Such a lovely garden, definitely worth a visit! It’s right next Himeji castle. I literally spend hours here. Just walking around and taking in the view. It was very calming and relaxing. I enjoyed the little waterfalls the most.

Beautiful set of gardens - even in winter, I felt the tranquility across the space with sound of trickling water from the mini falls. Good place to chill at the tea house after a long walk and let the peace from the garden wash over you. I bet this place would be incredible in spring with everything blossoming all around. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

A great garden to walk around split into 13 different sections each themed differently. It looks like a large majority of the garden had an alternate wheelchair path also. The waterfall area at the beginning is one of the nicest features I've seen in a Japanese garden.

This garden is gorgeous! If you add 50yen to the Castle visit ticket, you can visit this garden. I’m always fascinated by koi carps, and I think it’s the most impressive ones I saw in Japan.

Koko-en is a set of nine Japanese gardens at the foot of Himeji Castle in Hyogo prefecture. Despite its very recent construction in the early 1990s, this large green space successfully provides an immersive discovery of feudal Japan’s traditional landscapes. Koko-en was inaugurated in April 1992, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Himeji city. It was designed to harmoniously blend with the famous White Heron Castle 🏯, that stands in the background at only a 5 minutes’ walk away. The vast gardens extend on a 3,5 hectares superficies, at the very location of the daimyo lord’s former western residence (Nishi-Oyashiki) and of a few other samurai houses.

We visited here after Himeji Castle. It was a lovely way to finish the day. I was glad to finally see some brightly colored koi up close. The guidance were very beautiful and well-maintained. We even saw a few of their gardeners maintaining the trees and plants. There is a large variety of gardens here and even an area where they grow various herbs and bonsai.

Another beautiful Japanese Garden close by to Himeji castle. A great waterfall viewing. Calm and good food in the restaurant as well. Worth stopping by after the castle visit.

Really beautiful gardens with different themed sections and a restaurant with a peaceful, serene setting looking out over a koi pond and waterfall. You can add entry to the garden to your castle entry for only ¥50 per person, well worth it!

One of the best spots for autumn foliage 🍁 that I have had the pleasure to see. Serene and beautiful. Going before 11am helps avoiding the crowds, but then you will miss the tea ceremonies that are available every half hour starting at 1pm. Entrance to the garden is normally ¥300 but you can get it for ¥50 if you buy it in combination with a ticket to himeji castle (which you definitely should).

Adjacent to Castle Himeji, the "Koko-en" Japanese Garden is a serene escape that seamlessly combines with history. Opting for the combo ticket with the Castle proves a smart move, practically making the garden entry a delightful bonus. Impeccably maintained, the garden's meticulous design is a testament to its beauty. Even in the fall, it unveils numerous breathtaking vistas. A visit is undoubtedly worthwhile, offering a peaceful interlude. Allocate around 45-60 minutes for a thoroughly enriching experience. Discover serenity beside Castle Himeji at "Koko-en" Japanese Garden. The well-kept grounds and captivating autumnal views make it a must-visit, especially with the combo ticket.

This is the best Japanese garden in all of Japan. Take your time, enjoy, be peaceful. Partake in a tea ceremony. I love this place so much!

Very interesting garden with lots of pond. Very relaxing. Try to visit this place early in the morning or late afternoon. Mid day during summer time is way too hot.

Absolutely stunning garden, well worth visiting! You can get a garden ticket combo with the Himeji Castle ticket. Allow at least an hour to walk around and enjoy the place. So much care is taken by the staff to make every single tree, shrub, bridge and water feature perfect.

I bought the combined ticket at Himeji Castle to enter the garden. The entrance is pretty far from the castle entrance (you'd have to cross the moat and walk along the main street for a bit). The last entry is at 4.30pm, so be sure to allocate slightly more time unless you don't mind the guards constantly reminding you to continue walking through the garden. The garden was so peaceful and zen; it felt like we had stepped into another world. You could lose track of time immersed the tranquility. There are some small huts where one can sit down and just enjoy the peace and quiet. Would definitely come back if given the opportunity.

Kokoen Garden is a pleasant addition to a visit to Himeji Castle, offering some lovely views with the castle as a backdrop. It's worth noting that there is an additional fee of 50 yen when purchasing the Himeji Castle entrance tickets to access the garden. However, if you have limited time, it's possible to skip the garden without missing out on too much. The garden itself provides a serene and peaceful atmosphere, with well-maintained landscapes and traditional elements. Strolling through the pathways, you'll encounter various themed gardens, each with its own charm. There are picturesque ponds, vibrant flora, and meticulously designed features that showcase the beauty of Japanese garden aesthetics.

One of the most beautiful gardens I've seen so far. If you purchase a ticket to Himeji castle, take the combi ticket. This way, the garden costs you around 50yen (~30cent). It has loads of different garden scapes and provides wonderful photo spots.

We paid for the ticket to visit both the castle and Koko-en. We felt like it was definitely worth the cost. The gardens were beautiful and extensive.

A beautiful, serene traditional Japanese garden right next to Himeji Castle. It is absolutely worth it to get the combo ticket for both the castle and this garden. Each location in the garden is meticulously put together and is a sight to behold from every angle. Don't miss coming to this spot after you visit the castle, especially in the spring and fall. Note, when I visited in the fall, there were mosquitos present, so dress accordingly.

We spent an hour in but it’s definitely not enough. There are restaurants and tea (coffee) shop in the gardens, too, if you need a place to take a break. Overall speaking, it’s worth a visit

Koko-en Garden in Himeji is an absolute gem! This exquisite garden, nestled in the heart of Japan, embodies sheer tranquility and natural beauty. The meticulous landscaping, picturesque ponds, and serene pathways make it, in my opinion, one of Japan's most breathtaking gardens. Each step feels like a journey through time and nature's artistry. A must-visit destination for anyone seeking solace and an appreciation for Japan's rich cultural heritage!

Not the most spectacular garden in Japan, but well worth a visit once you are in Himeji, especially as the combined ticket is only 50 ¥ more than a single entry to the castle. As always in Japan it's most beautiful in spring and autumn

Beautiful garden next to Himeji Castle. Different parts with various types of plants, ponds with koi fish. Try the cafe, nice food with a view across the pond.

Incredibly calm and beautiful Gardens. From the well manicured plants and shrubs, to the lovely koi in the lake, it is great to get away from the hustle and bustle of Himeji castle and chill. There are traditional Japanese rooms and pavements to walk through, and numerous Instagram worthy picture points all over. Great place for adults and kids to spend some time.

Great japanese garden with beautiful landscaped gardens and small structures for exhibitions and resting. This garden is right next to Himeji castle ground. It comprises of 13 sections and each has different species of plants and water ponds with lots impressive koi fish.

Beautiful garden, sadly enough came in the winter but I bet it must look amazing in spring and fall! The gardeners work very precise and deserve my uttermost respect!

I think that these gardens are often overlooked but that’s a shame! They’re so unique and a prime example of a Japanese garden. I would definitely recommend everyone to go here while you’re around. Tickets can be bought in combination with entry for the Himeji castle.

This is the tradicional Japanese garden… beautiful, calm, peaceful… manicured garden and variety of trees and plants. There is a traditional Japanese restaurant (for lunch) and a tea house… really worth to stop by

A very beautiful place. A must visit during the peak of autumn. It was so convenient to visit since the garden is literally beside the Himeji castle. This place gave me goosebumps because of how beautiful it is.

Very beautiful and idyllic place to enjoy an traditional japanese garden. For a very small extra charge of 50¥ on the combo ticket for Himeji Castle this was definetly worth it!

(Trip was made back then on 6 Dec 2019, 2 years before the Covid-19 Pandemic hit) Since we were visiting Himeji Castle we decided to pop by Kokoen Garden for a look. Even though it might not be as spectacular as some of the other autumn foliage sites we’ve visited in Shiga Prefecture, nevertheless, it’s still a beautifully landscaped garden which you can enjoy the autumn viewing experience. Considering that it costs only an additional 50 yen on top of the castle’s admission, why not take up the offer? It’ll be worth it.

I could feel the fresh spring wind on my face, a blue sky, the vegetation reviving after a harsh winter. Seeing the colorful flowers and the water flowing smoothly through the canals and lake was unique.

This was my second time to the gardens. Sitting at a price point of 310¥ or I think just an extra 50¥ as an add-on to castle admission, they are definitely worth seeing. There are I believe 12 unique gardens with various plants and water features. Tickets can be purchased in English and all directional signage is in both Japanese and English.

Beautiful Japanese style garden. It’s a peaceful small walk which takes around 30 min. You can sit, enjoy by the pond. There is a small restaurant inside the garden. It’s best to have a small meal and feel the beauty of the park.

Fabulous Japanese garden with not many visitors. The garden is divided into sections, surrounded by walls. It's very easy to have a section to yourself. There are shaded seating areas in most sections. My top two sections are the Lord's residence garden and the bamboo garden. If you are visiting Himeji Castle, the combined castle and garden ticket is only an extra ¥50. You can easily see it in an hour if you're short on time. There isn't any onsite parking, but there is paid parking opposite the entrance. This carpark would also be convenient for visiting the castle.