For an authentic Japanese experience visit one of Japan's great lakes and gardens.
Only then do you appreciate the essence of the Japanese way of life. At least that's the feeling you have afterwards, for the Japanese people. Actually, visiting both a lake and a garden is an important authentic first step. Another important step of course is enjoying local Japanese street food cuisine.
You can't visit a place on holiday and not eat the local food, that would be odd, wouldn't it? The same sentiment thus with the lakes and Japan's most beautiful gardens.
When planning for a holiday to Japan, focus on at least one lake and garden in your day-to-day itinerary. Although every experience remains consistent with each garden, the emotional response differs.
The more gardens you visit then what a better and more rounded holiday you will have, take note. Below, our travel guide has 5 of the most beautiful gardens we've enjoyed with our time in Japan. Of course, there are so many other gardens. You are spoilt for choice.
But which are the most famous Japanese gardens of them all?
That's difficult to say, they're all beautiful and mindful for your soul. The essence and tradition you dreamt of for Japan exhibits throughout every garden. It's troubling to decide. At least two we know of fall into being most famous: Katsura Imperial Villa and Kenrokuen Garden. Keep reading to discover why.
The gardens have thrived for centuries, testament to care and attention, and dedication. Each garden is a one-off design to keep and promote a natural setting that's enjoyable. The gardens are perfect. How many hours we lost in them? We cannot recount but a lot.
Strolling around any garden you soon realize their purpose. Many of them is for mindful relaxation. The gardens melt away everyday stress and worries, those who live in the city love them. Which explains why they're so popular. Why we visited so many and why you'd want to, to find your inner peace and time for reflection:
The gardens are a remarkable destination for so many different people. If you care for centuries old Japanese traditions, you'll love the gardens.
The gardens are approachable year-round. It's safe to say you'll soak up the ambiance no matter which month you're visiting Japan:
It's splendid to admire and fall in love with the gardens. Each was a private paradise or tranquil escape for the rich and powerful, now long gone. Read on to discover the best gardens of Japan whilst they still remain traditional.
Each garden covers a large area of land. Even though busy with tourists all times of the year you can find seclusion. There are secret spaces offering you the time to chill out. Having found a seating place, you can reflect on the beauty, your time in Japan and much more.
Even though Tokyo City is Japan's capital today, we've a great love for Kyoto City. The city was the ancient capital of Japan during the Heian period, for over 1000 years. Our love for this city stems from the many temples and historic significance seen today.
It's one city that hasn't lost the "old Japan charm" in our opinion. The authenticity is so real you feel, the longer you're in the city to explore.
The garden is very tranquil, the paths laid out for you lead you to wonderous landscapes it's very surreal. You stop and gawp at every little detail which is why you spend more time than planned, in the garden. It's one of the better gardens in Kyoto for strolling, taking your time to walk around. The main features of the garden are:
You can get to the garden from the Kyoto Bus Station.
You need to take either bus number 5 or 17 and get off at the Ginkakuji stop. From the stop it's no more than a 10-minute walk to the garden entrance. The entrance fee is ¥500 per person. Give yourself at least 2 hours to walk your way around the garden in full. If you want to avoid the crowds, go in late afternoon.
Can I enter the Ginkakuji Garden pavilion? No. Tourists and members of the public are not permitted inside. Don't rush your photo session at the pavilion. Instead, take your time to find the best angles and unmissable shots.
An Island destination, Takamatsu City belongs on the northern region of Shikoku Island. The city makes for an ideal day trip from Osaka, on the mainland. We found no need for a ferry service either, using a direct train service between Osaka, Kobe and Akashi.
One of the city's most popular attractions is Ritsurin Park, where the garden is also found. The sizable garden is unmistakable, created for a place for rest and relaxation. Strolling around the hilly landscape (steep in some places) you enjoy great beauty.
But why is it more beautiful than other gardens in this amazing port city? The garden is one of the most scenic in Japan, we found to no surprise:
The city felt young and vibrant to us on a day drip.
Your choice, of course, to dilly dally your way to the city, or not. It's a touch over a 2-hour train journey including several connections from Osaka. Setting off early, we arrived in Takamatsu before mid-morning. This left us the whole day to enjoy the garden, a relaxing boat trip, and later lunch and city tour.
The entrance fee to Ritsurin Garden is ¥400 (US$3) per person.
Once a private dwelling and garden, now open to the public. The impression we had on our visit the castle was the priority, and the garden a second consideration. That's a real shame because the garden is jaw dropping gorgeous. Yet, we missed out on the castle visit due to time constraints.
We felt unfortunate, because we are never to know which is best and better: the garden or castle. The views of the castle from the garden are not only admirable, but boastful in grandeur. Of course, the castle is prominent from all directions.
Would the garden be different were it not for the castle? No. Both go hand in hand that's for certain, but the garden stands its own ground, nonetheless. That's because it's one of three great gardens of Japan.
The best time for visiting Okayama Castle and Garden is in spring and autumn. The same as South Korea actually. The blossoms can appear as early as March and flower until May. If you're unable to travel in spring, don't fret. Plan on traveling in the autumn (September through to November) instead.
Aside from the blossoms, or the autumn collage of brown hues you come for, the garden is a delight for other reasons:
We can't foresee there being any reason for not visiting. There are cities close by that are within an accessible distance, for example Hiroshima and Osaka are closest. You can even visit this stunning landmark from Kyoto, if you must.
Both Kyoto and Osaka are favorites of ours and are serious contenders for a 3D2N city break.
Read Also: Best Places to Visit in South Korea for May
There are many other gardens worth visiting in Kyoto City. So far, we have visited two: Ginkakuji Garden and Katsura Imperial Villa. This gorgeous garden and Imperial Villa are both located on the banks of the Katsura River.
To enjoy the garden, you must have a reservation, so make one in advance, before arriving to Japan. The reservation is free, but not guaranteed for your month and date. Once you do have your reservation, you get a guided group tour.
The guided tour is the only way of experiencing this garden, there is no other way (that we know of). The tour is very structured but thorough as you learn a lot about history and those responsible for the original garden. A little disappointing it turns out; there are a few buildings you're not permitted to enter.
The garden is beautifully maintained, with paved paths showing you the route to so many features. The 17 acres site is vast. That's a good thing in our opinion because the garden and villa are both considered to be exemplary in traditional Japanese architecture and garden design.
Securing your time slot for the guided tour can be problematic. Nigh impossible it feels, to align with your Kyoto holiday or day trip. Is it worth keep trying with the reservation? Of course, the sooner the better. Apply for the reservation as far in advance as you can, it's free remember.
It's impractical to walk to the garden from the bus station, you must choose a mode of transport:
We bought a day pass which is cheaper and covers the bus and subway across the whole city. You can buy tickets online or there's a booth, how you want. Less than 30 minutes later we were ready to pay the ¥1000 entrance fee (per person).
Japan is that easy, for getting around. It doesn't take long to endear yourself to the simplicity of any city in Japan for its transport networks.
Reservation: Make your own Reservation
We felt Katsura Imperial Villa in Kyoto was regal. It was, until we discovered the beaten path to Kenrokuen Garden. And then it all changed at that point.
Getting to Kanazawa is best from either Kyoto City or Tokyo City, due to the distances involved. Kanazawa City's location is remote. Holidaying in Tokyo from that perspective, that's what you think anyway.
Is the great distance off putting for you? It shouldn't be. It wasn't for us, because Kanazawa City has a few attractions worth seeing, other than the legendary Kenrokuen Garden.
The train journey from Tokyo City to Kanazawa City lasts over 2 hours long and hassle free, because you're on the bullet train. The great distance is covered in no time and you're arriving before you realize it. Trains in Japan, and South Korea, are the most popular way of getting around in comfort.
Only be sure to reserve your seats in advance, one or two days is enough. If you fail to reserve seats (there are none left) then use the normal trains. On leaving the Kanazawa Station, jump on the shuttle bus (route 6) which leaves for the garden every 15, or 20 minutes.
Decide on one of two entrances and enquire the driver where the nearest stop is, for:
The first entrance is the best, that's the one we went with at least. The taxis in Japan aren't inexpensive by the way their use does add up. We paid so little money for the shuttle bus so that's your best option to getting to the garden.
As beautiful the garden may be, you can't fail to stop to admire the peaks of Hakusan National Park. Although a Japanese garden, there are noticeable Chinese characteristics:
The open views you certain have, for the aforementioned peaks see off in the distance. Strolling around this garden, the serenity is a blessing. There's so much better a feeling with this garden than the others we've visited. You'll feel that too, we're certain of it.
You've to be mindful of your day trip to the city and its famous garden. So easy can you lose hours in this garden, make a mental note of what time you do have for:
The centuries old garden is gorgeous in all weather and seasons, as you'd expect. There are a few hills. We decided to climb one of the small hills and got outstanding views over the ponds and lakes. Resting there we were seated for some 10 minutes for ultimate peacefulness.
The unwavering desire to visit Japanese gardens is overpowering. The beauty of the manicured landscape for sure but fine architecture and history. It's an interesting insight into the complicate, intricate life of Japan's noble elite. Each garden is unique.
A direct creation of the imagination of those who ruled at the time, upholding tradition.
We would say this. Of our time in Japan, a greater part of our understanding of Japanese culture has come from the gardens. The more prominent and important the garden, the more essential for you to visit. Every garden is a masterpiece of art with detail easy to miss for the unwary.
When strolling through the gardens do take your time to be nosey. Look around more closely and linger for photos, because the crowds hamper your efforts.
To conclude, it's fair to say visiting any garden in any of Japan's city's is amazing no matter what season. You can visit your favorite garden in the summer and be content. Returning in winter yet, there is quite a different sensation.
The gardens are tactile and responsive. Depending on the sunlight (or moonlight), your emotions differ to an extreme degree.
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