CHIBA

Mihama-en Japanese Garden

A Tranquil Oasis of Traditional Japanese Culture in Modern Chiba

Escape the urban bustle at Mihama-en, a meticulously designed 1.6-hectare strolling garden within Makuhari Seaside Park showcasing Japan's seasonal beauty through traditional landscaping.

Art & Culture Experience Scenery
Mihama-en brings traditional culture to life in the heart of modern Chiba Prefecture. Experience centuries-old Japanese garden artistry without leaving the Tokyo area.

Mihama-en brings traditional culture to life in the heart of modern Chiba Prefecture. Experience centuries-old Japanese garden artistry without leaving the Tokyo area.

Nestled within Makuhari Seaside Park, Mihama-en is a stunning example of a chisen-kaiyushiki teien (strolling pond garden) designed specifically to share traditional Japanese culture with visitors from around the world. The 1.6-hectare landscape masterfully recreates natural environments—mountains, rivers, forests, and seascapes—all within a carefully orchestrated space that reveals new perspectives with every step along its winding paths. The decoration applied to pine trees from around November to January each year, visible in the picture, is called yukitsuri. It protects the branches while also creating a distinctly wintertime landscape. The garden's lower pond serves as its centerpiece, featuring thoughtfully placed elements: a boat dock, sandy beach, and central islands connected by elegant bridges. Surrounding these water features, you'll discover charming gazebos, artificial hills, and meticulously designed pathways that invite leisurely exploration. Each season transforms the garden: cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, fiery autumn foliage, and serene winter landscapes. Together, they create an ever-changing canvas of natural beauty.

Beyond the scenery, Mihama-en offers an authentic taste of Japanese tradition at the Shorai-tei tea house. There, visitors can savor seasonal wagashi (Japanese sweets) from a venerable Chiba confectioner paired with premium matcha from a renowned Kyoto tea merchant, all while enjoying panoramic garden views.

Additionally, the garden regularly hosts cultural events including koto (Japanese harp) performances and guided tours of the garden and tea house, making traditional arts accessible to everyone regardless of experience level. Adding to the charm, colorful koi fish glide gracefully through the pond, and visitors can feed these beloved garden residents for a small fee (though feeding pauses during winter months in consideration of the fish's health).

All these elements combine to make Mihama-en an ideal place for those seeking a peaceful retreat, a cultural excursion, or simply a beautiful setting to slow down and appreciate nature's rhythms. This beautiful garden is proof that you don't need to venture to Kyoto to experience Japan's timeless garden artistry; it is accessible right here in Chiba.

Phone number

+81-43-296-0126

Business hours

Mihama-en Garden 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (last admission at 4:30 p.m.); Matcha service 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (ticket sales and admission until 4:00 p.m.)

MAP

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