Surrounding the Hokushin-Jinja (Shrine of the North Star / 北辰神社) on all sides lies the Kokuryū-en (Garden of the Black Dragon / 黒龍園), a Japanese garden created as a place of beauty, contemplation, and harmony with nature. Located in Albisried within the municipality of Lengenwang, amidst the rolling hills, forests, and alpine landscapes of the Allgäu region, the garden combines the aesthetic principles of traditional Japanese garden culture with the natural character of its Bavarian surroundings.
Winding natural stone paths lead visitors through the garden’s various scenes and viewpoints. Along the way, a gently flowing stream, a koi pond, carefully arranged rock formations, and a wide variety of trees, shrubs, and flowering plants create an environment that constantly changes throughout the year yet remains harmonious in every season. Although inspired by traditional Japanese garden design, the landscape also draws heavily on the natural beauty of the Allgäu region itself. The rock formations, terraced levels, and layered stone arrangements take their inspiration from the mountains, valleys, and geological features that define the surrounding area, thereby creating a unique synthesis of Japanese aesthetics and the local landscape.
Among the most celebrated times to visit the Kokuryū-en is the season of hanami (flower viewing / 花見). As Albisried is situated at an elevation of 809 metres above sea level in the foothills of the Alps, spring arrives later there than in many other parts of Germany, allowing visitors to enjoy the blossoms from mid-April until the middle of May. During this period, numerous sakura (Japanese cherry trees / 桜), fuji (Japanese wisteria / 藤), and lilac trees transform the garden into a landscape of colour and fragrance. Yet every season possesses its own charm. Summer brings lush greenery and vibrant ponds, autumn paints the garden in brilliant shades of red and gold, and winter reveals a quieter beauty, when winter-blooming plants bring life and colour even to the coldest months of the year.
Situated on an island within the flowing stream of Kokuryū-En is the Enmei-Seki (Stone of Perfect Clarity). Surrounded by the sound of running water and the garden's serene beauty, it serves as a place for*mokusō (silent meditation), offering visitors an opportunity for quiet reflection and contemplation amidst nature. The term Enmei (perfect clarity) embodies the ideal of a mind that is unhindered, calm, and illuminated by insight. In keeping with this symbolism, the Enmei-Seki provides a secluded spot to cultivate inner stillness while reflecting on the harmony between the natural and spiritual worlds—a harmony that Kokuryū-En seeks to embody.
Located to the right of the main hall of the Hokushin-Jinja there stands the Genbu-seki (Stone of Genbu / 玄武石), from which the garden itself gets its name. This iwakura (sacred dwelling stone of a deity / 磐座) is a massive rock formation which is revered in Shintō (Japan's native nature religion / 神道) as a place where a kami (deity / 神) manifests and resides. Predating the construction of shrine buildings, iwakura (sacred dwelling stone of a deity / 磐座) represent one of the oldest forms of worship in Japan, reflecting the ancient belief that the divine is present within the natural world itself. Revered as a natural yorishiro (object capable of attracting the presence of a deity / 依代), it serves as a place where the divine presence of Genbu (the Black Warrior of the North / 玄武) can manifest within the landscape of the garden. Adorned with a shimenawa (sacred rope / 注連縄) and shide (zigzag paper streamers / 紙垂), which mark the divine, the Genbu-seki is regarded as a natural shrine dedicated to the celestial guardian of the northern heavens. Its enduring form symbolizes the steadfastness, strength, and protective power traditionally associated with Genbu.
Among the many features of the Kokuryū-en is the Kengō no Yu (Bath of the Sword Masters / 剣豪の湯), a secluded area dedicated to relaxation, recovery, and contemplation. Situated within the tranquil surroundings of the garden, it features a rotenburo (hot open-air bath / 露天風呂), a mizuburo (cold-water bath / 水風呂), a sauna, and a relaxation area. Reserved for the private guests, the Kengō no Yu (Bath of the Sword Masters / 剣豪の湯) offers a place to unwind amidst the beauty and serenity of the Kokuryū-en. Inspired by the long-standing Japanese tradition of combining physical well-being with mental and spiritual renewal, it provides a peaceful retreat where guests may enjoy the restorative qualities of nature while reflecting upon the harmony and tranquillity embodied throughout the sacred landscape of the garden.
The garden owes its beauty and distinctive character to the vision, dedication, and tireless work of Ōtsuka Eriko Taira no Masayuki (born 1993), who designed and created the garden herself and continues to tend it with unwavering devotion. Through countless hours of labor and a deep connection to both Japanese garden traditions and the natural world, she has transformed the site into a living sanctuary whose beauty grows with the changing seasons. Her attention to detail is evident in every corner of the garden, from the meticulous placement of stones and plants to the harmonious balance that unites the entire landscape. Without her extraordinary commitment, Kokuryū-En would not exist in its current form.
Today, the Kokuryū-en offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese garden in the heart of the Allgäu. Together with the Hokushin-Jinja, it forms a unified sacred landscape where Japanese tradition and Bavarian nature, spirituality and beauty, exist in harmonious balance.