Visiting Byōdō-in Temple in Uji was the first point on my itinerary. You might already be familiar with it—its famous Phoenix Hall is featured on the back of the ¥10 coin. The temple was originally built in the Heian period as a villa, and later converted into a Buddhist temple...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 much...Continue Reading
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
Planning a Trip to Japan: A Guide for Garden Enthusiast Planning a trip to Japan is an exciting journey, especially if you’re passionate about gardens. Here’s a comprehensive Japan garden travel guide to help you design the perfect itinerary, focusing on the best seasons, destinations, and accommodations for your garden-themed...Continue Reading
Japan’s springtime showcases more than cherry blossoms. Following this iconic bloom, you will soon find another flower spectacle, painting landscapes with vibrant hues of pink, red, and white—the alluring azalea. From traditional gardens to tranquil parks, Japan has numerous destinations to experience the charm of these beautiful flowers. Let’s have...Continue Reading
It’s already been a week since I am back to work and it passed too fast! However, now I had time to finish and publish our new eBook about the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. HOW TO ENTER When I first visited the Imperial Palace, I was quite confused by the...Continue Reading
Our newest eBook has been published! Learn more about the fascinating landscape garden Sankei-en in Yokohama!Continue Reading
Wisteria Splendor at Ashikaga Flower Park When it comes to experiencing the breathtaking beauty of Wisteria floribunda, commonly known as “Fuji” in Japanese, Ashikaga Flower Park stands out as a premier destination. Nestled in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, this park has undergone a transformation, becoming synonymous with the enchanting allure of...Continue Reading
by Nigel Spaven Add a Touch of Japanese Style to Your Garden – 30 Simple IdeasMs Yin & Mr Yang’s Garden Design Book Index A new, self-published book about how to turn a garden Japanese. Or merely give it a Japanese touch. Different then other books of the same genre,...Continue Reading
The Rikugien garden was initially built by Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu from 1695 until 1702. In 1868 it was purchased by Iwasaki Yataro who remodeled the garden to his needs but kept the heart of the garden – the theme of Waka poetry. However, he added many elements. So also the Hōraijima...Continue Reading
