{"id":1926,"date":"2025-12-10T19:33:07","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T10:33:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/shibata-castle-_copied\/"},"modified":"2026-01-09T11:51:39","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T02:51:39","slug":"shimizuen","status":"publish","type":"spot","link":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/shimizuen\/","title":{"rendered":"Shimizuen"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_76 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\"><\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/shimizuen\/#What_Is_Shimizuen\" >What Is Shimizuen?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/shimizuen\/#Highlights_of_Shibata_Castle\" >Highlights of Shibata Castle<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/shimizuen\/#How_to_Enjoy_Your_Time_at_Shibata_Castle\" >How to Enjoy Your Time at Shibata Castle<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/shimizuen\/#Basic_Information\" >Basic Information<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/shimizuen\/#Access\" >Access<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/shimizuen\/#Recommended_Nearby_Ryokans\" >Recommended Nearby Ryokans<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/shimizuen\/#Ne\" >N\u00e9<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/shimizuen\/#Nearby_Accommodations\" >Nearby Accommodations<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-shimizuen\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_Shimizuen\"><\/span>What Is Shimizuen?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Shimizuen is a feudal lord\u2019s garden from the Edo period, located in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture, and is designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty. Its history is long, with records showing that construction began in 1598 under the local lord, Mizoguchi Hidemasa. Originally created as the secondary residence garden of the Shibata Domain\u2019s ruling Mizoguchi family, it was designed as a pure Kyoto-style strolling garden with the guidance of the shogunate\u2019s tea ceremony instructor, Agata S\u014dchi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The central pond is shaped in the cursive-script form of the character for \u201cwater,\u201d and five elegant teahouses are scattered around it. Thanks to the humid environment along the Shibata River, lush green moss thrives throughout the grounds, making it known as a \u201cmoss garden.\u201d In autumn especially, the contrast between the deep green moss and the vibrant red and yellow leaves creates a mysterious, enchanting atmosphere that has captivated visitors for generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"spot-middle-banner-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/33607070_m.webp\"\/><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"highlights-of-shibata-castle\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Highlights_of_Shibata_Castle\"><\/span>Highlights of Shibata Castle<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The garden at Shimizuen is rich with moss due to the high humidity, and the grounds are enveloped in silence. Especially in the early morning or after rainfall, a mystical atmosphere spreads throughout. The vivid green moss, the colorful autumn maple leaves, and the reflections of the study halls and teahouses on the pond create picture-perfect scenes from every angle, attracting many photographers. Seasonal flowers\u2014such as satsuki azaleas in spring and irises in early summer\u2014add color to the garden, offering beautiful scenery no matter the time of year. During the autumn foliage season (typically mid-November), nighttime illumination is held, making the reflections of the maples on the pond even more enchanting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The five teahouses found in the garden today\u2014<em>Kiran<\/em>, <em>Y\u016bkatei<\/em>, <em>D\u014djinsai<\/em>, <em>Suit\u014dan<\/em>, and <em>Sh\u014dgetsu-tei<\/em>\u2014were built in the Sh\u014dwa period by the renowned garden designer Tanaka Taiami, a native of Kashiwazaki who was also involved in the restoration of Ginkakuji\u2019s garden in Kyoto. Although the interiors are not usually open to the public, they may be accessible during special events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shimizuen offers more than just a garden; the surrounding historical structures are also key highlights. The local history museum within the grounds exhibits materials related to the Shibata Domain, regional archaeological and folk artifacts, and displays about Ch\u016bshingura hero Horibe Yasubee, allowing visitors to learn about Shibata\u2019s past. The museum also houses the prefecture-designated Important Folk Cultural Property\u2014the <em>Shibata Festival\u2019s \u201cKenka Yatai\u201d<\/em> float\u2014as well as additional artifacts related to Horibe Yasubee, offering insight into local traditions. The museum building itself is a former storehouse once used to store rice, and its appearance alone conveys a sense of history.On the east side of the garden stands a restored <em>ashigaru<\/em> row house dating from the late Edo period, where visitors can glimpse the simple living conditions of foot soldiers. Near the parking area is the <em>Ishiguro Residence<\/em>, a samurai house from the former Shibata castle town, which can be entered free of charge and allows visitors to enjoy the atmosphere of a traditional warrior\u2019s home. When visiting Shimizuen, exploring these surrounding historical buildings alongside the garden is highly recommended, as it deepens your understanding of daily life and castle-town culture of the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n  <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives\">\n    <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__list\">\n              <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item\">\n          <div class=\"item-col\" data-offer=\"1\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/28305471_m.webp\" alt=\"\">\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item-modal\" data-offer=\"1\">\n          <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item-modal__content\">\n            <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives-image\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/28305471_m.webp\" alt=\"\">\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"nearby-attractives-comment\">\n              <div class=\"nearby-attractives-comment__author\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e58eb24ca48878011a2a5b98214ea39d05940534255cb42fc811b7bd1083409c?s=96&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g\" alt=\"\">\n                <span>ryokanbook_en_admin<\/span>\n              <\/div>\n              <p class=\"nearby-attractives-comment__desc\">Autumn colors at Shimizuen<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n              <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item\">\n          <div class=\"item-col\" data-offer=\"2\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/33607069_m.webp\" alt=\"\">\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item-modal\" data-offer=\"2\">\n          <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item-modal__content\">\n            <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives-image\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/33607069_m.webp\" alt=\"\">\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"nearby-attractives-comment\">\n              <div class=\"nearby-attractives-comment__author\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e58eb24ca48878011a2a5b98214ea39d05940534255cb42fc811b7bd1083409c?s=96&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g\" alt=\"\">\n                <span>ryokanbook_en_admin<\/span>\n              <\/div>\n              <p class=\"nearby-attractives-comment__desc\">The fresh greenery and tranquil pond of Shimizuen<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  \n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-liquid-speech-balloon liquid-speech-balloon-wrap liquid-speech-balloon-00\"><div class=\"liquid-speech-balloon-avatar\"><\/div><div class=\"liquid-speech-balloon-text\"><p>The exterior features a beautiful contrast of black and white. You can also enjoy cherry blossoms in the spring and vibrant autumn leaves in the fall.<\/p><div class=\"liquid-speech-balloon-arrow\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-enjoy-your-time-at-shibata-castle\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Enjoy_Your_Time_at_Shibata_Castle\"><\/span>How to Enjoy Your Time at Shibata Castle<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When visiting Shimizuen, be sure to view the beautiful garden from the shoin, just as the feudal lord once did. The shoin (Shimizudani Palace) was built during the era of the third domain lord and has a simple, restrained design due to political considerations toward the shogunate. From the veranda of the shoin, you can overlook the entire garden, and this spot offers the only full panoramic view within the grounds. On the south side of the shoin is a pond, and in the wide veranda, sliding doors with long horizontal glass panels\u2014called yokogaku sh\u014dji\u2014are used. Remarkably, these were designed so that when seated in a formal kneeling position, the garden appears framed perfectly at eye level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A strolling garden is one designed to be appreciated while walking through it, and at Shimizuen the scenery shifts beautifully as you move. The garden incorporates a variety of artistic techniques. For example, elements of the Eight Views of \u014cmi are skillfully woven into the design, creating a sense of depth in the landscape. Within the pond are three islands\u2014Rock Island in the southwest, Turtle Island in the southeast, and Middle Island in the northwest\u2014each connected by stone bridges. Following the designated walking route offers a curious experience in which the number of rocks on Rock Island appears to change from two to three as you progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By experiencing both \u201cstill appreciation\u201d\u2014sitting in the shoin and quietly viewing the garden\u2014and \u201cstrolling appreciation,\u201d in which you walk around the pond and enjoy the changing scenery, you can fully appreciate the many charms of Shimizuen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Parking at Shimizuen is limited to about 20 spaces for regular cars (with room for large buses), so arriving early is recommended during the autumn foliage season. Shimizuen remains open during winter, but please note that it is closed at the end of the year (December 27\u201331).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Around Shimizuen, you will find many attractions that preserve the atmosphere of the former castle town, such as the Shibata Castle ruins (Shiroyama Park), samurai residence remains, and the hot spring town of Tsukioka Onsen, which features foot baths. About 15 minutes away by car, the roadside station \u201cKajikawa\u201d offers a local farmers&#8217; market, a popular bakery, and is also known as a cherry blossom viewing spot. Be sure to visit these places along with Shimizuen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-vk-image-photoFrame-tilt-left\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/28305471_m-1024x768.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1933\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/28305471_m-1024x768.webp 1024w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/28305471_m-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/28305471_m-1536x1152.webp 1536w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/28305471_m-1x1.webp 1w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/28305471_m.webp 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"basic-information\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Basic_Information\"><\/span>Basic Information<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Spot Name:\uff1aShimizuen<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Opening Hours\uff1a<br>\u30fbMarch\u2013October: 9:00\u201317:00<br>\u30fbNovember\u2013February: 9:00\u201316:30<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Closed\uff1aTuesdays (or the following day if Tuesday is a national holiday), and year-end (around Dec 27\u201331)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Admission\uff1a<br>Adults 700 yen, Children (elementary &amp; junior high) 300 yen<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"access\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Access\"><\/span>Access<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d25171.558724866187!2d139.2902914743164!3d37.94339800000001!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x5f8b31785f3087af%3A0x9c8014163748d51c!2z5riF5rC05ZyS77yI5pen5riF5rC06LC35b6h5q6_77yJ!5e0!3m2!1sja!2sjp!4v1766071051798!5m2!1sja!2sjp\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" style=\"border:0;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p>Adress\uff1a7-9-32 Daiei-machi, Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture 957-0056<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Access\uff1a<br>\u30fb<strong>Train:<\/strong> About 7 minutes on foot from JR Hakushin Line <em>Shibata Station<\/em><br>\u30fb<strong>Car:<\/strong> About 10 minutes from the Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway <em>Seiro-Shibata IC<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Parking\uff1a<br>About 20 spaces for regular cars (large buses also accepted)<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"pickup-ryokan-banner\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Ne_226_PR-2-scaled.webp);\">\n        <div class=\"pickup-ryokan-wrapper\">\n            <div class=\"pickup-ryokan-banner-header\">\n                <h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Recommended_Nearby_Ryokans\"><\/span>Recommended Nearby Ryokans<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"pickup-ryokan-info\">\n                <div class=\"pickup-ryokan-titleset\">\n                    <h3 class=\"pickup-ryokan-name\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ne\"><\/span>N\u00e9<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n                    <p class=\"pickup-ryokan-description\">Auberge \u2018N\u00e9\u2019 opened in October 2025 in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture, as an exclusive one-group-per-day stay-and-dine experience. The name \u2018N\u00e9\u2019 carries dual meanings: \u2018\u6839 (root)\u2019 in Japanese and \u2018born\u2019 in French, reflecting the concept of creating new value by making abundant use of Niigata\u2019s local blessings.<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <a class=\"pickup-ryokan-button text-white bg-brand\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/ryokan\/ne\/\">View More ><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"nearby-accommodations\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Nearby_Accommodations\"><\/span>Nearby Accommodations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"ryokan-cards\"><div class=\"ryokan-card\">\n            <a class=\"ryokan-card__link\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/ryokan\/ne\/\">\n                <figure class=\"ryokan-card__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Ne_226_PR-2-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"N\u00e9\"\/><\/figure>\n                <div class=\"ryokan-card__titleset\">\n                    <div class=\"ryokan-card__title-wrapper\">\n                        <span class=\"ryokan-card__title\">N\u00e9<\/span>\n                        <p class=\"ryokan-card__area-info\">Niigata Prefecture<\/p>\n                    <\/div><ul class=\"ryokan-card__tag-list\"><\/ul><\/div>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What Is Shimizuen? Shimizuen is a feudal lord\u2019s garden from the Edo period, located in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture, and is designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty. Its history is long, with records showing that construction began in 1598 under the local lord, Mizoguchi Hidemasa. Originally created as the secondary residence garden of the Shibata Domain\u2019s ruling Mizoguchi family, it was designed as a pure Kyoto-style strolling garden with the guidance of the shogunate\u2019s tea ceremony instructor, Agata S\u014dchi. The central pond is shaped in the cursive-script form of the character for \u201cwater,\u201d and five elegant teahouses are scattered around it. Thanks to the humid environment along the Shibata River, lush green moss thrives throughout the grounds, making it known as a \u201cmoss garden.\u201d In autumn especially, the contrast between the deep green moss and the vibrant red and yellow leaves creates a mysterious, enchanting atmosphere that has captivated visitors for generations. Highli<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1930,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true},"area":[82],"purpose":[],"ryokan-tags":[106,108],"spot-category":[],"class_list":["post-1926","spot","type-spot","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","area-shibata","ryokan_tag-access-by-public-transport","ryokan_tag-car-free-trip"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/spot\/1926","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/spot"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/spot"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1930"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1926"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"area","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/area?post=1926"},{"taxonomy":"purpose","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/purpose?post=1926"},{"taxonomy":"ryokan_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ryokan-tags?post=1926"},{"taxonomy":"spot-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/spot-category?post=1926"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}