Local Tourism: Hakone Gardens
Yes, it has been a LONG time since I've done any local tourism. But I'm back (baby)!
Today I went to the Hakone Gardens. These were built starting around 1916 by a wealthy American family who had gone abroad, fallen in love with Japanese gardens & vowed to have their own, in their California property. They hired Japanese architects & landscape designers and voila! A small slice of beauty was formed in the Saratoga hills.
The gardens are quite pleasant, with meandering paths & a koi pond loaded with fish & turtles. It would have been lovely to see the wisteria in bloom or experience a tea ceremony. Perhaps another time. Entry: $5/adult. Hours: 11-5 weekends, 10-5 weekdays. My friends & I took a picnic lunch into the bamboo grove next to the entryway.
View from the koi pond up the hillside
These reminded me of lanterns but I'm just guessing. There were 2 of them flanking the front gate.
Bridge over the koi pond
Blossom out of nowhere
Real turtles under an egret statue
Wisteria grove
Lizard
Bamboo grove
Zen garden
Koi and turtle
Entry (now that the bridal party had gone away and I could photograph it)
Another view of the building above the koi pond
Cultural exchange hall, likely doubling as an event facility
Today I went to the Hakone Gardens. These were built starting around 1916 by a wealthy American family who had gone abroad, fallen in love with Japanese gardens & vowed to have their own, in their California property. They hired Japanese architects & landscape designers and voila! A small slice of beauty was formed in the Saratoga hills.
The gardens are quite pleasant, with meandering paths & a koi pond loaded with fish & turtles. It would have been lovely to see the wisteria in bloom or experience a tea ceremony. Perhaps another time. Entry: $5/adult. Hours: 11-5 weekends, 10-5 weekdays. My friends & I took a picnic lunch into the bamboo grove next to the entryway.
View from the koi pond up the hillside
These reminded me of lanterns but I'm just guessing. There were 2 of them flanking the front gate.
Bridge over the koi pond
Blossom out of nowhere
Real turtles under an egret statue
Wisteria grove
Lizard
Bamboo grove
Zen garden
Koi and turtle
Entry (now that the bridal party had gone away and I could photograph it)
Another view of the building above the koi pond
Cultural exchange hall, likely doubling as an event facility