Shotoen Garden 松濤園

One of the biggest draws on Shimo-Kamagari Island is Shotoen, a beautiful Japanese garden with perfectly kept grounds of raked pebbles and evergreen trees.

Shotoen also has a five-tiered stone lantern, stone animal sculptures, and amazing views of the ocean and Kamagario Bridge, which stretches across to Kami-Kamagari Island.

Take the Setouchi Sanko bus from Hiro or Nigata stations on the JR Kure Line, get off at the Minose bus stop, and walk 1 minute.

Shotoen has four museums, each housed in a relocated or reconstructed Japanese house from various parts of Japan. Goryo Ichibankan introduces the history of Korean envoys to Japan. The Ceramics Museum exhibits old Imari ceramics. At Akari no Yakata, visitors can enjoy a collection of lamps from around the world. Kamagarijima Gobansho is a reconstruction that was located on Shimo-Kamagari Island during the Edo period (1603-1867). The park is also home to a strolling garden, where visitors can enjoy the scenery in all four seasons.

The Ceramics Museum is a beautiful traditional wooden structure with tatami mats and has scenic views of the coast. Visitors can feel the cool sea breeze flowing in through the open windows and doors, making it the perfect place to take a break during the hot summer months.

The Goryo Ichibankan (Korean Envoys to Japan Museum) also displays a large diorama depicting the history of the town and a very accurately reconstructed 1:10 scale model of a Korean envoy ship.

Please check the official website for the latest information.