About Shohinken Garden

Hello there!
This is Maru, a writer for Sarukuma 🙂🙃

Today I’m introducing a beautiful spot located in Kita-no-Maru, Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture:
Shohinken (松浜軒).

Shohinken is a residence and garden built in the early Edo period by Lord Matsui Naoyuki, the lord of Yatsushiro Castle.

It’s also a famous spot for iris flowers — and at the end of May, they were right at peak bloom! 🍃🌱

The parking lot is located across the street from Shohinken.
Look for the signage at the intersection — you can’t miss it!

Here’s the admission fee.

You’ll be asked to write your name at the entrance.

You can also peek at exhibits related to the Matsui family — a nice glimpse into local samurai history.

Inside the grounds you’ll also find two small Shinto shrines.

Restrooms are located near the entrance.

What Makes Shohinken Special

The breathtaking Higo iris flowers.

They look stunning against the traditional architecture. There are reportedly 5,000 plants here!
You can stroll around the pond and the buildings, though entry inside the buildings themselves isn’t permitted.

A magnificent feudal lord’s garden.

There are stepping stones you can walk across, and the water lilies make a beautiful pairing with the irises.
While the irises are the highlight, seasonal flowers bloom here throughout the year 🌼*･

The surrounding trees glow with deep, rich green — simply gorgeous.

The mighty old trees, bursting with life, are truly awe-inspiring… they almost seem to be merging with the building itself!

Sights like this really get the imagination going.

Surrounded by trees with moss spreading across the ground, the atmosphere here would be the perfect setting for a Studio Ghibli soundtrack — think “Princess Mononoke” vibes! (^^)

There’s a covered bench tucked toward the back, but the footing can be uneven, so families with young children should watch their step.

You’ll spot a few colorful koi swimming in the pond.

There’s also a charming little bridge…

This one is narrow, so be careful with your footing.

The paths around the back of the pond can be narrow and bumpy in places, so we recommend holding hands with little ones as you walk through!

Originally, the irises were planted not as a dedicated iris garden but as accent flowers to enhance the garden landscape.
The site invites visitors to enjoy the elegant harmony and atmosphere these blooms bring.

The simple joy of admiring flowers and trees has truly been timeless across the centuries.

Come and enjoy the seasonal flowers — especially the iris blooms — for yourself! (^O^)
The Yatsushiro Castle Ruins Park is also nearby, so why not combine both in one visit? 🏯

Shohinken Information

Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is current as of the time of reporting. Prices and hours are subject to change. Please confirm before visiting.