🌿 Shukkeien Garden — Hiroshima’s Pocket-Sized Paradise

#hellohalloween Tucked in the heart of Hiroshima, Shukkeien Garden (縮景園) is a tranquil retreat that feels worlds away from the bustle outside its gates. Originally built in 1620 by Asano Nagaakira, the feudal lord of Hiroshima, the garden’s name means “shrunken-scenery garden” — a nod to how it artistically condenses valleys, mountains, and lakes into a single, walkable landscape. With its graceful bridges, small islands, and meandering paths, every turn reveals a new miniature scene inspired by classical Chinese landscape aesthetics. Despite its peaceful charm today, Shukkeien has endured Hiroshima’s darkest moments. The garden was almost completely destroyed during the atomic bombing in 1945 but was lovingly restored to its original beauty in the decades after. Walking its paths now, there’s a subtle poignancy — a reminder of resilience and renewal. The central pond, teeming with koi fish, reflects both the surrounding pines and the quiet spirit of the city. I found the best way to enjoy Shukkeien was to slow down: sit on a bench overlooking the pond, listen to the rustling bamboo, and watch the light play across the water. It’s not a large garden, but that’s its strength — every corner feels intimate and meticulously composed. For me, it was a serene pause in Hiroshima, where nature, art, and history blend seamlessly into calm.