Uriha Gardens

Uriha Gardens (梅葉编; うりは・こう] is a public garden located in Wakatsu, Saka Prefecture. It is considered one of the best public gardens in Kanton, and receives over 300,000 visitors a year.
Uriha-kō was built in the year 1850 by Yamako Takura, then-konbūshin of Saka Prefecture. Unlike other great public gardens of Kanton, it was always intended to serve for the enjoyment of the public, which at the time was considered to be the sai and merchant classes. Ordinary commoners were admitted only on certain dates, such as New Year's Day. The gardens are especially noted for their plum blossom varieties, which bloom in February and March and attract large numbers of visitors each year. Besides the plum tree grove, where over 100 different plum tree varieties grow, Uriha-kō also features a bamboo grove, cedar grove, and the Kokaito, a three-story pavilion for use in poetry contests and occasionally private rentals.
During the late 19th century, the gardens became government property, and the Uriha Shrine, a large Kiren shrine dedicated to the goddess Bihanakami, was built within its grounds. Lake Yamako is also located near to the gardens.