Hirayama Katsumi garden, Chiran

Photographed here is one of the 7 samurai gardens in Chiran, Kagoshima, registered as National Cultural assets. Built 250 years ago, it belongs to the Hirayama Katsumi residence, covering a surface of 277 square meters.

It is a karesansui ("dry landscape") garden made with topiary shrubs and carefully chosen rocks either left in their natural shape or discreetly sculpted into stone lanterns.