Add a review about the garden Happo-en

Tokyo is famous for its wonderful gardens, which are sprinkled with sakura flowers in the spring, and in the winter remind ancient Japanese engravings. But among others stands a park called Happo-en, or in Russian "Garden of eight landscapes." The name is not accidental: firstly, the garden is really beautiful from any angle, and secondly, in the Japanese tradition the number eight symbolizes happiness. Everyone who enters this cozy corner of the capital of Japan in the midst of a busy day in the capital, will feel calm and an inexpressible sense of happiness.

The history of the Happo-en Garden began at the same time as the history of Tokyo itself, which was then called Edo, but was it is about 400 years ago . During the reign of the famous shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa, one of his courtiers bought a piece of land here and, as was customary, surrounded him with a wonderful garden . During his long history, the Happo-en changed many owners and each of them left his mark here . The appearance of the garden that we can observe today was formed at the beginning of the 20th century and is connected with the name of the entrepreneur Hisashi Hara . Actually, it belongs to him the idea of ​​the name of the garden Happo-en .

This wonderful park is distinguished by the fact that here There is no symmetry common to European garden and park ensembles. Mr. Khara has repeatedly said that he is trying not to create a garden, but to convey the beauty and greatness of the wild nature.

It is interesting that this small piece of pristine nature and pacification is in one of the busiest and noisiest districts of the city - Sirokanedai, and is surrounded on all sides by giants of glass and concrete. Here the hills are overgrown with trees and bushes, in a beautiful picturesque pond the imperial carps swim, whose scales shine in the sun. There is even a waterfall lurking in thickets of dense greenery.

The history of the Happo-en Garden began at the same time as the history of Tokyo itself, which was then called Edo, and it was about 400 years ago.

Garden Happo-en is beautiful at any time proud - this is a real illustration of the famous saying that "nature does not have bad weather." In spring, in one of the most romantic and beautiful periods of cherry blossom, its paths are literally strewn with flowers, let alone the crowns of trees. In the summer, the azalea ruled here, in autumn, when nature slowly falls asleep, maples blaze brightly in bright colors, and in winter, when the earth puts on a white outfit, the trees and bushes of the park are pricked with snow.

In addition to what was created by nature, there is also man-made, very remarkable objects. Ancient arbors, bridges, grottoes, cozy paths and secluded places. Attracting the eye and amazing dwarf trees planted all over the place. There is also a tea house, stone lanterns, and even a real pagoda. Some of these objects were specially brought from all over the country.

For example, one of the park lanterns was carved by a samurai master more than 800 years ago. The warrior belonged to the clan of Tyra, who fought with another influential clan - Minamoto. After the defeat of a kind, the samurai took tonsure and became a stone carver.

Other inhabitants of the park, namely bonsai trees, also have a very respectable age - some of them older than 500 years. It is difficult to imagine how much they have seen in their lives for winters and springs. And still every spring they blossom on them, and in the summer fruits are poured. Of course, such a beautiful garden - a place favorite for many Tokyo residents to relax. However, in some incomprehensible way, it's always quiet and peaceful, you can relax with your body and, most importantly, with your soul.

Townspeople often hold wedding ceremonies here, and there are two restaurants, Japanese and French, at the service of hungry visitors. You can go to Happo-En and have coffee, admiring the beautiful scenery or join the traditional tea ceremony in the tea house

Happo-en Garden

Address: 1-1-1 Shirokanedai, Mina To-Ku, Tokyo. How to get there: by metro to Shirokanedai station by the branches of Mita Line or Nanboku Line. On JR trains to Meguro, Gotanda, Shinagawa stations, then about 5 minutes by taxi.