Japanese gardens

☼ Strolling through Japanese gardens invites you to slow your pace and leave the hustle and bustle, often a part of everyday life, at the entry way. Feelings of stress begin to fade as you take in the serene, subtle beauty of weeping willow canopies gently dancing in the rippling waves of the water. Subtly hued green, yellow and blue conifers and Japanese maples slowly reveal themselves layer upon layer as you amble on. Sauntering over bridges arching across the streams you discover carved stone lanterns and bamboo fountains tucked between lush greenery. Hidden waterfalls cascade and softly flow over boulder edges until the water reaches its resting point at the edge of the calm, mirrored surface of the lake. You come across the shoin-zukuri style tea house poised at the water’s edge which beckons you to pause, enjoy tea and seek tranquility. Feels like you’re worlds away from the hectic pace, chaos and stress-inducing environments often present in the city where the Japanese garden actually resides.