Visit the beautiful gardens of Japan, with styles ranging from the minimalist monastery gardens of Kyoto to the stroll gardens and parks that provide an oasis of calm in bustling cities.
Japan is a gardener's paradise in any season. It is breathtakingly lovely in spring when thousands of cherry trees (or sakura ) blossom in parks and gardens. It is simply gorgeous in summer and again in autumn when maples (acer sp. ) and enthianthus light up hillsides and gardens.
Japanese Garden Style
Japanese garden style is a diverse and fascinating subject. See our feature complete with a listing of terms
Spring is Sakura Season
Spring is a special time in any climate.
After months of cold, dry weather Japan celebrates the coming of spring with the emergence of one of nature's most transient beauties - cherry blossom. The season of the 'sakura ' is fleeting and magical.
The Japanese revere their cherry trees and television marks the progression of the season as the blossom opens further north. Businessmen, smartly suited, congregate to gaze at the blossom in the evening. On weekends parks are full of sakura watchers and it can be hard to get close to the trees for the photographers.
Special barricades protect the vulnerable root zone of especially old and loved trees from the trampling of thousands of feet and elaborate frames support the heavy branches of ancient trees.
Japanese gardens are alight with the brilliant colours of maples in autumn
The entrance to the Imperial Palace East Gardens, Tokyo
Tokyo
A huge and crowded city, Tokyo has some wonderful green spaces. Take time to explore them, especially on weekdays when they are quiet and relatively empty.
Cherry blossom - Rikugien Gardens, Tokyo
Konchi-in, Kyoto
Kyoto
Kyoto is famous for its temples and their lovely gardens. Considered by many to be Japan's cultural centre it is a must for any garden enthusiast.
If you can't get there, visit Konchi-in Temple in Kyoto with us.
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