Fuzhou Garden is a Chinese-style garden located in Naha City.

This spot offers a relaxing mini-trip to China, with its Chinese-style buildings and well-maintained greenery. (Incidentally, in China, the term "garden" refers to a "private garden," so Fuzhou Garden is more accurately called a "garden forest.")

But you might be wondering, "Why is there a Chinese garden in Okinawa?" There's actually a deep reason for that. Kume in Naha City, where Fuzhou Garden is located, was originally a region called Kuninda, where people who migrated from Fujian Province in China around the 14th century lived. It is said that the people of Kuninda excelled in specialized skills such as interpretation and navigation, supporting the trade of the Ryukyu Kingdom and influencing education.

Given this historical background, Fuzhou Garden was opened in 1992 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the sister city agreement between Fuzhou City in Fujian Province, China, and Naha City, and the 70th anniversary of Naha City's incorporation as a municipality.

This article will cover Fuzhou Garden, an oasis in Naha, including its daytime and nighttime illuminations, the adjacent Kuninda Terrace, and information about the parking lot!

1. Stroll through Fuzhou Garden

Until now, Fuzhou Garden was only open during the day, but with its reopening in 2022 after renovations, it has also started opening at night, making it even more enjoyable!
Therefore, the prices differ between lunch and dinner.

[Lunch 9:00-18:00]
Adults (high school age and older): 200 yen, Children (elementary and junior high school students): 100 yen.
[Evening 18:00-21:00]
Adults (high school students and above): 300 yen; Children (elementary and junior high school students): 150 yen

1-1. A stroll through Fuzhou Garden at lunchtime

Fuzhou Garden is a walking course where you pay the entrance fee at the reception and then stroll around in a counter-clockwise direction. The main attraction is undoubtedly the beauty created by the Chinese-style buildings and the well-maintained greenery.

The harmonious blend of the magnificent architecture and beautiful flowers is truly soothing to behold.

The scenery is like something straight out of a Chinese movie; every corner is picturesque. For example, the circular rest area called "Chishuntei" is a perfect photo spot. You'll feel like you've become the protagonist of a Chinese film!

"Yazan and Yatei" is an iconic area of ​​Fuzhou Garden. You'll be surprised to see the dynamic waterfall, exclaiming, "Wow, there's even a waterfall?!" There's a rest area-like building on top of the mountain, and you can even climb up there.

In addition, this part of the mountain is like a cave inside, which is a highlight as it gives you a sense of adventure (you can peek at the waterfall from behind...!).

Because it is surrounded by walls, Fuzhou Garden's charm lies in its "hideaway" feel, as if it were a miniature garden cut off from the hustle and bustle of the city.

It's such a comfortable and inviting place that you'll be reluctant to leave, and you'll find yourself selfishly wishing you could take a walk here every day.

1-2. Fuzhou Garden at night is magical.

At night, Fuzhou Garden transforms completely from its daytime appearance into a fantastical world. The warm, inviting lighting, combined with colorful lights that switch every five minutes—blue, green, and more—creates a scene that makes you feel as if you've wandered into another dimension.

I was surprised by the contrast between the daytime and the different appearance of Fuzhou Garden when illuminated by the lights. Combined with the atmosphere created by the Chinese-style architecture, it gives off a somewhat mystical feeling.

On the other hand, the colorful lights shining in the darkness also give it a somewhat mysterious feel, and the dark atmosphere is part of what makes Fuzhou Garden so interesting at night. It's the same place, but it shows a completely different face during the day and at night, so I recommend visiting it at both times.

2. Kuninda Terrace

Kuninda Terrace is a community exchange space located next to Fuzhou Garden, primarily featuring historical exhibition booths. Admission is free, and it is a facility where you can learn about the history of Ryukyu and Kuninda (Kume Village).

Despite its compact size, it's characterized by its abundance of features designed for learning history. For example, touch panels are installed on the walls, allowing visitors to engage with history from a digital perspective.

One of the most unique exhibits is the "Sugoroku" (a Japanese board game). It's like a board game similar to "The Game of Life," offering an entertaining way to learn history that's sure to pique your interest! Exhibits using models are also available, making it a fun place to learn about history.

By the way, the area above Kuninda Terrace is a "rooftop garden," which is also recommended for a short stroll.

3. Access and Parking

Fukushuen is located in Kume, Naha City, about a 15-minute drive from Naha Airport. While Fukushuen does not have its own parking lot, the nearby coin-operated parking lot, "Mitsui no RePark Matsuyama Park," offers the first hour free, so it is recommended to use that.

If you walk straight down the alley opposite the entrance to Fuzhou Garden, you'll see the parking lot on your right after about 10 seconds. Please feel free to use it when you visit Fuzhou Garden.

Final thoughts

Fuzhou Garden truly lives up to its description as an "urban oasis." Its reasonable prices are also appealing, making it an easily accessible spot. Why not take a break from sightseeing in Naha, including Kokusai Street, and visit Fuzhou Garden?

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