In my time in Japan, I have been to a lot of places. Of those places, the Japanese gardens I’ve seen have always been a wonderful time. Sometimes, these gardens are part of a larger attraction – like a castle – and other times they are standalone. In either case, I am regularly amazed by the variety of style and beauty that gardens can have. A garden I visit a lot is the Orchid Garden. Despite its name, a lot of the flowers on display aren’t even orchids. In a central greenhouse, they have the seasonal orchids or a different special display (such as roses for Valentine’s day). Then, in the outdoor portion, there’s a decent-sized pond and a small walk-around garden with a variety of different ornamentations and beautiful flowers (none of which are orchids). It’s located next to a main thoroughfare, but the walls isolate the garden from the outside world. I’ve enjoyed doing this ten-minute walkabout several times, usually about once a year. The focus of the garden seems to be more about displaying beauty than about the theme of orchids. Every visit brought something new, and I always look forward to going there again.

My favorite garden is probably the Tokugawa Garden, which is also attached to the Tokugawa Art Museum. While the orchid garden is an example of a flower-centric garden, the Tokugawa Garden is an example of a more traditionally styled Japanese garden. It’s a decently large space, with a large pond in the center, and carefully arranged waterfalls and walking paths that wind through trees. The entire area feels peaceful and calm no matter the time of year, and I have sometimes gone there to sit on the seat near the waterfall and close my eyes. I’ve always enjoyed the sound of small waterfalls and streams, and this place holds many special memories for me. Both the Tokugawa and Orchid Gardens share the same strolling, peaceful theme despite the difference in displays. I’ve found most gardens I’ve visited to be restful, be they in castles or by themselves, and visiting them has often helped me find some peace when life felt hectic or overwhelming. In a world where stress and worry is common and frequent, it’s important to find someplace or something that can help bring peace and centeredness, even if just for a moment. For me, it’s gardens. What is it for you?