CONTRIBUTED BY MARY RICHARDSON
One of my favorite places in Okinawa is Fukushen Garden in downtown Naha. I’m happy to introduce it to all you.
I really hope you visit there one day when you’re in the area. The garden is a perfect respite from the business of every day life, or if you’re creatively inclined, a perfect backdrop for gorgeous pictures.
Ever read Lisa See’s novels Peony in Love or Snow Flower and the Secret Fan? Both novels take place in China and have vivid descriptions of lush gardens with stone sculptures and charming secluded spots.
It hit me one day that Fukushen Garden seemed familiar to me somehow, and then I realized that it resembles something out of those stories. Walking through it, I can’t help but think about ancient secret writing systems, silk embroidery, and family honor and traditions. (Okay, and maybe some foot binding and lovesick maidens too) However, even without reading those books, the scenery is pretty cool.
Come along and take a look.
I love this Chinese Zodiac Bridge
Step across a waterfall
Shady stone path 
Contemplate Carved pillars and emblems
I'm a huge believer in letting you experience some surprises for yourself, so I won't give all the good stuff away here. Go, combine it with a Kokusai Street shopping day, and see for yourself...
Getting there is easy:
Take 58 South towards Naha. You'll pass Camp Kinser and as you approach downtown, look for Rte 42. Take a right there and go straight. You'll be traveling opposite or away from Kokusai street direction. The Gardens are on your left. Look for 2 giant shiisa dogs in front. There is a park on the right side and a parking lot next to the park. Admission is free.
I love the Fukushuen Gardens, too. I’ve taken portraits of people there…it’s a nice spot for photography. The few times I’ve been there, the lady at their front desk has always asked if I’m American, and then lets us in for free. So, I think it might be free for Americans. I’m not sure if locals have to pay or not.
We went to the gardens today and it is beautiful! Every idea you may have of what a Japanese/Chinese garden fulfilled. Take your time to see all the details and wander all the paths.
A note on the directions though. It is a right turn at 42 if you are coming south on 58. Take a right (directly in front of the entrance to the gardens) just after the park on your right to reach the parking.
Yep, right turn onto 42 after passing Camp Kinser, as Amanda points out. Also, the “lions” are Shisha (or shishi) dogs.
Absolutely beautiful gardens! Please remember to use insect repellant (the mosquitos were hungry) and carry something to wipe perspiration away so that your pictures will be beautiful. It can be very humid and hot inside the gardens in the summer months due to all the water inside and vegetation.You will certainly have PLENTY of places to take pictures inside the garden area. It is simply breathtaking! Please note that the initial posted directions are incorrect and need to be changed to show a LEFT turn onto route 42, and entrance to the gardens was free!
Thanks to all for pointing out the mistake in the directions! Yes, it is a right turn on the 42.
I repeat….A RIGHT turn. LOL. Enjoy and ensure you explore!!!!
Hello, I am a civilian here visiting my girlfriend and her husband stationed on Kadena. We took a cab to the gardens this past wed, which was pretty expensive and found out they are closed on Wednesdays! I thought I would post this so no one else makes the same mistake. Thanks for all the reviews here…. it has been my number one resource!
has anyone taken kids here?
Yes! My kids had a blast hiking up and down the little trails. My youngest was only 18 mo and still had fun. And the feeding of the fish is fabulous for them too! More pix of our kids there: http://joelle71.wordpress.com/2009/01/10/fukushu-en-gardens/
We took our kids here as well and they loved it! Their ages are 4, 3, and newborn! I loved this place! Don’t forget your camera!
It was totally free when we went yesterday, and the lady at the front just smiled as we walked in. Also a group of Japanese people followed in after us, and they didn’t pay either. It was gorgeous!
Does anybody know the park hours?
This Fukushu-En garden was originally posted in a previous Okinawa Hai article December 6, 2007 here:
http://www.okinawahai.com/2007/12/fukushu-en-chin.html
The hours are 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Closed on Wednesdays. If a Japanese holiday falls on a Wednesday, the garden is open on the holiday and closed on the next day (Thursday) The hours in the original article are incorrect for closing at 4:00pm, it is open until 6:00pm.
The original article lists entry fees however, this garden is now FREE but there is a booth at the entrance and the woman there may ask where you are from and how many people in your group since they keep track of the number of visitors. If she is not there, you should make sure to stop by while exiting to give that information to her.
You can also check the driving directions listed above and in the 2007 article. Look for the small free parking lot for the garden in the adjacent Matsuyama Park (mostly shaded parking, too!) which is open the same hours as Fukushu-En garden. Do not park in this small lot unless going to the garden, and after visiting the garden you should move your car to another parking area if staying in the area. Occasionally the garden staff will check that small parking lot. There is another newer, larger parking area just past the first lot. That parking lot is open limited hours and may have limited use. As with all parking lots, make sure you secure your belongings in the car (do not let anything valuable or bags/purses/cameras, etc. in view) and check that it is locked.
If you are walking around Naha City sightseeing and in the southern end of Kokusai Street near the Ryubo Department Store (Palette Kumoji) and the Okinawa Government Buildings, the gardens are only about a 10 minute walk away (500 meters). There is a wide divided street (though not clearly labeled, this is Route 42) in ‘front’ of Ryubo Store (where the outside stairs and large ‘stainless steel pipe clock’ are located). Walk west on this street towards the adjacent Yui Rail (monorail) Kencho-Mae station; away from Kokusai Street. Continue walking on this road under the station, across the Asato River and after a few blocks you will be at the intersection with Route 58. (This intersection, called Kumoji 久茂地, is the central point of the famous Naha Tug-of-War held each October. It is here at this intersection where the two ends of the massive rope are brought together and connected as part of the pre-tug festivities and rituals.) Cross over Route 58 and continue walking. After a few blocks, on the left side of the street you will see the white (but fading) concrete wall and then the entrance for the gardens.
At the garden be careful when walking on the stone paths or climbing around on the stone tower with the waterfall. The steps and rocks can be very slippery when wet, either from the waterfall or rain.
I have been to Fukushu-En garden often and at various times of the year; under the scorching summer sun, in the ‘cold’ (50’s degrees F) cloudy, grey days of winter, and even during a light rain. The gardens are extremely peaceful and calming anytime of year.
i was wondering does anyone know if you can brings dogs in. we are wanting to take our family pictures there with our dog? thanks
Does anyone know if the hours are still until 6 pm????
Tip: You can walk behind the waterfall.