The Ultimate Harmony of Nature and Art

Admire a Japanese garden that borrows the stunning mountain landscape of Takeo City

Natural and man-made beauty come together in Keishu-En, a vast, 9,000-square-meter traditional Japanese garden in Saga Prefecture. Gaze out upon restless waters flowing around some 2,000 tons of rock arrangements, with Mt. Mifune as a backdrop. The tea plantation housed within is an extension of the dynamic scenery designed by Kinsaku Nakane, a prominent landscape architect.

Colorful azaleas and weeping cherry trees adorn the lush green background in spring. In summer, the flowing rivers whisper in perfect harmony with the chirping cicadas. In autumn, striking foliage forms a crimson tunnel, while in winter layers of silky snow paint the garden a pure white. At Keishu-En, you can experience the best of the season no matter when you visit.

After exploring the garden, art lovers will relish the chance to stop at the Yoko Museum, which houses a veritable treasure trove of Japanese and Chinese ceramics. If you have a little extra time, relax and enjoy a piping hot cup of matcha tea and some Japanese confectioneries at the Mifune-Jaya Teahouse, set in a Japanese-style arbor, to finish up the day in elegant style.
Access: From Hakata Station, take the Huis Ten Bosch limited express to Takeo Onsen Station (about one hour), then transfer to the Kyushu Bus line headed for the Karekito stop (about seven minutes).

Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Yoko Museum Japanese Garden: Keishu-En