Wednesday 11 October 2017

Postcards from Japan : Zen gardens


During my trip to Japan earlier in April this year, I had the chance to visit a couple of zen gardens. Zen gardens are supposed to be places where one can meditate about the true meaning of life. These gardens usually have rocks, trees, water bodies and graveled pathways as landscape elements. Entering a zen garden is like getting transported to a different place through a portal, because once you are inside, you do not feel like you are in a city. It feels more like being in a quite, serene place, where you can sit around peacefully for hours. Capturing the essence of a place through photographs is not ever possible, but here are a few pictures anyway.


This is the Kyu-Yasuda garden


A walk amidst trees and bushes is so calming


Turtles and koi abound most zen garden ponds


Here is a koi swimming in the pond


A couple of turtles posing on the rock


And here is one of them swimming in the pond


This is the Yokoamicho park right next to the Kyu Yasuda garden.
The rows of trees as seen above is beautiful


There is a pond in the Yokoamicho park, and there are ducks in it too


Add to it, some cherry blossoms (not seen in the picture) and roses, and I was absolutely in love with zen gardens


Photographs can only capture visuals, but the feel of a place can only be experienced once you visit yourself. Japan is a beautiful place and if you need excuses to visit, here are 10 reasons why you must do so. I will be back with more postcards from my travels soon. Till then, have a great day!

1 comment: