Minami Rakuen, located in Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture, is a Japanese garden with a pond that opened in 1985. It is designed around the theme of "mountains, villages, towns, and seas," and visitors can experience a variety of traditional Japanese landscapes as they stroll through the garden. In particular, the garden is decorated with beautiful flowers throughout the year, such as cherry blossoms and azaleas in spring, 250,000 irises in early summer, and autumn leaves in autumn, attracting visitors. The majestic scenery that makes the most of the vast grounds is so beautiful that it was selected as one of the "100 Best Urban Parks in Japan."

The garden is dotted with traditional thatched-roof buildings and teahouses, creating a space filled with a Japanese atmosphere. Carp swim in the pond, and you can sometimes take a boat ride to view the garden from the water. There are also power spots dotted around the grounds that are said to bring good luck and matchmaking, and one of the pleasures of strolling around is finding them.

Minami-Rakuen, where the beauty of nature in every season and traditional Japanese landscaping techniques come together, is a recommended spot for those who want to enjoy a leisurely stroll or take photos. It is popular as a place that can be enjoyed by families, couples, and a wide range of age groups.

[Trivia]
Minami-Rakuen is one of the largest Japanese gardens in Shikoku, but is relatively new. The balustrade of the Kogei Bridge in the garden contains a charm from Izumo Taisha, and it is said that touching it will bring good luck. In addition, the garden is dotted with power spots such as the "Stone of Hope" and "Love Carp/Hime Carp" works by sculptor Yoshito Fujibe, who is from Ehime Prefecture.

[Concerns]
The site is very large, so it takes a fair amount of time and stamina to see everything. The sun is particularly strong in the summer, and there are few shaded areas, so it is essential to take measures against heatstroke such as wearing a hat, parasol, and staying hydrated.