Cindy-Lou Dale

Japan is shrouded in mystique and ancient history, and the perfect way to unravel this enigma is by exploring its landscape gardens. Their basic design is based on capturing the grace and beauty of nature and bringing it into our daily lives.

 

As simplistic as that may sound, the true magnificence of Japanese gardens is profound. They create soulful, refined and elegant spaces, a humbleness surrounded by nature.

 

Landscape gardening has been an art form in Japan for centuries. Their designs can be put into thee distinctive groups, namely hill gardens, dry gardens and tea gardens and can include everything from courtyards to streams and from simple, austere spaces to lush, tropical environments. Some are highly groomed, while others look almost wild.

 

The basic landscaping concept is based the principle of minimalist simplicity. There is nothing much to it other than the understated contrasts in hues and textures of green, and a near flawless harmony with the elements. This accord is attained through repetition and a semblance of balance.

 

Japanese gardens in general, follow several basic design principles: they are hugely reduced in scale, they are enclosed, the angle of view is crucial, they borrow scenery, and they hold balance and symbolism. Most Japanese gardens endeavor to duplicate the environment in miniature.

 

The Japanese garden is a work of living art and a reflection of the Japanese spirit. Nothing is left to chance; every living thing in a garden exists for a reason and stands as a symbol for something else in Japanese culture. There is a link somewhere that serves to tell us more about Japan, if we know where to look and what to look for. A simple garden walkway could reveal to us a part of the richness of Japanese history or the significance of its metaphorical importance.

 

Japanese gardens aesthetically please all the senses - the clunking sound of the bamboo wind chimes in a silent garden, the textures and shades of the foliage. But it’s the serene simplicity and stillness as found in the Tsukiyama style garden that enchant all who experience it. Tsukiyama style gardens reflect nature in miniature and consist of hills, stones, ponds, streams, bridges and paths, and vary in the way they are viewed. The smaller garden variety is typically enjoyed from one viewpoint, like a temple’s veranda, whilst the gardens more generously proportioned benefit from a circular path.

 

Zen Buddist inspired Karesansui style gardens encapsulates poetry, religious belief, and a link to the past. They are an ever changing symphony which imitates abstract variations of natural landscapes by using sand, stones and gravel.

 

Individually, we experience Japanese gardens’ in a different way and come away with unique encounters. There is no right or wrong way to experience it. One only needs to look in from the outside and the Japanese garden will open itself, or from the inside out, as one would in a Chaniwa style garden. Chaniwa style gardens are visually stimulating and characteristically include stepping stones which lead to the tea house. On route, a guest will come across stone lanterns and a stone basin in which to purify themselves before partaking in the traditional tea ceremony.

 

The finest tea garden experience is to be found at the Kenrokuen Gardens, in Kanazawa. It took near two centuries to build and is considered by many as the best garden in all of Japan. It was once the private garden of the Maeda family who ruled from Kanazawa Castle.

 

The spacious Kenrokuen Gardens features secluded stone gardens, and is abundant with streams, waterfalls and ponds. Broad views are offered from the numerous bridges and reflective tea ceremonies are performed at the teahouses.

 

The Japanese tea ceremony dates back several centuries and is largely influenced by Zen Buddhism is the ritualistic form of preparing and receiving tea (Sado).

 

Japanese, with an interest in their own culture, take tea ceremony lessons. These ceremony studies take many years and often last a lifetime. A tea practitioner needs to have a thorough knowledge of tea production and of the rituals performed with the server wearing a kimono. He needs to also have an understanding of calligraphy, incense, flower arranging, ceramics and numerous other traditions of the arts, in addition to his school's tea practices.

 

Following a symbolic purification of the utensils, the host uses a bamboo whisk to blend water with the tea. Each hand movement is prescribed. The bowl is then handed to the guest who places it in their left hand, steadying it with their right, giving a low and silent bow of thanks. Before drinking, he turns the face of the bowl away from his lips.

 

(Insert diagram of Chinese characters here. The characters symbolize reverence, harmony, inner and outer purity and quietness.) 

 

Built in the 17th century by a local feudal lord, Korakuen Gardens are ranked as one of Japan’s most beautiful landscape gardens. The gardens contain ponds, woods, teahouses and pavilions and are overlooked by Okayama Castle.

 

Due to its black exterior, Okayama Castle is also known as "Crow Castle". It was built in 1597 then completely destroyed in World War II but was rebuilt in the 1960s. Today the castle houses a modern day museum.

 

Mito’s Kairakuen Gardens are famed for its acres of plum trees and is understandably at its best during the blossom season which is late February and March. The Mito Plum Festival is held every year from February 20 to March 31.

 

Kairakuen (meaning ‘park to be enjoyed together’) was created by the local lord Tokugawa Nariaki. Unlike the other two great gardens, Kairakuen was open to the public and did not purely serve to please the ruling lord. Other than the plum tree forest, Kairakuen also boasts cedar woods and bamboo groves.

 

From the marvellously grand landscape gardens to the tiny curb-side shrub arrangement, nature encompasses Japanese life at all levels. At times you will be left speechless, other times breathless, but when you come to leave you do so with a lifetime of memories.

 

SIDEBARS

 

HOTELS

 

Okayama: The sumptuous Hotel Granvia is located just south of Okayama Station and is a ten minutes drive to Korakuen Gardens, Okayama Castle and the art museums.  It offers 328 rooms, a restaurant and bar and all the other amenities one would expect form a five star hotel.

 

Kanazawa: The Nikko Kanazawa is a 260 room deluxe hotel located directly in front of the Kanazawa Station, in the heart of the city. This vast hotel offers amenities and facilities one would expect form such standing.

 

Mito: The Plaza is a luxurious hotel, located in the north of Tokyo, in leafy peaceful surrounds. This elegant 85-roomed hotel, which appears like a castle in the forest, offers several restaurants with Chinese, Japanese and Italian cuisines.

 

OTHER ATTRACTIONS WORTH VISITING

 

·         Kyoto Imperial Palace – the emperor’s residence until 1868.

·         Nijo Castle – Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa shogun.

·         Nansenji – Zen temple with beautiful stone garden.

·         Ryoanji – Zen temple most famous for its rock garden.

·         Daitokuji – Large complex of Zen temples.

·         Katsura Villa – Stunning imperial villa with garden.

·         Tenryuji – Temple in the Arashiyama area.

·         Daigoji – Famous temple in the southeast of Kyoto.

·         Byodoin – Foremost example of Heian Period Pure Land Garden.

·         Tokyo, Rikugien – Arguably Tokyo’s best Japanese garden.

·         Palace East Gardens – Part of Imperial Palace.

·         Yokohama, Sankeien – Beautiful and spacious Japanese garden.

·         Kamakura, Zuisenji Temple – Zen temple famed for its gardens.

·         Hiraizumi, Urakuen – Garden with a celebrated teahouse.

·         Himeji, Kokoem – Garden next to Himeji Castle.

·         Hiroshima, Shukkeien – Beautiful Japanese style garden.

·         Yamaguchi, Joeijl Temple – Famous for the Zen garden Sesshutei.

·         Dazaifu, Komyozenji – Temple with beautiful Zen garden.

·         Kumamoto, Suizenji Koen – Landscape garden the reproduces the Tokaido.

·         Kagoshina, Senganen – Japense style landscape garden.

·         Naha, Shikinaen – Second residence of the former Ryukyu kings

 

DIRECTIONS (insert diagram of rail system)

 

·         Getting to Kenrokuen Gardens: Take the JR Joetsu Shinkansen train line from Tokyo to Echigo-Yuzawa Station and transfer to the JR Hakutaka limited express to Kanazawa. The journey should take about four hours A bus ride from Kanazawa Station to Kenrokuen takes about 15 minutes.

·         Getting to Korakuen Gardens: Korakuen Gardens are in the south-eastern province of Okayama Prefecture, whose capital city, Okayama, is a major transportation hub. The Sanyo Shinkansen train line runs through Okayama and is approximately four hours from Tokyo and 50 minutes from Osaka. KorakueN Gardens are 1.5 kilometers east of JR Okayama Station. Take a streetcar  bound for Higashiyma from the front of the station. At the third stop, Shiroshita Station, you need to get off and take a five minute walk to Korakuen.

·         Getting to Kairakuen Gardens: It is located in Mito, the capital of Ibaraki Prefecture, and is one hour northeast of Tokoyo. Mito is easily accessed from Tokyo's Ueno Station by the Joban Line. The "Super Hitachi" takes 65 minutes, while local trains take twice as long. From Mito Station, Kairakuen can be reached in a pleasant 30 minute walk along Senba Lake (a good English city map of Mito is available at the station's sightseeing information desk) or in 15 minutes by bus. During the peak of the plum festival, the trains on the Joban Line stop at the temporarily served Kairakuen Station, which stands just next to the garden.

 

ETIQUETTE

 

·         Few things about Japan are as much misunderstood as etiquette. It is sometimes imagined that the slightest faux pas will leave the poor visitor out in the cold. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Simply being willing to do or not do what the Japanese do is enough to get you by.

·         Take off your shoes whenever you see polished wooden floors or tatami (rectangular mats of woven rice straw that are used for flooring in traditional rooms).

·         When using hot-spring baths or public baths be sure to wash thoroughly on the little stools around the bath before getting in. Baths in Japan are for soaking, not for scrubbing.

·         The key to using chopsticks is not to do anything that you wouldn’t do at home with a knife and fork. It is considered a sign of appreciation to slurp your noodles.

·         Most Japanese bow instead of shake hands when they first meet. But whilst you attempt a bow you may find a hand extended in a western-style welcome. Should this happen then try a combination of a bow and handshake.  A slight nod of the head acknowledging a bow from service staff is considered polite.

 

WHERE IS JAPAN

 

Japan is an East Asian island country surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Japan, the Philippine Sea, the East China Sea, and the Sea of Okhotsk. Japan is slightly smaller than California, yet it manages to accommodate some 127-million people.

 

Its neighbors include Korea, Russia, China and Taiwan. The climate varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north and the terrain is mostly rugged and mountainous. Its currency is Yen (JPY).

 

GETTING THERE

 

US Airways 1-888-288-2118

Delta Air Lines 1-800-241-4141

Air Canada 1-888-247-2262

Japan Airline 1-800-525-3663

 

 

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© Cindy-Lou Dale 2005