One of the best gardens i've visited in Japan. Though for me Japan is synonymous to a forest/garden, Sengan-en is one peaceful and breathtaking garden you can explore. There are shops and cafes that serve local dishes and the whole experience is so relaxing, if only it wasn't too hot (I was there when spring was almost over). Their matcha flavored food are great so must try. There are also quaint souvenir shops along the trails and they sell inexpensive practical items and cute trinkets. Aside from the garden trails and shops, they also have museum/showrooms if you want to be indoors. One of the best views is the one facing Mount Sakurajima.

Beautiful Japanese garden in a magnificent setting. Manicured and cared for and whilst busy there were still places to sit and take in the scenery in peace and quiet. Positioned to take in the view over the bay to the active volcano. Allow at least 3hrs to enjoy without rushing. Thank you to the owners for opening the garden for others to enjoy.

Sengan-en garden is a place that time looses its meaning. One can spend two to three hours wandering around. The garden overlooks Sakurajima volcano and the Kinko bay and is home to amazing sculpted trees, the residence of the former owners of the garden, flowers, a pond, restaurants and souvenir shops. The garden is simply amazing and especially during the time we visited, the autumn colors are said to be among the best in Japan.

There are beautiful gardens and views across the bay from the many different paths throughout. Additionally, there are several exhibits and shops. Really need to allow at least 2 hours to really appreciate this wonderful place.

Absolutely loved this garden! At first we didn’t realize quite how huge the gardens went, all of the beautiful shrines were fun to explore. Definitely read all of the little signs around the home & park the story is lovely. Worth paying 1,600 yen per person to see everything! The house was beautiful and told the story of the family living there through the years.

Even on an overcast day, with cherry blossoms faded and the view of the volcano across the water nonexistent, Sengan-en Garden is worth a visit. The beautifully manicured garden is filled with charming quirks and stunning details, and visitors are guided along a route that hits all the highlights. We enjoyed a leisurely hour strolling through Sengan-en, although we couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed by the abundance of gift shops, ice cream stands, and somewhat lackluster cafeterias along the way. Unfortunately, the garden has taken a very commercial direction that doesn't quite suit our taste.

Sengan-en gardens and the Shoko Shuseikan on Kagoshima are now the current remains of the Shimazu clan. Shimazu clan ruled most of the southern island of Kyushu for more than 700 years. Sengan-en is a villa built by the 19th lord, Shimazu Mitsuhisa. The villa built in 1658 and incorporated landscape garden with views of Sakurajima and Kinko Bay, it was used as a sort of guesthouse for the Shimazu clan and the Satsuma domain. The Shokoshukan museum is housed in the oldest stone built western style former Shuseikan machinery factory built in 1865 and houses 800 year history of the Shimadzu clan and their efforts to modernise Japan in the late 1800s based on western models of technology. Many fascinating artefacts to see, understand and learn. From the museum enter the Sengan-en is a villa complex. First on view is Japan first iron furnace from pictures from a Dutch textbook. Housed nearby is another museum which records, with models of buildings, Japan's fledgling industrial march. A path leads past the main gate to the Sengan-en villa. The villa is surrounded magnificently laid out gardens which can take up to 1.5 hours to walk round. Shorter walks are also laid out. All with beautiful views of Sakurajima and Kinko Bay round every turn. Leading up from the main entrance is the Tin Gate. Only the head of the clan and his eldest son may pass through it. The villa it self is a vast complex with a Fen Shui garden set within. As the whole villa is carpeted with tatami mats, we had to remove our shoes outside before entrance. There is a charge to enter. The gardens are beautifully set out but there are plenty of shops, boutiques and restaurants. Highly recommended.