Sankeien Garden

This Japanese garden was created in 1993 to commemorate the opening of Hiroshima Airport. Located about a 5-minute walk from the airport, it is an easy place to stop by for a stroll when flying in or out.

The expansive grounds cover approximately 6 hectares and were landscaped using natural stone from Hiroshima Prefecture and stone excavated during airport construction. Japanese gardening techniques are used to represent Hiroshima’s coastal, mountainous, and rural landscapes. The coastal zone evokes the Seto Inland Sea with features such as the “Great Sea,” while the mountain zone recreates lush forests and valleys through natural woodland and the “Three-Tiered Waterfall.” The satoyama zone features bamboo groves, plum groves, and other elements of the traditional rural landscape.

Flowers bloom throughout the garden year-round, including approximately 10,000 hydrangeas of about 100 varieties and an iris field planted with approximately 2,000 Japanese irises. The garden is also known as one of Hiroshima’s leading fall foliage destinations. The Maple Festival is held from early to late November, when the colors are at their peak. On weekends and public holidays, hours are extended and the garden is illuminated after dark.