A traditional Japanese stroll garden laid out in the early Edo period on the northeastern slope of the castle grounds. The design draws on the Chinese landscape gardens of Lake Dongting — the name itself, Genkyu, is the Japanese reading of Xuanpu, a mythical garden in ancient Chinese poetry. A central pond with islands, a teahouse, stone lanterns, and carefully shaped trees create a space of controlled elegance.
Genkyu-en is best visited in spring for cherry blossoms or autumn for the maples, both of which are lit up for evening viewing during peak season. Entry is separate from the castle and costs a few hundred yen extra, but it is worth it for the view back up at the keep from the water's edge.