This is my go-to garden for soul-restoring serenity. Kiyosumi Teien Garden doesn’t put on spectacular flower displays, but a walk around the greenery-cloaked lake dishes up perfect Japanese vistas at every turn. Plus, it’s never crowded! Even during the busiest (and hottest) seasons, you feel like you can take your time and breathe.
This garden is the hands-down winner when it comes to steppingstones.
As we wend our way around the lake, koi swim up to check us out, and there’s a new view around every bend.
Exploring the paths that meander through the garden, I can’t help but marvel at the years of pruning…
…the delightful nooks…
…and the many carved stone water basins.
This garden is welcoming even in winter, when the plums and camellias burst open in February
It’s got a delightful surprise of an iris garden in May…
…and while fall doesn’t bring an overwhelming leaf extravaganza, the trees that turn look all the more spectacular against a background of green.
I especially love to stroll around this garden late in the day, when the harmony between the pines and the leafy trees is at its best.
Jonelle Patrick writes about Japan 