Garden Incorporating a Borrowed Landscape

This garden of a feudal lord incorporates Mt. Sakurajima and Kinko Bay into its landscape. This magnificent borrowed landscape garden utilizes a natural backdrop to create the stunning garden, which also displays different colorful scenery in each season.

(Source: pixta)

Cannon and Reverberatory Furnace Ruins

You will find the 150-pound iron cannon and the ruins of a reverberatory furnace upon entering Sengan-en. It used to be a feudal lord's garden, but it is also the birthplace of Japan's industrial revolution. Cannons and ships were built here for the first time in Japan to compete with other world powers. The ruin is inscribed on the World Heritage List as Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution Site.

(Source: pixta)

Guided Palace Tour

Sengan-en offers guided tours for visitors to gain insight of everyday palace life within the Shimazu clan. The palace was remodeled in 1884, and now one third of the building remains. The tour costs 600 yen in addition to the admission fee. At the end of the tour, Japanese tea and sweets are served while you enjoy the courtyard.

(Source: ランナーズブログ)

Hina Matsuri and Chrysanthemum Festival

Various seasonal events are held throughout the year in the Sengan-en. Among them is the well-known Chrysanthemum Festival which is held in November. The garden is decorated with yellow chrysanthemums, and a beautiful three-storied pagoda covered with chrysanthemums is displayed.