FUKIYA


		Fukiya, Nariwa-cho, Okayama Prefecture, is about 11 hour's drive by car from Tokyo. This area was once prosperous as a mining town between mountains. Fukiya has a long history as a mining area. In 807, a copper mine was found there, and red oxid mines were dug up sequentially. Thus, the village was in full flourish. Many men of power carried out mining operatians all around the area. When the new era "Meiji began, Yataro Iwasaki bought the mines from the Gouverment and operated them. Finally, Fukiya became the No. 1 copper production area in Japan. However, during the Showa period, the copper business became low due to lower copper prices resulting in the less produced volume. In 1972, the Fukiya mines were all closed.

Korakuen Garden, One of the three best traditional landscape garden in Japan, is a cultural heritage site that boasts an international reputation.

Development of the garden began in 1686 (the 3rd year of the Jokyo period) under an order given to Tsuda Nagatada by Lord Ikeda Tsunamasa, the ruler of Okayama. It was completed 14 years later in 1700. The garden, which belonged to the Ikeda Family, had been used by the family as a place for entertaining honored guests and also as a place of rest and pleasure for feudal lords until 1884, when ownership was transferred to Okayama Prefecture, which opened the garden to the public.