Ōmi Garden (Japanese Garden Würzburg)

The garden adjacent to the fortress is worth a visit at any time of the year. Above all, the koi carp are very nice to look at.

There are two Japanese gardens in Würzburg. The larger one is on the grounds of the State Horticultural Show from 1990, the smaller one next to the old crane. Both gardens were created through the partnership between Würzburg and the Japanese city of Ōtsu, which has existed since 1979.

The garden represents a miniature of the landscape around Otsu. Not only the Japanese landscape and its calm atmosphere, but also hopes and dreams should be expressed here. This garden is therefore much more than just an attractive combination of trees, bushes, water and stones.

The three main elements of the Japanese garden, mountains, lake and rivers represent the geographical surroundings of the city of Ōtsu, Lake Biwa, the largest Japanese inland lake, the Suzuko Mountains, the Nosaka Mountains and the Ibukii Mountains, as well as various rivers. Thanks to sensitive planning, the garden blends in harmoniously with the terrain rising towards the Marienberg Fortress thanks to the higher "mountains". The design framework of the garden is made up of rocks and stones. The 400 tons of granite boulders were selected by Japanese landscape architects in the Fichtel Mountains. From the highest point of the garden, the mountains run around the lake. The northern part descends in the middle and merges into a flat hilly landscape. The river has its source on the other side of the mountain. Its course is determined by small waterfalls, deep and shallow places. The bank was designed to be as natural as possible. Several large stones make it possible to cross the river. The river and a large waterfall feed the pond, which symbolizes Lake Biwa.

The island, connected to both banks by two bridges, has a mythological background. Its shape is reminiscent of a turtle, which is traditionally a symbol of immortality for the Japanese and Chinese.

Source: wuerzburgwiki.de/wiki/Japanischer_Garten

In addition to the historic courtyard garden at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Würzburg Residence, the Japanese garden is another attractive sight and at the same time the "green lung" of Würzburg.