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  • Seifukan Teahouse at Shukkeien Garden - Shukkeien garden was built in 1620 by Ueda Soko - a warrior who became a Buddhist monk, tea master and landscape gardener.  It was designed and built for the villa of Asano Nagaakira, daimyo of Hiroshima.  Shukkeien distorts concepts of space, cramming a miniaturized version of the landscape of West Lake Hangzhou China into a space of just 40,000 square meters.  Even its name means shrunken-scenery garden. Shukkeien contains many of the elements of classic landscape gardens introduced from China by Zen priest Muso Kokushi: evocatively shaped rocks, pavilions and a large pond with small islands. Around Takuei Pond with its hump-backed Rainbow Bridge winding paths lead visitors through miniature mountains, valleys, fields and groves.  Shukkeien’s Seifukan teahouse, with its thatched roof and lyre-shaped window, a different tea ceremony is held each month to celebrate the flowers of each successive season.
    shukkeien-8.jpg
  • Kokokyo Bridge at Shukkeien Garden - Shukkeien garden was built in 1620 by Ueda Soko - a warrior who became a Buddhist monk, tea master and landscape gardener.  It was designed and built for the villa of Asano Nagaakira, daimyo of Hiroshima.  Shukkeien distorts concepts of space, cramming a miniaturized version of the landscape of West Lake Hangzhou China into a space of just 40,000 square meters.  Even its name means shrunken-scenery garden. Shukkeien contains many of the elements of classic landscape gardens introduced from China by Zen priest Muso Kokushi: evocatively shaped rocks, pavilions and a large pond with small islands. Around Takuei Pond with its hump-backed Rainbow Bridge winding paths lead visitors through miniature mountains, valleys, fields and groves.  Shukkeien’s Seifukan teahouse, with its thatched roof and lyre-shaped window, a different tea ceremony is held each month to celebrate the flowers of each successive season.
    shukkeien-13.jpg
  • Zig Zag Bridge at Shukkeien Garden - Shukkeien garden was built in 1620 by Ueda Soko - a warrior who became a Buddhist monk, tea master and landscape gardener.  It was designed and built for the villa of Asano Nagaakira, daimyo of Hiroshima.  Shukkeien distorts concepts of space, cramming a miniaturized version of the landscape of West Lake Hangzhou China into a space of just 40,000 square meters.  Even its name means shrunken-scenery garden. Shukkeien contains many of the elements of classic landscape gardens introduced from China by Zen priest Muso Kokushi: evocatively shaped rocks, pavilions and a large pond with small islands. Around Takuei Pond with its hump-backed Rainbow Bridge winding paths lead visitors through miniature mountains, valleys, fields and groves.  Shukkeien’s Seifukan teahouse, with its thatched roof and lyre-shaped window, a different tea ceremony is held each month to celebrate the flowers of each successive season.
    shukkeien-4.jpg
  • Zig Zag Bridge at Shukkeien Garden - Shukkeien garden was built in 1620 by Ueda Soko - a warrior who became a Buddhist monk, tea master and landscape gardener.  It was designed and built for the villa of Asano Nagaakira, daimyo of Hiroshima.  Shukkeien distorts concepts of space, cramming a miniaturized version of the landscape of West Lake Hangzhou China into a space of just 40,000 square meters.  Even its name means shrunken-scenery garden. Shukkeien contains many of the elements of classic landscape gardens introduced from China by Zen priest Muso Kokushi: evocatively shaped rocks, pavilions and a large pond with small islands. Around Takuei Pond with its hump-backed Rainbow Bridge winding paths lead visitors through miniature mountains, valleys, fields and groves.  Shukkeien’s Seifukan teahouse, with its thatched roof and lyre-shaped window, a different tea ceremony is held each month to celebrate the flowers of each successive season.
    shukkeien-15.jpg
  • Seifukan Teahouse at Shukkeien Garden - Shukkeien garden was built in 1620 by Ueda Soko - a warrior who became a Buddhist monk, tea master and landscape gardener.  It was designed and built for the villa of Asano Nagaakira, daimyo of Hiroshima.  Shukkeien distorts concepts of space, cramming a miniaturized version of the landscape of West Lake Hangzhou China into a space of just 40,000 square meters.  Even its name means shrunken-scenery garden. Shukkeien contains many of the elements of classic landscape gardens introduced from China by Zen priest Muso Kokushi: evocatively shaped rocks, pavilions and a large pond with small islands. Around Takuei Pond with its hump-backed Rainbow Bridge winding paths lead visitors through miniature mountains, valleys, fields and groves.  Shukkeien’s Seifukan teahouse, with its thatched roof and lyre-shaped window, a different tea ceremony is held each month to celebrate the flowers of each successive season.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-70.jpg
  • Kokokyo Bridge at Shukkeien Garden - Shukkeien garden was built in 1620 by Ueda Soko - a warrior who became a Buddhist monk, tea master and landscape gardener.  It was designed and built for the villa of Asano Nagaakira, daimyo of Hiroshima.  Shukkeien distorts concepts of space, cramming a miniaturized version of the landscape of West Lake Hangzhou China into a space of just 40,000 square meters.  Even its name means shrunken-scenery garden. Shukkeien contains many of the elements of classic landscape gardens introduced from China by Zen priest Muso Kokushi: evocatively shaped rocks, pavilions and a large pond with small islands. Around Takuei Pond with its hump-backed Rainbow Bridge winding paths lead visitors through miniature mountains, valleys, fields and groves.  Shukkeien’s Seifukan teahouse, with its thatched roof and lyre-shaped window, a different tea ceremony is held each month to celebrate the flowers of each successive season.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-58.jpg
  • Seifukan Teahouse at Shukkeien Garden - Shukkeien garden was built in 1620 by Ueda Soko - a warrior who became a Buddhist monk, tea master and landscape gardener.  It was designed and built for the villa of Asano Nagaakira, daimyo of Hiroshima.  Shukkeien distorts concepts of space, cramming a miniaturized version of the landscape of West Lake Hangzhou China into a space of just 40,000 square meters.  Even its name means shrunken-scenery garden. Shukkeien contains many of the elements of classic landscape gardens introduced from China by Zen priest Muso Kokushi: evocatively shaped rocks, pavilions and a large pond with small islands. Around Takuei Pond with its hump-backed Rainbow Bridge winding paths lead visitors through miniature mountains, valleys, fields and groves.  Shukkeien’s Seifukan teahouse, with its thatched roof and lyre-shaped window, a different tea ceremony is held each month to celebrate the flowers of each successive season.
    shukkeien-14.jpg
  • Kokokyo Bridge at Shukkeien Garden - Shukkeien garden was built in 1620 by Ueda Soko - a warrior who became a Buddhist monk, tea master and landscape gardener.  It was designed and built for the villa of Asano Nagaakira, daimyo of Hiroshima.  Shukkeien distorts concepts of space, cramming a miniaturized version of the landscape of West Lake Hangzhou China into a space of just 40,000 square meters.  Even its name means shrunken-scenery garden. Shukkeien contains many of the elements of classic landscape gardens introduced from China by Zen priest Muso Kokushi: evocatively shaped rocks, pavilions and a large pond with small islands. Around Takuei Pond with its hump-backed Rainbow Bridge winding paths lead visitors through miniature mountains, valleys, fields and groves.  Shukkeien’s Seifukan teahouse, with its thatched roof and lyre-shaped window, a different tea ceremony is held each month to celebrate the flowers of each successive season.
    shukkeien-11.jpg
  • Kokokyo Bridge at Shukkeien Garden - Shukkeien garden was built in 1620 by Ueda Soko - a warrior who became a Buddhist monk, tea master and landscape gardener.  It was designed and built for the villa of Asano Nagaakira, daimyo of Hiroshima.  Shukkeien distorts concepts of space, cramming a miniaturized version of the landscape of West Lake Hangzhou China into a space of just 40,000 square meters.  Even its name means shrunken-scenery garden. Shukkeien contains many of the elements of classic landscape gardens introduced from China by Zen priest Muso Kokushi: evocatively shaped rocks, pavilions and a large pond with small islands. Around Takuei Pond with its hump-backed Rainbow Bridge winding paths lead visitors through miniature mountains, valleys, fields and groves.  Shukkeien’s Seifukan teahouse, with its thatched roof and lyre-shaped window, a different tea ceremony is held each month to celebrate the flowers of each successive season.
    shukkeien-3.jpg
  • Zig Zag Bridge at Shukkeien Garden - Shukkeien garden was built in 1620 by Ueda Soko - a warrior who became a Buddhist monk, tea master and landscape gardener.  It was designed and built for the villa of Asano Nagaakira, daimyo of Hiroshima.  Shukkeien distorts concepts of space, cramming a miniaturized version of the landscape of West Lake Hangzhou China into a space of just 40,000 square meters.  Even its name means shrunken-scenery garden. Shukkeien contains many of the elements of classic landscape gardens introduced from China by Zen priest Muso Kokushi: evocatively shaped rocks, pavilions and a large pond with small islands. Around Takuei Pond with its hump-backed Rainbow Bridge winding paths lead visitors through miniature mountains, valleys, fields and groves.  Shukkeien’s Seifukan teahouse, with its thatched roof and lyre-shaped window, a different tea ceremony is held each month to celebrate the flowers of each successive season.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-56.jpg
  • Kokokyo Bridge at Shukkeien Garden - Shukkeien garden was built in 1620 by Ueda Soko - a warrior who became a Buddhist monk, tea master and landscape gardener.  It was designed and built for the villa of Asano Nagaakira, daimyo of Hiroshima.  Shukkeien distorts concepts of space, cramming a miniaturized version of the landscape of West Lake Hangzhou China into a space of just 40,000 square meters.  Even its name means shrunken-scenery garden. Shukkeien contains many of the elements of classic landscape gardens introduced from China by Zen priest Muso Kokushi: evocatively shaped rocks, pavilions and a large pond with small islands. Around Takuei Pond with its hump-backed Rainbow Bridge winding paths lead visitors through miniature mountains, valleys, fields and groves.  Shukkeien’s Seifukan teahouse, with its thatched roof and lyre-shaped window, a different tea ceremony is held each month to celebrate the flowers of each successive season.
    shukkeien-18.jpg
  • Stone Lantern at Shukkeien Garden - Ishidoro Lanterns were introduced to Japan via China in the 6th century.  The earliest lanterns, found only in temple grounds, were designed to hold the flame representing Buddha.  Light  helps us overcome the darkness of ignorance. Ishidoro were originally used at temples, gardens and shrines.  Around the 16th century stone lanterns were adopted and placed in the gardens of teahouses. The garden itself is a forest pond style garden designed by Nishimura, a Kyoto artist, which took 10 years to complete.  Its pond is in the shape of a heart.
    shukkeien-16.jpg
  • Stone Lantern at Shukkeien Garden - Ishidoro Lanterns were introduced to Japan via China in the 6th century.  The earliest lanterns, found only in temple grounds, were designed to hold the flame representing Buddha.  Light  helps us overcome the darkness of ignorance. Ishidoro were originally used at temples, gardens and shrines.  Around the 16th century stone lanterns were adopted and placed in the gardens of teahouses. The garden itself is a forest pond style garden designed by Nishimura, a Kyoto artist, which took 10 years to complete.  Its pond is in the shape of a heart.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-207.jpg
  • Carp are seen in Japan (as well as in the rest of Asia) as a symbol of fortune.  These ponds used as an element of a landscape pond garden. Classic koi ponds have nishikigoi Japanese ornamental carps.  It is said that the design of a koi pond has a great effect on the well-being of the carp.
    shukkeien-6.jpg
  • Carp are seen in Japan (as well as in the rest of Asia) as a symbol of fortune.  These ponds used as an element of a landscape pond garden. Classic koi ponds have nishikigoi Japanese ornamental carps.  It is said that the design of a koi pond has a great effect on the well-being of the carp.
    shukkeien-10.jpg
  • Moon Window at Fukusan Kaikan Garden - a part of Fukuyama Castle grounds.  Its main hall is a vast 21 tatami room, iwth an adjacent 14 tatami room designed to view the garden and the castle in the background.  The garden itself is a forest pond style garden designed by Nishimura, a Kyoto artist, which took 10 years to complete.
    fukusan-kaikan-garden-9.jpg
  • Fukusan Kaikan Garden is a part of Fukuyama Castle grounds.  Its main hall is a has an enormous tatami room designed to view the garden and the castle in the background.  The garden itself is a forest pond style garden designed by Nishimura, a Kyoto artist, which took 10 years to complete. The garden's pond is in the shape of a heart.
    fukusan-kaikan-garden-5.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Garden is a tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot. <br />
There is a tea room called Ruizudari which is mostly original though it was renovated and revived in 1999.
    jodoji-garden-onomichi-11.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Garden is a tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot. <br />
There is a tea room called Ruizudari which is mostly original though it was renovated and revived in 1999.
    jodoji-garden-onomichi-1.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Garden is a tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot. <br />
There is a tea room called Ruizudari which is mostly original though it was renovated and revived in 1999.
    jodoji-garden-onomichi-4.jpg
  • Fukusan Kaikan Garden is a part of Fukuyama Castle grounds.  Its main hall is a has an enormous tatami room designed to view the garden and the castle in the background.  The garden itself is a forest pond style garden designed by Nishimura, a Kyoto artist, which took 10 years to complete. The garden's pond is in the shape of a heart.
    fukusan-kaikan-garden-6.jpg
  • Fukusan Kaikan Garden is a part of Fukuyama Castle grounds.  Its main hall is a has an enormous tatami room designed to view the garden and the castle in the background.  The garden itself is a forest pond style garden designed by Nishimura, a Kyoto artist, which took 10 years to complete. The garden's pond is in the shape of a heart.
    fukusan-kaikan-garden-1.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Garden is a tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot. <br />
There is a tea room called Ruizudari which is mostly original though it was renovated and revived in 1999.
    jodoji-garden-onomichi-10.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Garden is a tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot. <br />
There is a tea room called Ruizudari which is mostly original though it was renovated and revived in 1999.
    jodoji-garden-onomichi-9.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Garden is a tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot. <br />
There is a tea room called Ruizudari which is mostly original though it was renovated and revived in 1999.
    jodoji-garden-onomichi-7.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Garden is a tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot. <br />
There is a tea room called Ruizudari which is mostly original though it was renovated and revived in 1999.
    jodoji-garden-onomichi-6.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Garden is a tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot. <br />
There is a tea room called Ruizudari which is mostly original though it was renovated and revived in 1999.
    jodoji-garden-onomichi-3.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Garden is a tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot. <br />
There is a tea room called Ruizudari which is mostly original though it was renovated and revived in 1999.
    jodoji-garden-onomichi-2.jpg
  • Moon Window at Fukusan Kaikan Garden - a part of Fukuyama Castle grounds.  Its main hall is a vast 21 tatami room, iwth an adjacent 14 tatami room designed to view the garden and the castle in the background.  The garden itself is a forest pond style garden designed by Nishimura, a Kyoto artist, which took 10 years to complete.
    fukusan-kaikan-garden-8.jpg
  • Fukusan Kaikan Garden is a part of Fukuyama Castle grounds.  Its main hall is a has an enormous tatami room designed to view the garden and the castle in the background.  The garden itself is a forest pond style garden designed by Nishimura, a Kyoto artist, which took 10 years to complete. The garden's pond is in the shape of a heart.
    fukusan-kaikan-2.jpg
  • Kikko Park Garden - During the Edo period Kikko park and its surrounding areas belonged to the local lord who ruled the area. The former site of the Kikkawa family compound there were houses called the Mekatake jutaku or houses for the samurais that served the daimyo near the daimyo's own residence.  Its garden was created at the same time as the relocation of the Yoshikawa family's shrine and the Yoshike shrine.
    kintai-park-3.jpg
  • Kikko Park Garden - During the Edo period Kikko park and its surrounding areas belonged to the local lord who ruled the area. The former site of the Kikkawa family compound there were houses called the Mekatake jutaku or houses for the samurais that served the daimyo near the daimyo's own residence.  Its garden was created at the same time as the relocation of the Yoshikawa family's shrine and the Yoshike shrine.
    kintai-park-5.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Garden is a tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot. <br />
There is a tea room called Ruizudari which is mostly original though it was renovated and revived in 1999.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-71.jpg
  • Kikko Park Garden - During the Edo period Kikko park and its surrounding areas belonged to the local lord who ruled the area. The former site of the Kikkawa family compound there were houses called the Mekatake jutaku or houses for the samurais that served the daimyo near the daimyo's own residence.  Its garden was created at the same time as the relocation of the Yoshikawa family's shrine and the Yoshike shrine.
    kintai-park-4.jpg
  • Kikko Park Garden - During the Edo period Kikko park and its surrounding areas belonged to the local lord who ruled the area. The former site of the Kikkawa family compound there were houses called the Mekatake jutaku or houses for the samurais that served the daimyo near the daimyo's own residence.  Its garden was created at the same time as the relocation of the Yoshikawa family's shrine and the Yoshike shrine.
    kintai-park-2.jpg
  • Kikko Park Garden - During the Edo period Kikko park and its surrounding areas belonged to the local lord who ruled the area. The former site of the Kikkawa family compound there were houses called the Mekatake jutaku or houses for the samurais that served the daimyo near the daimyo's own residence.  Its garden was created at the same time as the relocation of the Yoshikawa family's shrine and the Yoshike shrine.
    kintai-park-1.jpg
  • Stone Lantern at Fukusan Kaikan - Fukusan Kaikan Garden is a part of Fukuyama Castle grounds.  Ishidoro lanterns are usually used to decorate Japanese gardens, shrines and temples rather than for providing light, although occasionally they are lit up with candles inside during festivals.   Ishidoro Lanterns were introduced to Japan via China in the 6th century.  The earliest lanterns, found only in temple grounds, were designed to hold the flame representing Buddha.  Light  helps us overcome the darkness of ignorance. Ishidoro were originally used at temples, gardens and shrines.  Around the 16th century stone lanterns were adopted and placed in the gardens of teahouses. The garden itself is a forest pond style garden designed by Nishimura, a Kyoto artist, which took 10 years to complete.  Its pond is in the shape of a heart.
    fukusan-kaikan-garden-4.jpg
  • The renowned Japanese haiku poet Matsuo Basho lived in a hut overlooking the valley where Chinzanso Garden stands.  Prince Aritomo Yamagata built a villa here and named it Chinzanso  "House of Camellias” because of the many camellias that grow here. Yamagata incorporated the topography of the grounds to its best advantage to create a unique Japanese garden here. Later the property was purchased by Baron Fujita who decorated the grounds with historical monuments from all over Japan.  Most notably a thousand year old pagoda was transported from the Chikurin-ji temple in Hiroshima Prefecture.  Other cultural treasures are found in the garden include stone lanterns and many Buddhist rakan or disciple sculptures. The grounds of Chinzanso are now a part of a large luxury hotel, however visitors are free to walk the grounds of the garden.
    chinzanso-3.jpg
  • The renowned Japanese haiku poet Matsuo Basho lived in a hut overlooking the valley where Chinzanso Garden stands.  Prince Aritomo Yamagata built a villa here and named it Chinzanso  "House of Camellias” because of the many camellias that grow here. Yamagata incorporated the topography of the grounds to its best advantage to create a unique Japanese garden here. Later the property was purchased by Baron Fujita who decorated the grounds with historical monuments from all over Japan.  Most notably a thousand year old pagoda was transported from the Chikurin-ji temple in Hiroshima Prefecture.  Other cultural treasures are found in the garden include stone lanterns and many Buddhist rakan or disciple sculptures. The grounds of Chinzanso are now a part of a large luxury hotel, however visitors are free to walk the grounds of the garden.
    chinzanso-8.jpg
  • The renowned Japanese haiku poet Matsuo Basho lived in a hut overlooking the valley where Chinzanso Garden stands.  Prince Aritomo Yamagata built a villa here and named it Chinzanso  "House of Camellias” because of the many camellias that grow here. Yamagata incorporated the topography of the grounds to its best advantage to create a unique Japanese garden here. Later the property was purchased by Baron Fujita who decorated the grounds with historical monuments from all over Japan.  Most notably a thousand year old pagoda was transported from the Chikurin-ji temple in Hiroshima Prefecture.  Other cultural treasures are found in the garden include stone lanterns and many Buddhist rakan or disciple sculptures. The grounds of Chinzanso are now a part of a large luxury hotel, however visitors are free to walk the grounds of the garden.
    chinzanso-6.jpg
  • The renowned Japanese haiku poet Matsuo Basho lived in a hut overlooking the valley where Chinzanso Garden stands.  Prince Aritomo Yamagata built a villa here and named it Chinzanso  "House of Camellias” because of the many camellias that grow here. Yamagata incorporated the topography of the grounds to its best advantage to create a unique Japanese garden here. Later the property was purchased by Baron Fujita who decorated the grounds with historical monuments from all over Japan.  Most notably a thousand year old pagoda was transported from the Chikurin-ji temple in Hiroshima Prefecture.  Other cultural treasures are found in the garden include stone lanterns and many Buddhist rakan or disciple sculptures. The grounds of Chinzanso are now a part of a large luxury hotel, however visitors are free to walk the grounds of the garden.
    chinzanso-amber-1.jpg
  • The renowned Japanese haiku poet Matsuo Basho lived in a hut overlooking the valley where Chinzanso Garden stands.  Prince Aritomo Yamagata built a villa here and named it Chinzanso  "House of Camellias” because of the many camellias that grow here. Yamagata incorporated the topography of the grounds to its best advantage to create a unique Japanese garden here. Later the property was purchased by Baron Fujita who decorated the grounds with historical monuments from all over Japan.  Most notably a thousand year old pagoda was transported from the Chikurin-ji temple in Hiroshima Prefecture.  Other cultural treasures are found in the garden include stone lanterns and many Buddhist rakan or disciple sculptures. The grounds of Chinzanso are now a part of a large luxury hotel, however visitors are free to walk the grounds of the garden.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-107.jpg
  • The renowned Japanese haiku poet Matsuo Basho lived in a hut overlooking the valley where Chinzanso Garden stands.  Prince Aritomo Yamagata built a villa here and named it Chinzanso  "House of Camellias” because of the many camellias that grow here. Yamagata incorporated the topography of the grounds to its best advantage to create a unique Japanese garden here. Later the property was purchased by Baron Fujita who decorated the grounds with historical monuments from all over Japan.  Most notably a thousand year old pagoda was transported from the Chikurin-ji temple in Hiroshima Prefecture.  Other cultural treasures are found in the garden include stone lanterns and many Buddhist rakan or disciple sculptures. The grounds of Chinzanso are now a part of a large luxury hotel, however visitors are free to walk the grounds of the garden.
    chinzanso-2.jpg
  • The renowned Japanese haiku poet Matsuo Basho lived in a hut overlooking the valley where Chinzanso Garden stands.  Prince Aritomo Yamagata built a villa here and named it Chinzanso  "House of Camellias” because of the many camellias that grow here. Yamagata incorporated the topography of the grounds to its best advantage to create a unique Japanese garden here. Later the property was purchased by Baron Fujita who decorated the grounds with historical monuments from all over Japan.  Most notably a thousand year old pagoda was transported from the Chikurin-ji temple in Hiroshima Prefecture.  Other cultural treasures are found in the garden include stone lanterns and many Buddhist rakan or disciple sculptures. The grounds of Chinzanso are now a part of a large luxury hotel, however visitors are free to walk the grounds of the garden.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-5.jpg
  • The renowned Japanese haiku poet Matsuo Basho lived in a hut overlooking the valley where Chinzanso Garden stands.  Prince Aritomo Yamagata built a villa here and named it Chinzanso  "House of Camellias” because of the many camellias that grow here. Yamagata incorporated the topography of the grounds to its best advantage to create a unique Japanese garden here. Later the property was purchased by Baron Fujita who decorated the grounds with historical monuments from all over Japan.  Most notably a thousand year old pagoda was transported from the Chikurin-ji temple in Hiroshima Prefecture.  Other cultural treasures are found in the garden include stone lanterns and many Buddhist rakan or disciple sculptures. The grounds of Chinzanso are now a part of a large luxury hotel, however visitors are free to walk the grounds of the garden.
    chinzanso-5.jpg
  • The renowned Japanese haiku poet Matsuo Basho lived in a hut overlooking the valley where Chinzanso Garden stands.  Prince Aritomo Yamagata built a villa here and named it Chinzanso  "House of Camellias” because of the many camellias that grow here. Yamagata incorporated the topography of the grounds to its best advantage to create a unique Japanese garden here. Later the property was purchased by Baron Fujita who decorated the grounds with historical monuments from all over Japan.  Most notably a thousand year old pagoda was transported from the Chikurin-ji temple in Hiroshima Prefecture.  Other cultural treasures are found in the garden include stone lanterns and many Buddhist rakan or disciple sculptures. The grounds of Chinzanso are now a part of a large luxury hotel, however visitors are free to walk the grounds of the garden.
    chinzanso-9.jpg
  • The renowned Japanese haiku poet Matsuo Basho lived in a hut overlooking the valley where Chinzanso Garden stands.  Prince Aritomo Yamagata built a villa here and named it Chinzanso  "House of Camellias” because of the many camellias that grow here. Yamagata incorporated the topography of the grounds to its best advantage to create a unique Japanese garden here. Later the property was purchased by Baron Fujita who decorated the grounds with historical monuments from all over Japan.  Most notably a thousand year old pagoda was transported from the Chikurin-ji temple in Hiroshima Prefecture.  Other cultural treasures are found in the garden include stone lanterns and many Buddhist rakan or disciple sculptures. The grounds of Chinzanso are now a part of a large luxury hotel, however visitors are free to walk the grounds of the garden.
    chinzanso-7.jpg
  • The renowned Japanese haiku poet Matsuo Basho lived in a hut overlooking the valley where Chinzanso Garden stands.  Prince Aritomo Yamagata built a villa here and named it Chinzanso  "House of Camellias” because of the many camellias that grow here. Yamagata incorporated the topography of the grounds to its best advantage to create a unique Japanese garden here. Later the property was purchased by Baron Fujita who decorated the grounds with historical monuments from all over Japan.  Most notably a thousand year old pagoda was transported from the Chikurin-ji temple in Hiroshima Prefecture.  Other cultural treasures are found in the garden include stone lanterns and many Buddhist rakan or disciple sculptures. The grounds of Chinzanso are now a part of a large luxury hotel, however visitors are free to walk the grounds of the garden.
    chinzanso-4.jpg
  • Stone Lantern at Fukusan Kaikan - Fukusan Kaikan Garden is a part of Fukuyama Castle grounds.  Ishidoro lanterns are usually used to decorate Japanese gardens, shrines and temples rather than for providing light, although occasionally they are lit up with candles inside during festivals.   Ishidoro Lanterns were introduced to Japan via China in the 6th century.  The earliest lanterns, found only in temple grounds, were designed to hold the flame representing Buddha.  Light  helps us overcome the darkness of ignorance. Ishidoro were originally used at temples, gardens and shrines.  Around the 16th century stone lanterns were adopted and placed in the gardens of teahouses. The garden itself is a forest pond style garden designed by Nishimura, a Kyoto artist, which took 10 years to complete.  Its pond is in the shape of a heart.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-222.jpg
  • Stone Lantern at Fukusan Kaikan - Fukusan Kaikan Garden is a part of Fukuyama Castle grounds.  Ishidoro lanterns are usually used to decorate Japanese gardens, shrines and temples rather than for providing light, although occasionally they are lit up with candles inside during festivals.   Ishidoro Lanterns were introduced to Japan via China in the 6th century.  The earliest lanterns, found only in temple grounds, were designed to hold the flame representing Buddha.  Light  helps us overcome the darkness of ignorance. Ishidoro were originally used at temples, gardens and shrines.  Around the 16th century stone lanterns were adopted and placed in the gardens of teahouses. The garden itself is a forest pond style garden designed by Nishimura, a Kyoto artist, which took 10 years to complete.  Its pond is in the shape of a heart.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-252.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Pagoda - Jodoji  is known for its magnificent  tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot.  Its grounds, several buildings are listed as National Treasures of Japan.
    jodoji-garden-onomichi-5.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Pagoda - Jodoji  is known for its magnificent  tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot.  Its grounds, several buildings are listed as National Treasures of Japan.
    jodoji-onomichi-2.jpg
  • Matsushima Bay is famous for its view of over 260 tiny islands and considered to be one of Japan's Three Great Sights - Nihon Sankei. (The other two are Miyajima Island in Hiroshima and Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture).  Some of the islands have unusual shapes, most are covered with pines, as Matsushima means "pine island". Its beauty was immortalized in one of Basho's most famous poems. Matsushima Bay is also famous for oysters farmed in the bay.  Fukuurajima is a larger island to the north reached by a 250 meter long vermilion bridge and has a pleasant garden for strolling.  Matsushima is a very popular destination for Japanese sightseers with ferries and sightseeing boats leaving hourly throughout the year.
    matsushima-bay-12.jpg
  • Matsushima Bay is famous for its view of over 260 tiny islands and considered to be one of Japan's Three Great Sights - Nihon Sankei. (The other two are Miyajima Island in Hiroshima and Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture).  Some of the islands have unusual shapes, most are covered with pines, as Matsushima means "pine island". Its beauty was immortalized in one of Basho's most famous poems. Matsushima Bay is also famous for oysters farmed in the bay.  Fukuurajima is a larger island to the north reached by a 250 meter long vermilion bridge and has a pleasant garden for strolling.  Matsushima is a very popular destination for Japanese sightseers with ferries and sightseeing boats leaving hourly throughout the year.
    matsushima-bay-6.jpg
  • Fukuurajima is an island at Matsushima Bay reached by a 250 meter long vermilion bridge and has a pleasant garden for strolling. Matsushima is a very popular destination for Japanese sightseers with ferries and sightseeing boats leaving hourly throughout the year.  Matsushima Bay is famous for its view of over 260 tiny islands and considered to be one of Japan's Three Great Sights - Nihon Sankei. (The other two are Miyajima Island in Hiroshima and Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture) Its beauty was immortalized in one of Basho's most famous poems. Matsushima Bay is also famous for oysters farmed in the bay.  Ojima Island to the south of the bay was used by Zen monks during their ascetic training. There are Buddhist rock carvings and meditation caves
    matsu-1.jpg
  • Matsushima Bay is famous for its view of over 260 tiny islands and considered to be one of Japan's Three Great Sights - Nihon Sankei. (The other two are Miyajima Island in Hiroshima and Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture).  Some of the islands have unusual shapes, most are covered with pines, as Matsushima means "pine island". Its beauty was immortalized in one of Basho's most famous poems. Matsushima Bay is also famous for oysters farmed in the bay.  Fukuurajima is a larger island to the north reached by a 250 meter long vermilion bridge and has a pleasant garden for strolling.  Matsushima is a very popular destination for Japanese sightseers with ferries and sightseeing boats leaving hourly throughout the year.
    matsushima-bay-21.jpg
  • Matsushima Bay is famous for its view of over 260 tiny islands and considered to be one of Japan's Three Great Sights - Nihon Sankei. (The other two are Miyajima Island in Hiroshima and Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture).  Some of the islands have unusual shapes, most are covered with pines, as Matsushima means "pine island". Its beauty was immortalized in one of Basho's most famous poems. Matsushima Bay is also famous for oysters farmed in the bay.  Fukuurajima is a larger island to the north reached by a 250 meter long vermilion bridge and has a pleasant garden for strolling.  Matsushima is a very popular destination for Japanese sightseers with ferries and sightseeing boats leaving hourly throughout the year.
    matsushima-bay-11.jpg
  • Matsushima Bay is famous for its view of over 260 tiny islands and considered to be one of Japan's Three Great Sights - Nihon Sankei. (The other two are Miyajima Island in Hiroshima and Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture).  Some of the islands have unusual shapes, most are covered with pines, as Matsushima means "pine island". Its beauty was immortalized in one of Basho's most famous poems. Matsushima Bay is also famous for oysters farmed in the bay.  Fukuurajima is a larger island to the north reached by a 250 meter long vermilion bridge and has a pleasant garden for strolling.  Matsushima is a very popular destination for Japanese sightseers with ferries and sightseeing boats leaving hourly throughout the year.
    matsushima-bay-9.jpg
  • Matsushima Bay is famous for its view of over 260 tiny islands and considered to be one of Japan's Three Great Sights - Nihon Sankei. (The other two are Miyajima Island in Hiroshima and Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture).  Some of the islands have unusual shapes, most are covered with pines, as Matsushima means "pine island". Its beauty was immortalized in one of Basho's most famous poems. Matsushima Bay is also famous for oysters farmed in the bay.  Fukuurajima is a larger island to the north reached by a 250 meter long vermilion bridge and has a pleasant garden for strolling.  Matsushima is a very popular destination for Japanese sightseers with ferries and sightseeing boats leaving hourly throughout the year.
    matsushima-bay-7.jpg
  • Matsushima Bay is famous for its view of over 260 tiny islands and considered to be one of Japan's Three Great Sights - Nihon Sankei. (The other two are Miyajima Island in Hiroshima and Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture).  Some of the islands have unusual shapes, most are covered with pines, as Matsushima means "pine island". Its beauty was immortalized in one of Basho's most famous poems. Matsushima Bay is also famous for oysters farmed in the bay.  Fukuurajima is a larger island to the north reached by a 250 meter long vermilion bridge and has a pleasant garden for strolling.  Matsushima is a very popular destination for Japanese sightseers with ferries and sightseeing boats leaving hourly throughout the year.
    matsushima-bay-1.jpg
  • Matsushima Bay is famous for its view of over 260 tiny islands and considered to be one of Japan's Three Great Sights - Nihon Sankei. (The other two are Miyajima Island in Hiroshima and Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture).  Some of the islands have unusual shapes, most are covered with pines, as Matsushima means "pine island". Its beauty was immortalized in one of Basho's most famous poems. Matsushima Bay is also famous for oysters farmed in the bay.  Fukuurajima is a larger island to the north reached by a 250 meter long vermilion bridge and has a pleasant garden for strolling.  Matsushima is a very popular destination for Japanese sightseers with ferries and sightseeing boats leaving hourly throughout the year.
    matsushima-bay-2.jpg
  • Fukuurajima is an island at Matsushima Bay reached by a 250 meter long vermilion bridge and has a pleasant garden for strolling. Matsushima is a very popular destination for Japanese sightseers with ferries and sightseeing boats leaving hourly throughout the year.  Matsushima Bay is famous for its view of over 260 tiny islands and considered to be one of Japan's Three Great Sights - Nihon Sankei. (The other two are Miyajima Island in Hiroshima and Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture) Its beauty was immortalized in one of Basho's most famous poems. Matsushima Bay is also famous for oysters farmed in the bay.  Ojima Island to the south of the bay was used by Zen monks during their ascetic training. There are Buddhist rock carvings and meditation caves
    matsu-2.jpg
  • Matsushima Bay is famous for its view of over 260 tiny islands and considered to be one of Japan's Three Great Sights - Nihon Sankei. (The other two are Miyajima Island in Hiroshima and Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture).  Some of the islands have unusual shapes, most are covered with pines, as Matsushima means "pine island". Its beauty was immortalized in one of Basho's most famous poems. Matsushima Bay is also famous for oysters farmed in the bay.  Fukuurajima is a larger island to the north reached by a 250 meter long vermilion bridge and has a pleasant garden for strolling.  Matsushima is a very popular destination for Japanese sightseers with ferries and sightseeing boats leaving hourly throughout the year.
    matsushima-bay-10.jpg
  • Matsushima Bay is famous for its view of over 260 tiny islands and considered to be one of Japan's Three Great Sights - Nihon Sankei. (The other two are Miyajima Island in Hiroshima and Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture).  Some of the islands have unusual shapes, most are covered with pines, as Matsushima means "pine island". Its beauty was immortalized in one of Basho's most famous poems. Matsushima Bay is also famous for oysters farmed in the bay.  Fukuurajima is a larger island to the north reached by a 250 meter long vermilion bridge and has a pleasant garden for strolling.  Matsushima is a very popular destination for Japanese sightseers with ferries and sightseeing boats leaving hourly throughout the year.
    matsushima-bay-5.jpg
  • Matsushima Bay is famous for its view of over 260 tiny islands and considered to be one of Japan's Three Great Sights - Nihon Sankei. (The other two are Miyajima Island in Hiroshima and Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture).  Some of the islands have unusual shapes, most are covered with pines, as Matsushima means "pine island". Its beauty was immortalized in one of Basho's most famous poems. Matsushima Bay is also famous for oysters farmed in the bay.  Fukuurajima is a larger island to the north reached by a 250 meter long vermilion bridge and has a pleasant garden for strolling.  Matsushima is a very popular destination for Japanese sightseers with ferries and sightseeing boats leaving hourly throughout the year.
    matsu-3.jpg
  • Matsushima Bay is famous for its view of over 260 tiny islands and considered to be one of Japan's Three Great Sights - Nihon Sankei. (The other two are Miyajima Island in Hiroshima and Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture).  Some of the islands have unusual shapes, most are covered with pines, as Matsushima means "pine island". Its beauty was immortalized in one of Basho's most famous poems. Matsushima Bay is also famous for oysters farmed in the bay.  Fukuurajima is a larger island to the north reached by a 250 meter long vermilion bridge and has a pleasant garden for strolling.  Matsushima is a very popular destination for Japanese sightseers with ferries and sightseeing boats leaving hourly throughout the year.
    matsushima-bay-3.jpg