Hayashi Fumiko was a famous author who lived in Tokyo in the mid-20th century. Her and her husband Ryokubin, a painter, built this beautiful house in the Ochiai area in northwest Shinjuku surrounded by a small but lovely traditional Japanese garden. Their house was actually two buildings due to building restrictions around the war time,…
Tag: garden
Kyu Asakura House
Uppity Daikanyama is known more to be the home of the modern rich and famous, but 100 years ago, it was also home to Asakura Torajiro, a politician and businessman of Tokyo. The large two-story house sits in the middle of a beautiful Japanese garden, all of which is hidden behind a very modern shopping…
Engaku-ji
Though not exactly a hidden gem in the popular tourist destination of Kamakura, this major Zen Buddhist temple is not as crowded as Kōtoku-in, home of the Giant Buddha. This is partly due to the fact that Engaku-ji is located just outside Kita-Kamakura station, one stop from the more popular Kamakura station. Still, Engaku-ji is…
Kiyosumi Garden
Perhaps one of the most under-rated Japanese traditional gardens in Tokyo, Kiyosumi Garden is a beauty of a park in Eastern Tokyo. Originally the property of an Edo period merchant family, it became a public park in 1932. Kiyosumi gardens best feature are its plentiful landscape rocks, highly valued in Japanese landscaping. Many of these…
Tanpopo (Dandelion)
What fills children with glee and gardeners with irritation but is a beloved symbol of Spring in Japan? Behold the humble dandelion たんぽぽ, regarded as an invasive weed in most countries of the world but loved for it’s cuteness in Japan, where they are not only enjoyed, but new species are cultivated for the pleasure…
靖国園 Yasukuni Garden
Many visitors to Japan might choose to skip Yasukuni Shrine as a destination due to its controversial status in the international community. And that would be a shame because Yasukuni is one of the most beautiful places for 花見 cherry blossom viewing in the Spring. Those who do a little exploring might find this hidden gem:…
鯉 Koi
These ornamental colored fish are a staple in Japanese gardens. A symbol of love and friendship (koi is a homophone for “love” in Japanese), these beloved fish are oooh’d and aaah’d over as they swim through serene garden ponds. They are also a symbol used on Children’s Day (May 5th). This photo, taken at Heirinji,…
365 JAPAN 