photo by Alex Chen
The ‘Japanese landscape garden’ is known as the greatest masterpiece of cool Japan. Compared with the colorful English or French landscape gardens, the greenery and the monotone-colored rocks of the Japanese landscape gardens might seem a little drab. Conversely it represents the modest ‘wabi’ and ‘sabi’ spirit found in us Japanese people. The more you come to know about each of the gardens, the more you’ll come to know something interesting about them. Here is an introduction to 5 beautiful Japanese landscape gardens found all over Japan, which not only boast a superb view but also from which you can learn about the Japanese people’s spirit of ‘wabi-sabi’.
Ishikawa Prefecture Kanazawa City | Kenrokuen
A Japanese landscape garden that not only represents Japan, but also known as one of the top 3. It was initially built as a garden for a villa of the feudal lord Kaga, but was passed down through many generations of feudal lords and was completed after almost 180 years. There was an incidence of a fire at some point as well.. Nowadays, there are approximately 10,000 trees in the garden, so you can enjoy an idyllic view year round. Carp with heart-shaped (!) patterns on their heads can be seen swimming in the quiet gourd-shaped ‘Hisago Pond’. It is said that if you can find one, there will be a divine favor of love. For people who want to look around without rushing, the a guided 40 minute course is recommended. It is 1500 yen per guide, so it is very economical if you go with a big group of friends. Since the Hokuriku Shinkansen has opened, it is very well possible to enjoy this place as part of a day trip.
Address: Ishikawa Prefecture Kanazawa City Koshomachi
Access: 30 minutes by car on the Kanazawa West-East Interchange/10 minutes by taxi from Kanazawa Station
Entrance fee: Adults 310yen/Children 100yen
Kagawa Prefecture Takamatsu City | Ritsurin Koen
For people who can go a little further, by all means go to Udon prefecture Takamatsu, in Shikoku. Here you can find Ritsurin Koen, a prime example of the Japanese landscape garden, which has received 3 stars according to the ‘Michelin Green Guide Japan’. It is the most spacious out of all the famous parks, and like Kenrokuen, took more than 100 years to build. The name is Ritsurin (Chestnut Forest), but most of the trees growing here are pines…. Because the workers trim the 1400 pine trees’ shapes by hand they’re also known as ‘Bonsai Pines’. Among the pines, there are ones planted by members of the royal family and the English King Edward the Eighth, so how about looking for them if you time? You can make it around the park in about an hour, so afterwards you should head to have the local specialty, udon! There seems to be many udon restaurants within a 20 minute walk from the park. There is a possibility of holiday closure though, so it might be wise to pick out a few before you go.
Address: Kagawa Prefecture Takamatsu City Ritsurin-cho
Access: Approximately a 7 minute taxi ride from Takamatsu Station/ Approximately 30 minute taxi ride from Takamatsu Airport
Entrance Fee: Adults 410yen/Children 170yen
Kyoto City Nishikyo-ku | Katsurarikyu
The best garden built by a royal family from the beginning till the mid 17th Century, is Katsurarikyu. You can enjoy the beautiful Japanese landscape garden as well as the many patterns of Shoin-zukuri style architecture. Until World War II, only people of a certain stature and people wearing certain clothing were able to go inside and see the gardens. Even now, you have to apply beforehand and show your identification, or you will not be able to enter. It is well-known that because of it’s popularity and the harsh entrance restrictions, it is difficult to get in. You will have a hard time trying to get in if you go out of the blue, so beware. Pre-applications from here.
Address: Kyoto prefecture Kyoto city Nishikyo-ku Katsuramisono
Access: 20 minute walk from Hankyu Kyoto Line Katsura Station
Entrance fee: free
Shimane Prefecture Yasugi-cho | Adachi Art Museum
At this landscape garden, the scenery was built as a part of the art, with attention especially paid to the details. From the building, you can enjoy the highlights that each of the 4 seasons have to offer. Built up from nothing, this individually owned Japanese landscape garden has ranked in at number one 12 years in a row in a Japanese landscape garden ranking in an American Japanese landscape garden specialty magazine, and has received 3 stars in the ‘Michelin Green Guide Japan’. It is a little far, but I strongly recommend going to this one.
Address: Shimane Prefecture Yasugi-shi Furukawa-cho 320
Access: Free shuttle bus runs from Yanogo Station or Yasugi Station
Entrance fee: Adults 2300yen/University students 1800yen/High school students 1000yen/Elementary/Junior High School students 500yen
A little expensive but you can view the famous collection as well.
Kyoto City Kamigyoku | Goshonishi Kyoto Heian Hotel
If you make your way to Kyoto, how about staying at this hotel that has a beautiful Japanese landscape garden? Even though this garden is located in a hotel, it has ranked in at number 4 for the last 3 years in an American Japanese landscape garden specialty magazine. Various scenes of Japan are jam-packed into this Japanese style garden of 500 tsubo (!) The hotel is located right in front of the Kyoto Imperial Palace. It is the perfect location to be the base of your Kyoto sightseeing. Of course, you can always just have a bite to eat while viewing the Japanese style garden and not stay over.
Address: Kyoto City Kamigyo-ku Karasuma-Kamichoja-machi Agaru
Access: 7 minute walk from Torimaru Line Imadegawa Station
Overnight stay: One night stay with breakfast 7500 yen ~
By the way what is the deal with the patterns in the sand?
The lines drawn in the gravel or sand in Japanese landscape gardens… You’re interested, right? That is ‘Jyamon’, a characteristic presentation of the Karesansui Japanese landscape garden that has no water. In other words, those lines are representations of water without using actual water. The result varies depending on the person who draws them, so you should definitely watch them if you have a chance.
