Japan is well known for its amazing gardens. There are several types that follow different criteria and one of the finest, yet most overlooked is the Adachi Gardens and Museum just outside the town of Matsue. Matsue is located on the Sea of Japan on the southwestern side of the main island of Honshu. Click here for a video on Matsue including these amazing gardens.
We visited there earlier in 2024 and really enjoyed the area. The Adachi Gardens have been named “Japan’s Most Beautiful” for the 22nd year in a row by Sukiya Living Magazine and the Journal of Japanese Gardening. This is the number one site out of nearly 1,000 that are reviewed. It is different than any other we’ve visited in that you do not actually walk through the garden, but observe it from either within the museum or along the edges. From inside the museum, there are floor to ceiling glass panels with seating. This is very nice on a hot day as it is air conditioned!
But stepping outside, you’ll find excellent viewing spots in the shade. The views vary widely from stone gardens to moss gardens to one with large koi pond. There are two dining options available within the gardens. And just outside the entrance is another recently opened restaurant that we found very enjoyable. So if you’re on the western end of Honshu, you should plan a visit to this stunning garden.
