Hakugyokurou

The Zen garden of Hakugyokurou at night, as seen in Immaterial and Missing Power.

Hakugyokurou (白玉楼, literally Tower of White Jade) is a ghost shrine overlooking the netherworld. It is well known among the afterlife realms for its cherry blossom gardens, and many ghosts come to see them every spring.

The term Hakugyokurou comes from Chinese legends of the Tang Dynasty (唐朝). It was said to be the place where artists go after death. Li He (李賀), a poet in those days, heard a voice in a dream he had as he was dying; the voice said, "Hakugyokurou has been completely built, so come and write down its details." The story is the beginning of Hakugyokurou.

Yuyuko Saigyouji acts as the lady of Hakugyokurou, and Youmu Konpaku acts as its gardener. The massive youkai cherry tree, the Saigyou Ayakashi, can also be found lying dormant in the gardens of Hakugyokurou.

Hakugyokurou was the location for the final stage of Perfect Cherry Blossom, and several fights in Immaterial and Missing Power and Scarlet Weather Rhapsody.

• Books and articles:
  • Guide of Beautiful Sceneries in Gensokyo: Hakugyokurou
  • Perfect Memento in Strict Sense: Hakugyokurou