Tag: garden
A Mystical Sea of Clouds in Tokyo’s Historic Chinzanso Garden
If you venture out of the cities, you’ll find that Japan is a land of stunning scenery; jagged coastlines, ancient forests, white beaches and undulating mountain ranges. In some of these mountainous zones, a natural phenomenon can occur known as “unkai”, or...
Feel the Summer Breeze with Hyogo’s Decorative Ornamental Ferns
Come the first spurt of hot sunshine and 30-degree-Celsius weather, you will unmistakably start seeing tsurishinobu, a type of ornamental hanging fern bought in the summer period (June into July).
A craft believed to...
Tokyo’s Secret “Power Spot”: Meiji Jingu Inner Garden
I look on as a group of five groundskeepers silently go about their work. They are squatting next to buckets, holding curious tools and digging in soil that has been turned and trodden a thousand times before. A gentle breeze ruffles the...
Strolling Around the Famed Tenryuji Temple Grounds in Arashiyama
The Bamboo Grove may be the most Instagrammed attraction in Arashiyama, but Tenryuji Temple is without doubt the most important. This World Heritage Zen temple was established all the way back in 1339, and quickly became the top ranking temple of Kyoto’s...
The Tranquil Gardens of Kodaiji Temple: A Higashiyama Must
Kyoto’s eastern Higashiyama area is positively packed with beautiful historic temples, shrines, statues, pagodas, gardens and much, much more. But with so many outstanding places to see, where should you start? One of my personal favourite spots in the area is Kodaiji...
Kenrokuen Garden: A Stroll for All Seasons
One simply cannot go to Kanazawa without visiting Kenrokuen Garden. Besides being among the top things to do in Kanazawa, Kenrokuen is one of the best gardens in all of Japan. What makes this garden so special? According to ancient Chinese gardening principles,...
Behind the Scenes at the Silver Pavilion
Colloquially known as the Silver Pavilion or Ginkaku-ji, Jisho-ji is one of Kyoto’s most popular tourist destinations. It dates back to the late 15th century and was designed by the then-shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa. It is beloved for its wooden pavilion and gorgeous...
Fresh Matcha and Garden Strolls at Okochi Sanso Garden
For those who enjoy a peaceful garden stroll, Japan is certainly the country for you. Not only are Japanese gardens ubiquitous, they are each fascinating examples of landscape architecture in their own right. If you happen to find yourself in Arashiyama, Kyoto’s...
A Cultural Heritage Park in Tokyo – Rikugien Garden of Waka poetry
Beautiful Parks in Tokyo
Many people say Tokyo is crowded; true depending on where you go. Sometimes a peaceful garden is in order to escape the crowds. Of Tokyo's beautiful parks, Yoyogi Park, Shinjuku-Gyoen...
Contemplating the Mysterious Rock Garden of Ryoanji Temple
Ryoanji Temple is a UNESCO listed Zen Buddhist Temple home to Japan’s most famous rock garden. Nobody knows who designed the ancient plot, and visitors come in droves to try and unlock its untold mysteries. The temple, though previously the villa of...
