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  • Sanshiro Pond was once known as Ikutokuen Shinji-ike, and forms a part of Tokyo University’s on campus Japanese garden.  The pond and garden were constructed in 1638 along with the surrounding Ikutokuen Garden by Toshitsune Maeda, Lord of the Kaga Domain. It was ranked as the best garden created by feudal lords in Tokyo during Edo Period but the pond element is all that is left of Ikutokuen Garden.  The pond has come to be known as Sanshiro Pond from the novel Sanshiro by Soseki Natsume. In the story, the pond is described as the place where the protagonist meets the woman he admires.
    sanshiro-pond-04.jpg
  • Sanshiro Pond was once known as Ikutokuen Shinji-ike, and forms a part of Tokyo University’s on campus Japanese garden.  The pond and garden were constructed in 1638 along with the surrounding Ikutokuen Garden by Toshitsune Maeda, Lord of the Kaga Domain. It was ranked as the best garden created by feudal lords in Tokyo during Edo Period but the pond element is all that is left of Ikutokuen Garden.  The pond has come to be known as Sanshiro Pond from the novel Sanshiro by Soseki Natsume. In the story, the pond is described as the place where the protagonist meets the woman he admires.
    sanshiro-pond-5.jpg
  • Sanshiro Pond was once known as Ikutokuen Shinji-ike, and forms a part of Tokyo University’s on campus Japanese garden.  The pond and garden were constructed in 1638 along with the surrounding Ikutokuen Garden by Toshitsune Maeda, Lord of the Kaga Domain. It was ranked as the best garden created by feudal lords in Tokyo during Edo Period but the pond element is all that is left of Ikutokuen Garden.  The pond has come to be known as Sanshiro Pond from the novel Sanshiro by Soseki Natsume. In the story, the pond is described as the place where the protagonist meets the woman he admires.
    sanshiro-pond-03.jpg
  • Sanshiro Pond was once known as Ikutokuen Shinji-ike, and forms a part of Tokyo University’s on campus Japanese garden.  The pond and garden were constructed in 1638 along with the surrounding Ikutokuen Garden by Toshitsune Maeda, Lord of the Kaga Domain. It was ranked as the best garden created by feudal lords in Tokyo during Edo Period but the pond element is all that is left of Ikutokuen Garden.  The pond has come to be known as Sanshiro Pond from the novel Sanshiro by Soseki Natsume. In the story, the pond is described as the place where the protagonist meets the woman he admires.
    sanshiro-pond-02.jpg
  • Sanshiro Pond lies in the heart of Tokyo University campus, dating back to 1615. After the fall of the Osaka Castle, the shogun gave this pond and its surrounding garden to Maeda Toshitsune. It became known as one of the most beautiful gardens in  Tokyo, with the traditional eight landscapes and eight borders, and known for originality in artificial pond, hills, and pavilions. It was at that time known as Ikutoku-en or Garden of Teaching Virtue. The pond's contours are in the shape of the character for 'heart' and thus its official name is Ikutoku-en Shinjiike. It has been commonly called Sanshiro Pond after the title of Natsume S?seki's novel Sanshiro.
    sanshiro-pond-02.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.
    carp-pond-09.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.
    carp-pond-11.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.
    carp-pond-10.jpg
  • Koi Pond at Taizoin - Koi ponds are used as part of a landscape garden with Nishikigoi   ornamental carps. It is said that the design of the koi pond has an effect on the well-being of the carp. Various sophisticated methods are used to protect the carp from predators.
    koi-pond-2.jpg
  • Koi ponds are ponds used as part of a landscape pond garden.  Classic koi ponds have Nishikigoi  Japanese ornamental carps. The design of the koi pond has a great effect on the well-being of the carp.
    koi-pond-1.jpg
  • Jizo-ji Temple Pond Garden - Jizo-ji Temple belongs to the Soto Zen sect of Buddhism. There is garden of kaiyu shiki teien style of the early Edo period.  Here, the backdrop and borrowed scenery have been used skillfully. Its unique Y shaped waterfall, is an unusual addition.  There is an stone bridge the crosses over the pond, festooned with iris in season while tiny islands appear to be afloat within the pond.  The garden at Jizo-ji Temple is almost hidden and takes some effort to find it behind the main hall.  Seeking it out is well worth the effort.
    jizo-ji-pond-garden-01.jpg
  • Jizo-ji Temple Pond Garden - Jizo-ji Temple belongs to the Soto Zen sect of Buddhism. There is garden of kaiyu shiki teien style of the early Edo period.  Here, the backdrop and borrowed scenery have been used skillfully. Its unique Y shaped waterfall, is an unusual addition.  There is an stone bridge the crosses over the pond, festooned with iris in season while tiny islands appear to be afloat within the pond.  The garden at Jizo-ji Temple is almost hidden and takes some effort to find it behind the main hall.  Seeking it out is well worth the effort.
    jizo-ji-pond-garden-02.jpg
  • Jiunji Temple Pond Garden - Jiunji Temple is blessed with a variety of growth: pine, cherry blossoms as well as a dry rock garden and moss which highlights each season. Gardeners are brought in from Kyoto to maintain the trees and the garden.  But besides all that, adjacent to the temple and garden is a huge pine tree that was planted in the 16th century by the zen monk Tenkei.  Jiunji is surrounded by gardens - not only one garden, but  an array of gardens, zen, moss and a pond garden behind the main hall.
    jiunji-pond-garden-01.jpg
  • Shinobazu Pond Sakura, Ueno - A cherry blossom is the flower of any of several trees of genus Prunus, particularly the Japanese Cherry, Prunus serrulata, which is called sakura in Japanese.  Japan has a wide variety of cherry blossoms with well over 200 types can be found there.[ The most popular variety of cherry blossom in Japan is the Somei Yoshino. Its flowers are nearly white, tinged with the palest pink, and bloom and fall within a week, before the leaves come out.
    shinobazu-pond.jpg
  • Bentendo Hall at Daigoji Temple Pond - Daigoji Temple Garden within Daigoji temple complex, a UNESCO world heritage site that includes many temple halls, structures and pagodas including Kyoto's oldest building.
    daigoji-pond-garden-1.jpg
  • Hokkeji Temple Garden is next door to Kaminomiya at Suwa Taisha Shrine with an impressive pond garden. There are satsuki azaleas planted on the slope that accentuates the small pond garden.  Although the founding of the temple is unknown, it opened as a Tendai sect temple during the Kamakura Period, then later became a Rinzai sect temple.  After that, Suwa Taisha was burned by the Oda clan during the Warring States period when Nobunaga made Hokke-ji his temple.  At the time there were many other temples in the area but only Hokkeji remains. 
    hokkeiji-pond-garden-02.jpg
  • Wakutama Pond at Sengen Taisha Shrine, Formed by the melted snow of Mount Fuji, this pond has been designated a special natural treasure. The elegant, vermillion arched bridge hovers over the spring that flows from the foot of Kantate Knoll. In former times, those climbing Mount Fuji purified themselves in this sacred spring.
    wakutame-pond-3.jpg
  • Hokkeji Temple Garden is next door to Kaminomiya at Suwa Taisha Shrine with an impressive pond garden. There are satsuki azaleas planted on the slope that accentuates the small pond garden.  Although the founding of the temple is unknown, it opened as a Tendai sect temple during the Kamakura Period, then later became a Rinzai sect temple.  After that, Suwa Taisha was burned by the Oda clan during the Warring States period when Nobunaga made Hokke-ji his temple.  At the time there were many other temples in the area but only Hokkeji remains. 
    hokkeiji-pond-garden-01.jpg
  • Sarusawa-no-Ike or Sarusawa Pond <br />
is surrounded by willow trees and the five storey pagoda of Kofukuji Temple reflected in its waters. This scene is often used  to represent Nara.<br />
The pond was originally a part of Kofukuji Temple
    kofukuji-sarusawa-pond-1.jpg
  • Iris Pond at Hasedera - Hase-dera officially named Kaiko-zan Jisho-in Hase-dera but commonly called Hase Kannon.  Hase-Dera has landscaped Japanese gardens, a giant prayer wheel, jizo caves, a bamboo grove, and a vegetarian restaurant up the hill with a bird-eye view of Kamakura and the Shonan Coast. Hase-dera is famous for its massive wooden statue of Kannon - a treasure of Japan.  Originally belonging to the Tendai sect of Buddhism, Hase-dera became an independent temple of the Jodo sect of Zen Buddhism.
    hasedera-pond-2.jpg
  • Ryoanji Pond Garden is a treat, although Ryoanji's famous zen garden is one of the world's best known gardens after Versailles. The temple's main attraction is its rock garden, the most famous of its kind in Japan. The simple Zen garden consist of nothing but rocks, moss and neatly raked gravel. Though the meaning of the garden's arrangement is unknown and up to each visitor's interpretation, it is said that if you can see all of the 15 stones at one time, you will have reached enlightenment.
    ryoanji-pond-garden.jpg
  • Kofukuji Temple's pagoda, seen from Sarusawa Pond, Kofukuji is one of the great temples of the Nara period and features a tall five storey pagoda. Today only a handful of the temple's 175 buildings remain standing, most of which date from the 15th century.  Kofukuji was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.
    sarusawa-pond.jpg
  • Saga-Ike Pond, Nara
    saga-ike-pond.jpg
  • Chogakuji Temple Pure Land ond Garden - Chogakuji Temple is said to have been founded around 824 by Kobo Daishi,.  In a rural area of Nara, the temple has two different Japanese gardens.  One is a small pond garden, surrounded by pine trees in a tsubo niwa or pocket garden style.  The Pure Land garden is rather austere, overlooking the temple itself.
    chogakuji-pond.garden-1.jpg
  • Meigetsuin Pond Garden - Meigetsuin, also known as Ajisaidera or Hydrangea Temple since many Hime Ajisai Princess Hydrangea are planted on the grounds coming into season in June - the rainy season in Japan. Meigetsuin's main hall features a circular moon viewing window, which frames the scenery of the inner garden behind it. The inner garden is famous for its iris garden. Meigetsu means bright moon or harvest moon.  In Japan rabbits are associated with the moon, and so rabbit motifs are found on some decorations in and around the temple and gardens.  Live rabbits are also kept on the temple grounds.  Meigetsuin Temple is of the Rinzai Zen Buddhism sect, and was established as a sub-temple of Zuisenji.
    meigetsuin-pond-garden-3.jpg
  • Meigetsuin Pond Garden - Meigetsuin, also known as Ajisaidera or Hydrangea Temple since many Hime Ajisai Princess Hydrangea are planted on the grounds coming into season in June - the rainy season in Japan. Meigetsuin's main hall features a circular moon viewing window, which frames the scenery of the inner garden behind it. The inner garden is famous for its iris garden. Meigetsu means bright moon or harvest moon.  In Japan rabbits are associated with the moon, and so rabbit motifs are found on some decorations in and around the temple and gardens.  Live rabbits are also kept on the temple grounds.  Meigetsuin Temple is of the Rinzai Zen Buddhism sect, and was established as a sub-temple of Zuisenji.
    meigetsuin-pond-garden-2.jpg
  • Meigetsuin Pond Garden - Meigetsuin, also known as Ajisaidera or Hydrangea Temple since many Hime Ajisai Princess Hydrangea are planted on the grounds coming into season in June - the rainy season in Japan. Meigetsuin's main hall features a circular moon viewing window, which frames the scenery of the inner garden behind it. The inner garden is famous for its iris garden. Meigetsu means bright moon or harvest moon.  In Japan rabbits are associated with the moon, and so rabbit motifs are found on some decorations in and around the temple and gardens.  Live rabbits are also kept on the temple grounds.  Meigetsuin Temple is of the Rinzai Zen Buddhism sect, and was established as a sub-temple of Zuisenji.
    meigetsuin-pond-garden-1.jpg
  • Ryoanji Temple Pond - Ryoanji Temple garden is one of the world's best known gardens. The main attraction is its rock garden, the most renowned of its kind in Japan. The simple Zen garden consist of nothing but rocks and neatly raked gravel. Though the meaning of the garden's arrangement is unknown and up to each visitor's interpretation it is said that if you can see all of the 15 stones at one time you have reached enlightenment.
    ryoanji-temple-pond-1.jpg
  • The pond at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the one of the most famous spots in Kamakura for sakura views after Wakamiyaoji Path, which leads to the shrine itself.  A cherry blossom is the flower of any of several trees of genus Prunus, particularly the Japanese Cherry, Prunus serrulata, which is called sakura in Japanese.  Japan has a wide variety of cherry blossoms with well over 200 types can be found there.[ The most popular variety of cherry blossom in Japan is the Somei Yoshino. Its flowers are nearly white, tinged with the palest pink, and bloom and fall within a week, before the leaves come out.
    tsurugaoka-pond-4.jpg
  • Zuishin-in Pond Garden - Zuishin-in is a quiet temple removed from the Kyoto city center in Yamashina.  The temple is also called the Mandala Temple after a legend in which the founding priest’s mother had been reincarnated and had a priest make a mandala.  The famous poet Ono no Komachi is also strongly  connected to this temple, and items related to her are scattered around the temple halls and the gardens.  The garden is known for its small pond and abundant use of moss.  Zuishin-in’s appeal is in its seclusion, with the exception of the famous flowering plum season for which it is known.  Zuishinin temple belongs to the Shingon sect of Buddhism
    zuishin-in-1amber-2.jpg
  • Umi Jigoku Garden Lotus Pond - Most of the hells of Beppu are presented to visitors in a touristy fashion, that is “extra” attractions such as piranhas and crocodiles.  The main exception is Umi Jigoku or Sea Hell.  In addition to its sea hell itself and foot bath, there is an attractive Japanese garden surrounding the venue.  Umi Jigoku or ocean blue hell is a cobalt blue color.  There is also an ashiyu foot bath here as well with water a more comfortable temperature at 40C. Umi was the first of the hells to be designated as places of scenic beauty by the government of Japan.  The hells or jigoku of Beppu are eight spectacular hot springs for viewing rather than bathing in - which would be rather dangerous as temperatures can go up beyond 60C.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-114.jpg
  • Shinsenen is the oldest existing garden in Kyoto and dates back to the Heian period 794-1185.  This pond garden was made in an area that was marshy. Shinsenen’s site was originally six times larger than its present state.  In Chinese characters the pond was called “God’s Fountain,” because very fresh and pure water always welled up from the pond. Also it is said that noblemen enjoyed rowing in the pond or hunting on the garden’s grounds during the Heian era.  Adjacent to the pond garden Heihachi Restaurant is famous for serving the thickest noodles in Japan - it has a dragon headed stationary boat on the pond that is mostly disused and merely a decoration in the pond.  There is a red bridge called Hojyo Bridge where wishes came true as you cross the bridge thinking about it and pray at Zennyo Ryuou Shrine on the opposite shore.
    shinsen-en-6.jpg
  • Shinsenen is the oldest existing garden in Kyoto and dates back to the Heian period 794-1185.  This pond garden was made in an area that was marshy. Shinsenen’s site was originally six times larger than its present state.  In Chinese characters the pond was called “God’s Fountain,” because very fresh and pure water always welled up from the pond. Also it is said that noblemen enjoyed rowing in the pond or hunting on the garden’s grounds during the Heian era.  Adjacent to the pond garden Heihachi Restaurant is famous for serving the thickest noodles in Japan - it has a dragon headed stationary boat on the pond that is mostly disused and merely a decoration in the pond.  There is a red bridge called Hojyo Bridge where wishes came true as you cross the bridge thinking about it and pray at Zennyo Ryuou Shrine on the opposite shore.
    shinsen-en-5.jpg
  • Shinsenen is the oldest existing garden in Kyoto and dates back to the Heian period 794-1185.  This pond garden was made in an area that was marshy. Shinsenen’s site was originally six times larger than its present state.  In Chinese characters the pond was called “God’s Fountain,” because very fresh and pure water always welled up from the pond. Also it is said that noblemen enjoyed rowing in the pond or hunting on the garden’s grounds during the Heian era.  Adjacent to the pond garden Heihachi Restaurant is famous for serving the thickest noodles in Japan - it has a dragon headed stationary boat on the pond that is mostly disused and merely a decoration in the pond.  There is a red bridge called Hojyo Bridge where wishes came true as you cross the bridge thinking about it and pray at Zennyo Ryuou Shrine on the opposite shore.
    shinsen-en-7.jpg
  • Yasukuni Shinchi Teien Sacred Pond Garden  -  this strolling garden was created in the early Meiji Era. Its centerpiece is a small waterfall located in a serene pond.  The garden was neglected for many years and left in ruins but was refurbished in 1999.  Its main features are a waterfall and koi pond and pond garden. The centerpiece is a serene pond with strolling paths around it.  Shinchi Teien or Sacred Pond Garden was established during the early Meiji period. This hidden garden is located adjacent to controversial Yasukuni Shrine.
    shinchi-teien-26.jpg
  • Yasukuni Shinchi Teien Sacred Pond Garden  -  this strolling garden was created in the early Meiji Era. Its centerpiece is a small waterfall located in a serene pond.  The garden was neglected for many years and left in ruins but was refurbished in 1999.  Its main features are a waterfall and koi pond and pond garden. The centerpiece is a serene pond with strolling paths around it.  Shinchi Teien or Sacred Pond Garden was established during the early Meiji period. This hidden garden is located adjacent to controversial Yasukuni Shrine.
    shinchi-teien-25.jpg
  • Yasukuni Shinchi Teien Sacred Pond Garden  -  this strolling garden was created in the early Meiji Era. Its centerpiece is a small waterfall located in a serene pond.  The garden was neglected for many years and left in ruins but was refurbished in 1999.  Its main features are a waterfall and koi pond and pond garden. The centerpiece is a serene pond with strolling paths around it.  Shinchi Teien or Sacred Pond Garden was established during the early Meiji period. This hidden garden is located adjacent to controversial Yasukuni Shrine.
    shinchi-teien-24.jpg
  • Yasukuni Shinchi Teien Sacred Pond Garden  -  this strolling garden was created in the early Meiji Era. Its centerpiece is a small waterfall located in a serene pond.  The garden was neglected for many years and left in ruins but was refurbished in 1999.  Its main features are a waterfall and koi pond and pond garden. The centerpiece is a serene pond with strolling paths around it.  Shinchi Teien or Sacred Pond Garden was established during the early Meiji period. This hidden garden is located adjacent to controversial Yasukuni Shrine.
    shinchi-teien-23.jpg
  • Shinsenen is the oldest existing garden in Kyoto and dates back to the Heian period 794-1185.  This pond garden was made in an area that was marshy. Shinsenen’s site was originally six times larger than its present state.  In Chinese characters the pond was called “God’s Fountain,” because very fresh and pure water always welled up from the pond. Also it is said that noblemen enjoyed rowing in the pond or hunting on the garden’s grounds during the Heian era.  Adjacent to the pond garden Heihachi Restaurant is famous for serving the thickest noodles in Japan - it has a dragon headed stationary boat on the pond that is mostly disused and merely a decoration in the pond.  There is a red bridge called Hojyo Bridge where wishes came true as you cross the bridge thinking about it and pray at Zennyo Ryuou Shrine on the opposite shore.
    shinsen-en-8.jpg
  • Yasukuni Shinchi Teien Sacred Pond Garden  -  this strolling garden was created in the early Meiji Era. Its centerpiece is a small waterfall located in a serene pond.  The garden was neglected for many years and left in ruins but was refurbished in 1999.  Its main features are a waterfall and koi pond and pond garden. The centerpiece is a serene pond with strolling paths around it.  Shinchi Teien or Sacred Pond Garden was established during the early Meiji period. This hidden garden is located adjacent to controversial Yasukuni Shrine.
    shinchi-teien-27.jpg
  • Yasukuni Shinchi Teien Sacred Pond Garden  -  this strolling garden was created in the early Meiji Era. Its centerpiece is a small waterfall located in a serene pond.  The garden was neglected for many years and left in ruins but was refurbished in 1999.  Its main features are a waterfall and koi pond and pond garden. The centerpiece is a serene pond with strolling paths around it.  Shinchi Teien or Sacred Pond Garden was established during the early Meiji period. This hidden garden is located adjacent to controversial Yasukuni Shrine.
    shinchi-teien-22.jpg
  • Lotus Pond Garden at  Chi Lin Nunnery -  Nan Lian Garden is situation just below the Lotus Pond Garden of Chi Lin Nunnery to which it is connected. The focal point of the Lotus Pond Garden is of course its pond and the lotuses blooming within, as well as reflections of the temple and nunnery in the background.  Nan Lian Garden is connected to Chi Lin Nunnery.  Although this Chinese garden is fairly new, it exudes a timeless ambiance, despite the fact that it was designed in 2003 and completed in 2006. Both the garden and the nunnery are build in the Tang Dynasty style.  The style of this special garden, was modeled after Jiangshouju Garden in Shanxi, China.  It is made up of springs, rockeries, waterfalls, ponds, pavilions bridges and winding paths.  The garden and nunnery are considered a public park of Hong Kong and are consequently free to enter, with the exception of the fancy teahouse on the pond that.
    chi.linh.nunnery-3.jpg
  • Lotus Pond Garden at  Chi Lin Nunnery -  Nan Lian Garden is situation just below the Lotus Pond Garden of Chi Lin Nunnery to which it is connected. The focal point of the Lotus Pond Garden is of course its pond and the lotuses blooming within, as well as reflections of the temple and nunnery in the background.  Nan Lian Garden is connected to Chi Lin Nunnery.  Although this Chinese garden is fairly new, it exudes a timeless ambiance, despite the fact that it was designed in 2003 and completed in 2006. Both the garden and the nunnery are build in the Tang Dynasty style.  The style of this special garden, was modeled after Jiangshouju Garden in Shanxi, China.  It is made up of springs, rockeries, waterfalls, ponds, pavilions bridges and winding paths.  The garden and nunnery are considered a public park of Hong Kong and are consequently free to enter, with the exception of the fancy teahouse on the pond that.
    chi-lin-nunnery-1.jpg
  • Sanshiro Pond was once known as Ikutokuen Shinji-ike, and forms a part of Tokyo University’s on campus Japanese garden.  The pond and garden were constructed in 1638 along with the surrounding Ikutokuen Garden by Toshitsune Maeda, Lord of the Kaga Domain. It was ranked as the best garden created by feudal lords in Tokyo during Edo Period but the pond element is all that is left of Ikutokuen Garden.  The pond has come to be known as Sanshiro Pond from the novel Sanshiro by Soseki Natsume. In the story, the pond is described as the place where the protagonist meets the woman he admires.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-116.jpg
  • Yasukuni Shinchi Teien Sacred Pond Garden  -  this strolling garden was created in the early Meiji Era. Its centerpiece is a small waterfall located in a serene pond.  The garden was neglected for many years and left in ruins but was refurbished in 1999.  Its main features are a waterfall and koi pond and pond garden. The centerpiece is a serene pond with strolling paths around it.  Shinchi Teien or Sacred Pond Garden was established during the early Meiji period. This hidden garden is located adjacent to controversial Yasukuni Shrine.
    shinchi-teien-20.jpg
  • Lotus Pond Garden at  Chi Lin Nunnery -  Nan Lian Garden is situation just below the Lotus Pond Garden of Chi Lin Nunnery to which it is connected. The focal point of the Lotus Pond Garden is of course its pond and the lotuses blooming within, as well as reflections of the temple and nunnery in the background.  Nan Lian Garden is connected to Chi Lin Nunnery.  Although this Chinese garden is fairly new, it exudes a timeless ambiance, despite the fact that it was designed in 2003 and completed in 2006. Both the garden and the nunnery are build in the Tang Dynasty style.  The style of this special garden, was modeled after Jiangshouju Garden in Shanxi, China.  It is made up of springs, rockeries, waterfalls, ponds, pavilions bridges and winding paths.  The garden and nunnery are considered a public park of Hong Kong and are consequently free to enter, with the exception of the fancy teahouse on the pond that.
    chi-lin-nunnery-2.jpg
  • Takao Komagino Pond Garden is a public garden supported by the city of Hachioji Tokyo.  Takao Komagino  has a total of three small gardens within its compound.   Its pond garden or chisen kaiyu style garden is modeled after those in Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji, Rokuon-ji and Nijo-jo Ninomaru Garden that are famous for this garden style inspired the design of this pond garden.  Visitors can appreciate views of a crane-shaped island, a tortoise shaped island, a waterfall composed of stones, wisteria trellis, and the showpiece: the lotus pond shaped like the Chinese character for “heart”. The pond is filled with Nishikigoi koi carp.  Attached to the teahouse building is a japanese dry landscape karesanui garden called Shozansui. By combining large and smaller stones planted on white sand it expresses an ideal world.  This type of garden uses gravel used to express the flow of water.  Normally these gardens are only found within Zen Buhddhist temples, and it is very rare to find one in a private garden such as this.  Besides all this, there is one additional small tea garden.  Takao Komagino  Garden is free to enter and even has a special suikinkutsu hand basin or chozubachi, which accentuates the sound of water.
    takao-komagino-07.jpg
  • Takao Komagino Pond Garden is a public garden supported by the city of Hachioji Tokyo.  Takao Komagino  has a total of three small gardens within its compound.   Its pond garden or chisen kaiyu style garden is modeled after those in Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji, Rokuon-ji and Nijo-jo Ninomaru Garden that are famous for this garden style inspired the design of this pond garden.  Visitors can appreciate views of a crane-shaped island, a tortoise shaped island, a waterfall composed of stones, wisteria trellis, and the showpiece: the lotus pond shaped like the Chinese character for “heart”. The pond is filled with Nishikigoi koi carp.  Attached to the teahouse building is a japanese dry landscape karesanui garden called Shozansui. By combining large and smaller stones planted on white sand it expresses an ideal world.  This type of garden uses gravel used to express the flow of water.  Normally these gardens are only found within Zen Buhddhist temples, and it is very rare to find one in a private garden such as this.  Besides all this, there is one additional small tea garden.  Takao Komagino  Garden is free to enter and even has a special suikinkutsu hand basin or chozubachi, which accentuates the sound of water.
    takao-komagino-05.jpg
  • Takao Komagino Pond Garden is a public garden supported by the city of Hachioji Tokyo.  Takao Komagino  has a total of three small gardens within its compound.   Its pond garden or chisen kaiyu style garden is modeled after those in Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji, Rokuon-ji and Nijo-jo Ninomaru Garden that are famous for this garden style inspired the design of this pond garden.  Visitors can appreciate views of a crane-shaped island, a tortoise shaped island, a waterfall composed of stones, wisteria trellis, and the showpiece: the lotus pond shaped like the Chinese character for “heart”. The pond is filled with Nishikigoi koi carp.  Attached to the teahouse building is a japanese dry landscape karesanui garden called Shozansui. By combining large and smaller stones planted on white sand it expresses an ideal world.  This type of garden uses gravel used to express the flow of water.  Normally these gardens are only found within Zen Buhddhist temples, and it is very rare to find one in a private garden such as this.  Besides all this, there is one additional small tea garden.  Takao Komagino  Garden is free to enter and even has a special suikinkutsu hand basin or chozubachi, which accentuates the sound of water.
    takao-komagino-04.jpg
  • Takao Komagino Pond Garden is a public garden supported by the city of Hachioji Tokyo.  Takao Komagino  has a total of three small gardens within its compound.   Its pond garden or chisen kaiyu style garden is modeled after those in Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji, Rokuon-ji and Nijo-jo Ninomaru Garden that are famous for this garden style inspired the design of this pond garden.  Visitors can appreciate views of a crane-shaped island, a tortoise shaped island, a waterfall composed of stones, wisteria trellis, and the showpiece: the lotus pond shaped like the Chinese character for “heart”. The pond is filled with Nishikigoi koi carp.  Attached to the teahouse building is a japanese dry landscape karesanui garden called Shozansui. By combining large and smaller stones planted on white sand it expresses an ideal world.  This type of garden uses gravel used to express the flow of water.  Normally these gardens are only found within Zen Buhddhist temples, and it is very rare to find one in a private garden such as this.  Besides all this, there is one additional small tea garden.  Takao Komagino  Garden is free to enter and even has a special suikinkutsu hand basin or chozubachi, which accentuates the sound of water.
    takao-komagino-03.jpg
  • Takao Komagino Pond Garden is a public garden supported by the city of Hachioji Tokyo.  Takao Komagino  has a total of three small gardens within its compound.   Its pond garden or chisen kaiyu style garden is modeled after those in Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji, Rokuon-ji and Nijo-jo Ninomaru Garden that are famous for this garden style inspired the design of this pond garden.  Visitors can appreciate views of a crane-shaped island, a tortoise shaped island, a waterfall composed of stones, wisteria trellis, and the showpiece: the lotus pond shaped like the Chinese character for “heart”. The pond is filled with Nishikigoi koi carp.  Attached to the teahouse building is a japanese dry landscape karesanui garden called Shozansui. By combining large and smaller stones planted on white sand it expresses an ideal world.  This type of garden uses gravel used to express the flow of water.  Normally these gardens are only found within Zen Buhddhist temples, and it is very rare to find one in a private garden such as this.  Besides all this, there is one additional small tea garden.  Takao Komagino  Garden is free to enter and even has a special suikinkutsu hand basin or chozubachi, which accentuates the sound of water.
    takao-komagino-01.jpg
  • Zen Garden by the Lotus Pond at Garan, the sacred complex of temple buildings in Koyasan.  The pond is crossed by a red bridge with a small island called Hasu-ike, the pond of lotus.  It is said that the a good-natured female dragon queen, Nagirajni, appeared in the Lotus Pond after a local priest, Monk Jiko of Zuisoin Monastery invited the dragon to the tiny island in the middle of the pond to help bring water during a time of severe drought.
    Hasu-Ike-garden.jpg
  • Takao Komagino Pond Garden is a public garden supported by the city of Hachioji Tokyo.  Takao Komagino  has a total of three small gardens within its compound.   Its pond garden or chisen kaiyu style garden is modeled after those in Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji, Rokuon-ji and Nijo-jo Ninomaru Garden that are famous for this garden style inspired the design of this pond garden.  Visitors can appreciate views of a crane-shaped island, a tortoise shaped island, a waterfall composed of stones, wisteria trellis, and the showpiece: the lotus pond shaped like the Chinese character for “heart”. The pond is filled with Nishikigoi koi carp.  Attached to the teahouse building is a japanese dry landscape karesanui garden called Shozansui. By combining large and smaller stones planted on white sand it expresses an ideal world.  This type of garden uses gravel used to express the flow of water.  Normally these gardens are only found within Zen Buhddhist temples, and it is very rare to find one in a private garden such as this.  Besides all this, there is one additional small tea garden.  Takao Komagino  Garden is free to enter and even has a special suikinkutsu hand basin or chozubachi, which accentuates the sound of water.
    takao-komagino-08.jpg
  • Takao Komagino Pond Garden is a public garden supported by the city of Hachioji Tokyo.  Takao Komagino  has a total of three small gardens within its compound.   Its pond garden or chisen kaiyu style garden is modeled after those in Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji, Rokuon-ji and Nijo-jo Ninomaru Garden that are famous for this garden style inspired the design of this pond garden.  Visitors can appreciate views of a crane-shaped island, a tortoise shaped island, a waterfall composed of stones, wisteria trellis, and the showpiece: the lotus pond shaped like the Chinese character for “heart”. The pond is filled with Nishikigoi koi carp.  Attached to the teahouse building is a japanese dry landscape karesanui garden called Shozansui. By combining large and smaller stones planted on white sand it expresses an ideal world.  This type of garden uses gravel used to express the flow of water.  Normally these gardens are only found within Zen Buhddhist temples, and it is very rare to find one in a private garden such as this.  Besides all this, there is one additional small tea garden.  Takao Komagino  Garden is free to enter and even has a special suikinkutsu hand basin or chozubachi, which accentuates the sound of water.
    takao-komagino-06.jpg
  • Togoshi Park Garden has historical traces from the Hosokawa family of Kumamoto - a lord during the Edo period. The garden curves around an arrangement of valleys, waterfalls and a pond in a tsukiyama style.  The garden retains the elements of a Daimyo garden with trees and seasonal flowers such as plum, cherry and Ginkgo trees as well as Rhododendrons. Togoshi is a beautiful and peaceful spot but is not well known nor visited by anyone but the locals.  The large pond, waterfall, bridges, an artificial mountain and its magnificent entrance gate make it a masterpiece of landscape design particularly since it is now a mere Tokyo borough city park
    togoshi-park-garden-06.jpg
  • Togoshi Park Garden has historical traces from the Hosokawa family of Kumamoto - a lord during the Edo period. The garden curves around an arrangement of valleys, waterfalls and a pond in a tsukiyama style.  The garden retains the elements of a Daimyo garden with trees and seasonal flowers such as plum, cherry and Ginkgo trees as well as Rhododendrons. Togoshi is a beautiful and peaceful spot but is not well known nor visited by anyone but the locals.  The large pond, waterfall, bridges, an artificial mountain and its magnificent entrance gate make it a masterpiece of landscape design particularly since it is now a mere Tokyo borough city park
    togoshi-park-garden-05.jpg
  • Togoshi Park Garden has historical traces from the Hosokawa family of Kumamoto - a lord during the Edo period. The garden curves around an arrangement of valleys, waterfalls and a pond in a tsukiyama style.  The garden retains the elements of a Daimyo garden with trees and seasonal flowers such as plum, cherry and Ginkgo trees as well as Rhododendrons. Togoshi is a beautiful and peaceful spot but is not well known nor visited by anyone but the locals.  The large pond, waterfall, bridges, an artificial mountain and its magnificent entrance gate make it a masterpiece of landscape design particularly since it is now a mere Tokyo borough city park
    togoshi-park-garden-04.jpg
  • Carp or "koi" swimming around their pond at Ritsurin Garden.  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.
    carp-koi-02.jpg
  • Lotus Pond at Garan, the sacred complex of temple buildings with a red bridge and a small island is called Hasu-ike, the pond of lotus.  It is said that the a good-natured female dragon queen, Nagirajni, appeared in the Lotus Pond after a local priest, Monk Jiko of Zuisoin Monastery invited the dragon to the tiny island in the middle of the pond to help bring water during a time of severe drought.
    koya-san-bridge.jpg
  • Togoshi Park Duck Pond - Togoshi Park Japanese garden has historical traces from the Hosokawa family of Kumamoto - a lord during the Edo period. The garden curves around an arrangement of valleys, waterfalls and a pond in a tsukiyama style.  The garden retains the elements of a Daimyo garden with trees and seasonal flowers such as plum, cherry and Ginkgo trees as well as Rhododendrons. Togoshi is a beautiful and peaceful spot but is not well known nor visited by anyone but the locals.  The large pond, waterfall, bridges, an artificial mountain and its magnificent entrance gate make it a masterpiece of landscape design particularly since it is now a mere Tokyo borough city park
    togoshi-park-garden-17.jpg
  • Duck Pond at Showa Kinen Park - a large space surrounded by greenery in the outer suburbs of Tokyo.  A traditional Japanese garden was created in 1997 in a corner of this spacious park.  The strolling garden surrounds a pond, overlooking a tea house.   The delicacy of traditional Japanese landscaping takes account of details as small as a single flower plant or small stone. Kanfu-tei is the tea house built in the Sukiya style in harmony with the pond garden. It was built using mostly cypress special techniques such as roofing with cypress bark and special joints at pillars and beams.
    ducks-showa-kinen-2.jpg
  • Duck Pond at Showa Kinen Park - a large space surrounded by greenery in the outer suburbs of Tokyo.  A traditional Japanese garden was created in 1997 in a corner of this spacious park.  The strolling garden surrounds a pond, overlooking a tea house.   The delicacy of traditional Japanese landscaping takes account of details as small as a single flower plant or small stone. Kanfu-tei is the tea house built in the Sukiya style in harmony with the pond garden. It was built using mostly cypress special techniques such as roofing with cypress bark and special joints at pillars and beams.
    ducks-showa-kinen-3.jpg
  • Tenryuji Sogenchi Pond Garden - Tenryuji Garden has been ranked first among Kyoto's "Five Great Zen Temples". Tenryuji was established in 1339, and like many other temples burnt down several times over its history. Muso Soseki, the temple's founding abbot and famous garden designer, created Tenryuji's landscape garden which, unlike the temple buildings, survived the many fires and is considered one of the oldest of its kind, that is "borrowed landscape" garden, taking in the background scenery of the hills of  Arashiyama as part of the garden's composition. Sogenchi pond and Ishigumi rock clusters in the garden are this pond garden's essential ingredients.
    tenryuji-9-crop.jpg
  • Koi Pond at Kiyosumi Garden Tokyo - Koi ponds are ponds used as part of a landscape pond garden. Classic koi ponds have Nishikigoi Japanese ornamental carps.<br />
The design of a koi pond has a great effect on the well-being of the carp.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-134.jpg
  • Togoshi Park Duck Pond - Togoshi Park Japanese garden has historical traces from the Hosokawa family of Kumamoto - a lord during the Edo period. The garden curves around an arrangement of valleys, waterfalls and a pond in a tsukiyama style.  The garden retains the elements of a Daimyo garden with trees and seasonal flowers such as plum, cherry and Ginkgo trees as well as Rhododendrons. Togoshi is a beautiful and peaceful spot but is not well known nor visited by anyone but the locals.  The large pond, waterfall, bridges, an artificial mountain and its magnificent entrance gate make it a masterpiece of landscape design particularly since it is now a mere Tokyo borough city park
    togoshi-park-garden-16.jpg
  • Togoshi Park Duck Pond - Togoshi Park Japanese garden has historical traces from the Hosokawa family of Kumamoto - a lord during the Edo period. The garden curves around an arrangement of valleys, waterfalls and a pond in a tsukiyama style.  The garden retains the elements of a Daimyo garden with trees and seasonal flowers such as plum, cherry and Ginkgo trees as well as Rhododendrons. Togoshi is a beautiful and peaceful spot but is not well known nor visited by anyone but the locals.  The large pond, waterfall, bridges, an artificial mountain and its magnificent entrance gate make it a masterpiece of landscape design particularly since it is now a mere Tokyo borough city park
    togoshi-park-garden-14.jpg
  • Togoshi Park Duck Pond - Togoshi Park Japanese garden has historical traces from the Hosokawa family of Kumamoto - a lord during the Edo period. The garden curves around an arrangement of valleys, waterfalls and a pond in a tsukiyama style.  The garden retains the elements of a Daimyo garden with trees and seasonal flowers such as plum, cherry and Ginkgo trees as well as Rhododendrons. Togoshi is a beautiful and peaceful spot but is not well known nor visited by anyone but the locals.  The large pond, waterfall, bridges, an artificial mountain and its magnificent entrance gate make it a masterpiece of landscape design particularly since it is now a mere Tokyo borough city park
    togoshi-park-garden-15.jpg
  • Myoho-ji Carp Pond Yokohama -  Myoho-ji is an ancient temple in the Yokohama area, dating back to the 14th century.  Its simple pond koi garden is one of the nicest in the Kanto area.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-231.jpg
  • Myoho-ji Carp Pond Yokohama -  Myoho-ji is an ancient temple in the Yokohama area, dating back to the 14th century.  Its simple pond koi garden is one of the nicest in the Kanto area.
    AMBER-2022-C-61.jpg
  • Myoho-ji Carp Pond Yokohama -  Myoho-ji is an ancient temple in the Yokohama area, dating back to the 14th century.  Its simple pond koi garden is one of the nicest in the Kanto area.
    myohoji-yokohama-5.jpg
  • Myoho-ji Carp Pond Yokohama -  Myoho-ji is an ancient temple in the Yokohama area, dating back to the 14th century.  Its simple pond koi garden is one of the nicest in the Kanto area.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-241.jpg
  • Myoho-ji Carp Pond Yokohama -  Myoho-ji is an ancient temple in the Yokohama area, dating back to the 14th century.  Its simple pond koi garden is one of the nicest in the Kanto area.
    myohoji-yokohama-4.jpg
  • Myoho-ji Carp Pond Yokohama -  Myoho-ji is an ancient temple in the Yokohama area, dating back to the 14th century.  Its simple pond koi garden is one of the nicest in the Kanto area.
    myohoji-yokohama-2.jpg
  • Ukimi-do is a hexagonal gazebo on the water built over Sage-Ike Pond or Heron Pond in Nara Park.  Its reflection on the water is a popular subject for artists and photographers. It is especially beautiful on summer nights, when it is illuminated, in autumn with reflection of maples and spring with sakura blossoms on the pond.
    ukimi-do-nara-1.jpg
  • Dogakuji Pond Garden at Dogakuji Bangai Temple,  The temple's official name is Tomei-zan and it is ranked second out of the 20 Fudasho Bangai - temples not included in the official list of the temples making up the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. The name Dogaku-ji “Child's Learning Temple” relates to the fact that Kobo Daishi studied calligraphy and other academic disciplines as child; praying at the temple was believed to bring academic success. Within the temple grounds there is a sacred spring which is reputed to have sprung forth from the ground when Kobo Daishi prayed for water to wash his ink-slab with. Near the head priest's quarters there is a shoin-style Japanese garden which is believed to have been created in the Muromachi period
    Dogakuji-Bangai-2.jpg
  • Dogakuji Pond Garden at Dogakuji Bangai Temple,  The temple's official name is Tomei-zan and it is ranked second out of the 20 Fudasho Bangai - temples not included in the official list of the temples making up the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. The name Dogaku-ji “Child's Learning Temple” relates to the fact that Kobo Daishi studied calligraphy and other academic disciplines as child; praying at the temple was believed to bring academic success. Within the temple grounds there is a sacred spring which is reputed to have sprung forth from the ground when Kobo Daishi prayed for water to wash his ink-slab with. Near the head priest's quarters there is a shoin-style Japanese garden which is believed to have been created in the Muromachi period
    Dogakuji-Bangai-1.jpg
  • Jizo-ji Temple Koi Pond- Jizo-ji Temple Garden belongs to the Soto Zen sect of Buddhism. There is garden of kaiyu shiki teien style of the early Edo period.  Here, the backdrop and borrowed scenery have been used skillfully. Its unique Y shaped waterfall, is an unusual addition.  There is an stone bridge the crosses over the pond, festooned with iris in season while tiny islands appear to be afloat within the pond.  The garden at Jizo-ji Temple is almost hidden and takes some effort to find it behind the main hall.  Seeking it out is well worth the effort.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-249.jpg
  • Jizo-ji Temple Koi Pond- Jizo-ji Temple Garden belongs to the Soto Zen sect of Buddhism. There is garden of kaiyu shiki teien style of the early Edo period.  Here, the backdrop and borrowed scenery have been used skillfully. Its unique Y shaped waterfall, is an unusual addition.  There is an stone bridge the crosses over the pond, festooned with iris in season while tiny islands appear to be afloat within the pond.  The garden at Jizo-ji Temple is almost hidden and takes some effort to find it behind the main hall.  Seeking it out is well worth the effort.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-248.jpg
  • Johoku Park in Shizuoka has a large Japanese pond garden in one corner of its huge expanse.  Although as Japanese pond gardens go this specimen is rather simple, it serves its purpose as a municipal park garden with modest bridges, pavilion and stones.   In addition to the Japanese garden, there is a large floral clock, a water plaza, and flower and tree gardens. It is also where the municipal library is located.
    jonangu-park-garden-3.jpg
  • Johoku Park in Shizuoka has a large Japanese pond garden in one corner of its huge expanse.  Although as Japanese pond gardens go this specimen is rather simple, it serves its purpose as a municipal park garden with modest bridges, pavilion and stones.   In addition to the Japanese garden, there is a large floral clock, a water plaza, and flower and tree gardens. It is also where the municipal library is located.
    jonangu-park-garden-2.jpg
  • Myoho-ji Carp Pond Yokohama -  Myoho-ji is an ancient temple in the Yokohama area, dating back to the 14th century.  Its simple pond koi garden is one of the nicest in the Kanto area.
    myohoji-yokohama-9.jpg
  • Sogenchi Pond Garden - Tenryuji has been ranked first among Kyoto's "Five Great Zen Temples".  Muso Soseki, the temple's founding abbot and famous garden designer, created Tenryuji's landscape garden which, unlike the temple buildings, survived the many fires and is considered one of the oldest of its kind.  This is a "borrowed landscape" garden, taking in the background scenery of the hills of  Arashiyama as part of the garden's composition. Sogenchi pond and Ishigumi rock clusters in the garden are this pond garden's main ingredients and what makes it so special.
    tenryuji-13-crop.jpg
  • Koi ponds are ponds used as part of a landscape pond garden. Classic koi ponds have Nishikigoi Japanese ornamental carps. The design of the koi pond has a great effect on the well-being of the carp.
    hasedera-garden-13.jpg
  • Konchii-n is a subtemple of Nanzenji. Konchi-in is a pond garden surrounding Benten Ike, the pond dedicated to the Goddess of Fortune on its island. Surrounded by maples the pond garden in especially lovely in autumn. The other garden in front of abbots quarters is a karesansui garden with plantings on the far side of the garden representing a shoreline, the gravel in between a vast ocean. Konchi-in was designed by Kobori Enshu.
    konchi-in-4.jpg
  • Tenryuji Sogenchi Pond Garden - Tenryuji Garden has been ranked first among Kyoto's "Five Great Zen Temples". Tenryuji was established in 1339, and like many other temples burnt down several times over its history. Muso Soseki, the temple's founding abbot and famous garden designer, created Tenryuji's landscape garden which, unlike the temple buildings, survived the many fires and is considered one of the oldest of its kind, that is "borrowed landscape" garden, taking in the background scenery of the hills of  Arashiyama as part of the garden's composition. Sogenchi pond and Ishigumi rock clusters in the garden are this pond garden's essential ingredients.
    tenryuji-9.jpg
  • Shobo-ji Pond Garden - Shobo-ji was established in 754 by a monk called Chii - a disciple of Ganjin, who built Toshidai-ji in Nara.  Like many temples in Kyoto, Shobo-ji was burned during the wars, then reconstructed in 1615. The temple has two interesting zen gardens, particularly the "Beasts and Birds Garden” named after the shape of some of its rocks. The temple grounds are elevated compared to the rest of the valley, which gives a view of the surrounding area wthat incorporates borrowed scenery such as the distant mountains into the overall garden design.  Shobo-ji pays particular attention to flowers; ikebana can be seen on the temple grounds and in the buildings. In addition, the tsukubai water basin is usually decorated with flowers as well.
    shobo-ji-16.jpg
  • Anrakuji Temple Pond Garden - the original site of the temple was 2 km from its present location where Kobo Daishi created a hot spring that was renowned for its healing properties. The temple was moved to its present location, and made ito a roadside temple to provide lodging for pilgrims.  Within its grounds is a two storey pagoda, a beautiful pond garden and a bamboo grove. Anrajkuji is entered through a big, white, Chinese-style gate,  and up the stairs by the gatehouse Anrakuji offers a tsuyado - free lodgings for walking pilgrims.  Anrakuji also has a shukubo of temple lodging at nominal cost.  Anrakuji has a long history of accommodating pilgrims, in part because of its location that is accessible if one were to start at temple 1 early in the morning it would be possible to reach by late afternoon.
    Anrakuji-9.jpg
  • Jizo-ji Temple Koi Pond- Jizo-ji Temple Garden belongs to the Soto Zen sect of Buddhism. There is garden of kaiyu shiki teien style of the early Edo period.  Here, the backdrop and borrowed scenery have been used skillfully. Its unique Y shaped waterfall, is an unusual addition.  There is an stone bridge the crosses over the pond, festooned with iris in season while tiny islands appear to be afloat within the pond.  The garden at Jizo-ji Temple is almost hidden and takes some effort to find it behind the main hall.  Seeking it out is well worth the effort.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-16.jpg
  • Jizo-ji Temple Pond Garden - Jizo-ji Temple belongs to the Soto Zen sect of Buddhism. There is garden of kaiyu shiki teien style of the early Edo period.  Here, the backdrop and borrowed scenery have been used skillfully. Its unique Y shaped waterfall, is an unusual addition.  There is an stone bridge the crosses over the pond, festooned with iris in season while tiny islands appear to be afloat within the pond.  The garden at Jizo-ji Temple is almost hidden and takes some effort to find it behind the main hall.  Seeking it out is well worth the effort.
    jizoji-09.jpg
  • Joshinji Pond Garden  - In addition to its magnificent karesansui zen garden, rare in Tokyo, there is also a small pond garen on the other side of the Hondo Hall.  Joshinji Temple, also known as Kuhonbutsu is a large Jodo sect Buddhist temple in Jiyugaoka Tokyo.  The temple was established in 1678 and still maintains its original buildings. The grounds contain some of Tokyo’s oldest trees a few more than 700 years old.  The Hondo main hall, was built in 1759 and has a striking zen garden next to the hall, one of the very few dry karesansui gardens in Tokyo.  Even so, Joshinji Kuhon Butsu is not listed as a tourist attraction and maintains its serenity as a working Jodo Buddhist temple without charing admissions, fees nor restrictions on entering.
    joshinji-garden-6.jpg
  • Kyu Yasuda Pond Garden - Kyu Yasuda Teien was once the grounds of a samurai and designed in 1688 by Honjo Inabanokami Munesuke.   The strolling garden was taken over and remodeled in 1894 by Zenjiro Yasuda. The Great Kanto Earthquake and also WWII seriously damaged the garden. It was renovated in 1927 after the earthquake and again in 1971.  It was given to the city of Tokyo according to Yasuda’s dying wishes. Kyu Yasuda Teien has been open to the public ever since as a public park. The pond garden retains the appearance described in literature of the Meiji period and is one of the typical gardens of this period.
    kyu-yasuda-garden-30.jpg
  • Kyu Yasuda Pond Garden - Kyu Yasuda Teien was once the grounds of a samurai and designed in 1688 by Honjo Inabanokami Munesuke.   The strolling garden was taken over and remodeled in 1894 by Zenjiro Yasuda. The Great Kanto Earthquake and also WWII seriously damaged the garden. It was renovated in 1927 after the earthquake and again in 1971.  It was given to the city of Tokyo according to Yasuda’s dying wishes. Kyu Yasuda Teien has been open to the public ever since as a public park. The pond garden retains the appearance described in literature of the Meiji period and is one of the typical gardens of this period.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-86.jpg
  • Samukawa Shrine Pond Garden - Kantakeyama is the formal offical name of the Japanese garden at Samukawa Shrine near Chigasaki, Kanagawa-ken.  The pond garden's centerpiece is a multi tiered waterfall cascade.  The shrine itself is ancient and has the interesting characteristic of saying prayers to protect one from evil, one of the few Shinto shrines in Japan to actually have rituals to perform this, the unique ceremony is called Happoyoke.
    samukawa-shrine-garden-24.jpg
  • Samukawa Shrine Pond Garden - Kantakeyama is the formal offical name of the Japanese garden at Samukawa Shrine near Chigasaki, Kanagawa-ken.  The pond garden's centerpiece is a multi tiered waterfall cascade.  The shrine itself is ancient and has the interesting characteristic of saying prayers to protect one from evil, one of the few Shinto shrines in Japan to actually have rituals to perform this, the unique ceremony is called Happoyoke.
    samukawa-shrine-garden-25.jpg
  • Samukawa Shrine Pond Garden - Kantakeyama is the formal offical name of the Japanese garden at Samukawa Shrine near Chigasaki, Kanagawa-ken.  The pond garden's centerpiece is a multi tiered waterfall cascade.  The shrine itself is ancient and has the interesting characteristic of saying prayers to protect one from evil, one of the few Shinto shrines in Japan to actually have rituals to perform this, the unique ceremony is called Happoyoke.
    samukawa-shrine-garden-20.jpg
  • Ohori Pond Garden - Fukuoka’s Ohori Japanese strolling garden was built in 1979 to mark the park’s 50th anniversary. The garden is made up of hills, trees groves and ponds. It was constructed with traditional gardening techniques although it is relatively new. A winding stream, a dry Zen garden, and a teahouse along with its adjacent garden are laid out around the highlights of the venue.  Ohori Garden is one of the finest examples of modern Japanese gardening to date.
    ohori-garden-21.jpg
  • Turtle Island at Ohori Pond Garden - Fukuoka’s Ohori Japanese strolling garden was built in 1979 to mark the park’s 50th anniversary. The garden is made up of hills, trees groves and ponds. It was constructed with traditional gardening techniques although it is relatively new. A winding stream, a dry Zen garden, and a teahouse along with its adjacent garden are laid out around the highlights of the venue.  Ohori Garden is one of the finest examples of modern Japanese gardening to date.
    ohori-garden-23.jpg
  • Ohori Pond Garden - Fukuoka’s Ohori Japanese strolling garden was built in 1979 to mark the park’s 50th anniversary. The garden is made up of hills, trees groves and ponds. It was constructed with traditional gardening techniques although it is relatively new. A winding stream, a dry Zen garden, and a teahouse along with its adjacent garden are laid out around the highlights of the venue.  Ohori Garden is one of the finest examples of modern Japanese gardening to date.
    ohori-garden-20.jpg
  • Ohori Pond Garden - Fukuoka’s Ohori Japanese strolling garden was built in 1979 to mark the park’s 50th anniversary. The garden is made up of hills, trees groves and ponds. It was constructed with traditional gardening techniques although it is relatively new. A winding stream, a dry Zen garden, and a teahouse along with its adjacent garden are laid out around the highlights of the venue.  Ohori Garden is one of the finest examples of modern Japanese gardening to date.
    ohori-garden-14.jpg
  • Turtle Island at Ohori Pond Garden - Fukuoka’s Ohori Japanese strolling garden was built in 1979 to mark the park’s 50th anniversary. The garden is made up of hills, trees groves and ponds. It was constructed with traditional gardening techniques although it is relatively new. A winding stream, a dry Zen garden, and a teahouse along with its adjacent garden are laid out around the highlights of the venue.  Ohori Garden is one of the finest examples of modern Japanese gardening to date.
    ohori-garden-11.jpg
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