Kenroku-en in Kanazawa What’s behind the Three Great Gardens of Japan (Nihon Sanmeien)?Why were they chosen and what makes them great? We will explore this in the following article. Japanese people love top lists since ancient times. Very important is the Top 100, which could already experienced during the Edo...Continue Reading
The next garden element on my list is the stone lantern. Everyone knows the beautiful withered lanterns made of natural or hewn rocks. Today I want to talk about their origin and use in the Japanese garden. Origin Lanterns weren‘t always a garden element. They were invented in a religious...Continue Reading
What I always tried to find out was the relationship between the Treasure Ship (takarabune) with the Seven Lucky Gods (shichifukujin), and the Ship Stone (funaishi). Now that I stuck at home, I have time to investigate! Let’s start with a more or less short explanation of these three:...Continue Reading
You might think, real Japanese gardens can be found within Kyoto alone. Today I want to convince you that this is not true. There are also admirable gardens in Japan’s modern capital Tokyo. If you are already on my side, please read anyhow, you will see beautiful garden pictures and...Continue Reading
Hamarikyu garden When visiting Japanese gardens in winter, one will recognize some strange ropes and mats around the pine trees and some other plants. These are called Yukizuri 雪吊り and Fuyugakui 冬囲い. Both are meant to protect the trees from the weight of snow. In Tokyo there is seldom so...Continue Reading
October 1st. : Entrance will be free in all great gardens of Tokyo (Except Shinjuku Gyoen!). Rikugien 24.10. Shamisen Concert 13h & 14h Every weekend in October + 12.10. (Monday), except 25.10. (Sunday) Edo Daikagura and Fröbel mini concert, Daikagura 3.10. 12h, 13.30h, 14.30h, 15.30h Daikagura other dates 12h, 13h,...Continue Reading
From today on, our new eBook about the daimyo garden Koishikawa Kōrakuen is available! This garden is one of the two most famous Japanese gardens in Tokyo. It is a perfect example for the strolling gardens (kayushiki teien) of the Edo period. Gardens of this time took elements of every...Continue Reading
In April, I showed two of Tokyos gardens to three German tourists. It was so much fun to explain the history behind the different garden styles and elements of the gardens! I love to talk about Japan! When people are interested and ask questions, it is best. I know they...Continue Reading