Urakuen

Urakuen is a historically significant Japanese garden located in the city of Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The garden was established in the early Edo period, around 1614, by Tokugawa Yorinao, the first lord of the Owari domain and a son of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Its name, Urakuen, is derived from the tea ceremony master Uraku, who is believed to have influenced its design.

The garden was originally part of the Nagoya Castle grounds and was designed to be a detached villa for the lord. It features a classic stroll garden style, characterized by its winding paths, carefully placed rocks, and a central pond. The design aims to create a sense of natural landscape within a confined space, inviting contemplation and appreciation of the changing seasons. Key elements include a teahouse, a small waterfall, and a variety of meticulously maintained trees and shrubs.

Urakuen has undergone renovations and restorations over the centuries, particularly after suffering damage during World War II. Today, it is a public park, offering visitors a tranquil escape and a glimpse into the aesthetics of Japanese garden design from the Edo period. The garden is particularly renowned for its association with the Owari Tokugawa family and its historical role in the political and cultural landscape of the region. It is considered a valuable cultural asset of Nagoya.