Sankeien Garden

Pretty views!

I've been wanting to visit Sankeien Garden for awhile - it's a Japanese garden in the southern part of Yokohama.  Without a car it's not the fastest place to get to, but from Sakuragicho Station (one stop from Yokohama Station) you can take the #8 bus to Sakuramichi Bus Stop, and it's only a four minute walk to the main entrance.  This route takes about 35 minutes on the bus (and it may be crowded meaning you have to stand the entire time) or you can save yourself about 15 minutes and take a taxi (you know which option I'd pick, but I'm with friends, so we're on the bus).

Can you see the pagoda peeking out?

This strolling garden costs a little more to visit (about $5) than others in the Tokyo area, but I think it's worth it.  Created by Sankei Hara, a successful Yokohama businessman who built his fortune through his silk business, the construction began around 1902 and the outer garden has been open to the public since 1906.  In 1914 the three story pagoda was moved from Kyoto to its current location on the premises.  Several other older buildings, such as tea houses and a feudal lord's residence, have also been placed in the park as exhibitions.  Most of them forbid you from entering, but because they either don't have exterior walls (or they've been removed), you can still see what's inside due to the open floor plans and minimalist aesthetic.

Former Yanohara Family House - one of the few buildings you can walk around inside.

There's a recommended path to follow, which ensures you don't miss anything.  I'm excited to see some of the lotus flowers blooming, though I'm surprised at how tall the blooms are.  Steve reminds me they were this high in Cambodia, too. 

The plants are four-five feet high.

This is what my backyard looks like...almost.

Many iris and hydrangea are blooming while we're there...except I don't take any pictures of the irises!  I must be feeling nostalgic for home, because we have hydrangea around our house.

Close up

As you wander past the main pond you enter the inner garden, where different historical structures surround a small pool of water.  

I wouldn't mind looking at this view every day.  Very soothing!

The carving on and around these doors is beautiful.  This is from the Juto Oido of Old Tenzuiji, built around 1591 and moved here in 1905.  Originally it contained a juto, or stone monument, to wish for the health and long life of the shogun's mother.  I don't know if the stone is still there - this is one of the few facilities we can't peer inside.

A different view of the bridge (also seen in the top picture). 
There's never a bad angle in a Japanese park!

Another requirement in
Japanese gardens - bubbling
water sounds.  Check!

The little waterfall leads down to form a small stream, which has been designed to run underneath the Choshukaku building.  Built in 1623, it's considered to have a unique architectural design, unlike any other in Japan.  It's believed to be from the premises of Nijojo Castle in Kyoto, and was transported to this spot in 1922.

I'm not sure what makes it unique - the water feature?  The second floor balcony?  No more information is given.

Located nearby is a walking trail, but it's
only open at certain times of the year.

Spotlight on the path - it's hard to resist sneaking up!

...and a small (or should I say tall?)
bamboo grove, also like Kyoto!

There's some mossy areas,
reminding me of the temples in Kyoto...

Inside the garden is a small cafe, so we take a break to rest our feet and feed our stomachs.  It's traditional Japanese food, so I pick my normal set of tempura with hot udon. 

My typical selection

We finish up our explorations by meandering back down to the (large) Main Pond and it's branches. 

Fish, ducks, and turtles are here, but
I don't catch any pictures of them.

Just makes you want to sit and say, "ohmmmm."

"The long and winding road..."

 


I see one interesting plant on my way out - none of us have any idea what it is!  The tops of the plant look like they've been whitewashed, but I think it's something natural.  It only occurs on the leaves by the blooms (pistils?). 

This setting almost feels like an English cottage and it's backyard.