Japan
Where to see Japan‘s Azaleas: 10 Places to visit
After the beautiful cherry blossoms, comes the time for azalea. In this article I will show you 10 places to visit to see Japan‘s azaleas. You will find azaleas everywhere in this country: along the streets, in public parks, on playgrounds and Japanese gardens. We will explore the best places in gardens and temples/shrines. Content:Meiji […]
The Japanese Gosekku 五節句
The Five Festivals in Japan The five festivals in Japan are known as the Japanese Gosekku. They’re celebrated by the common people since the Edo period. January 7 (Jinjitsu, Seven Herbs)March 3 (Joushi, Peach)May 5 (Tango, Calamus)July 7 (Shichiseki, Sasa bamboo)September 9 (Chōyō, Chrysanthemum) Auspicious Numbers and the Origin of the Festivals In Japan, odd numbers, especially […]
New eBook: The Shōmyō-ji Garden Guide
When I first visited the grounds of Shōmyō-ji, I didn’t quite know what to expect. I had read about its Pure Land garden. It is one of the rare historic jōdo-style gardens in the Kantō region. However, nothing prepared me for how it actually feels to step through the temple’s red gate. First, I walked along the quiet […]
Visiting Tō-ji Temple in Kyoto
Visiting Tō-ji Temple in Kyoto at the end of September was a different kind of experience. This was off season—everything was deep green and lush, and the gardens didn’t look like they were staged for visitors. Pruning isn’t usually done until May and December, so many plants appeared slightly wild and overgrown, but that simplicity gave the […]
いい庭の日 – Good Garden Day 2025
On 11/28 is ii Niwa no Hi – Good Garden Day! People in Japan enjoy wordplay and number puns, which leads to some amusing celebration days (for example, Good Tooth Day…). The 28th of November has now become known as Good Garden Day.Here’s how the numbers are read: 1 – ichi → i1 – ichi → i2 – ni → ni8 – and this one is a little tricky, […]
Visiting Byōdō-in Temple in Uji
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 in 1052. One year after […]
Adachi Museum of Art: A Harmonious Blend of Japanese Gardens and Art
In early August 2015, I visited the Adachi Museum of Art. Pictures of its gardens always appear here and there on the internet, and I was always moved by the beauty of this not old, but old-appearing garden. I set it on my garden bucket list. Before sharing my very own experience in the museum, […]
Round Windows in Japanese Gardens and Architecture: The Yoshino Window and More
Discover the history and symbolism of round windows in Japanese gardens and architecture, including the Yoshino window, Zen temple designs, and sukiya-style tea houses.
Yukizuri – 雪吊り
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 snow, that the trees need […]
Tsuboniwa : 坪庭 or 壷庭 ?
The Tsuboniwa in Japan Kanji: 庭 – niwa – garden, yard 坪 – tsubo – unit of land measurement, 3.31 square meters, 2 tatami mats 壷 – tsubo – jar, pot, vase The courtyard garden – called tsuboniwa in Japanese – is a garden in a small, enclosed area. The gardener does not fill it […]