Visiting Shofu-en, a lovely Japanese garden in Fukuoka

On December 21, we made a short trip to Shofu-en (松風園), a Japanese garden in a residential area of Chuo-ku, Fukuoka. The garden was originally used for the old mansion of Mr. Zenpachi Tanakamaru, the founder of Tamaya, a long-established department store that once existed in Fukuoka. After his death, the city of Fukuoka bought his house and opened as a Japanese garden on July 1, 2007.

Passing through the gate and going up some stone stairs, we came to a ticket booth. We have to pay a 100 yen entrance fee to go inside.

A view of the garden from the hall.

A tatami living room with the Shoji (障子) paper sliding door.

After visiting the tea room, we went back to the entrance hall. Then we walked in the garden.

The house seen from the garden.

We went further to the back of the building through the stone cobbles. There is an Azuma-ya (東屋) or the Octagonal pavilion in the back of the garden. It's the best place to rest, you can take a closer look at the big beautiful garden.