Japan Series - The People's Gardens

It is quite common to see miniature front gardens in Japan that are tendered to and cared for by their owners.  As an art form, they beat the UK front lawns hands down.

Japan Series - Gardens

In Kyoto alone, there must be hundreds of gardens.  I never tire of them: each one is different, each one is unique. 

Heian Gardens, Kyoto - a 33,000 sq m stroll style landscape garden

Heian Gardens, Kyoto

Garden at the Imperial Palace, Kyoto

Imperial Palace, Kyoto

Garden at Nijo Castle, Kyoto

Nijo Castle, Kyoto

Garden at Ninna-ji, Kyoto

Garden at the ryokan, Nara

Zen garden at Komyozenji Temple, Dazaifu

Zen garden at Komyozenji Temple, Dazaifu

Japan Series - Korakuen Gardens

Officially one of the three great gardens in Japan, the Korakuen is a vast sweep of lawns and ponds, crisscrossed with wide paths and bridges; at every turn, the eyes are feasted with changing vistas: the occasional tea house, man made hills, waterfalls, small shrines, cherry blossom groves, paddy fields, a guest house, with Okayama Castle as the backdrop.  On a bright clear winter morning, the tranquillity and serenity of the place was liberating.