A “design garden” with 2000 varieties of trees

Manabe Garden is designed using several thousand varieties of plants from around the world. They import and sell the trees. The sapling farm at Manabe Garden has been in operation for over 60 years, and serves as a showroom to see how the plants actually grow. The garden is over 24,000 ”tsubo” (79,338 ㎡) and has a Japanese Garden, European Garden, and Landscape Garden, and is beautifully laid out by theme. There is also a cafeteria where wild birds and Ezo squirrels can be enjoyed, and a garden center where you can buy rare species of plants. They have many varieties including coniferous trees, hardwood trees, flowering trees, etc, and many new breeds.

Moor Springs and Japanese Garden

When you walk through the gate surrounded by trees, the first thing you come to is a Japanese garden. In the center there is a pond surrounded by trees. ”While following the rule of a Japanese garden, Acacia and fir trees which are typical of Hokkaido are also included.” This adds an European touch to the Japanese garden. Water from the Moor Spring is drawn for the pond. ”Moor Spring is rich in mineral and contains plant based organic matter so you can breed Koi fish,” they explain with Nakaka nodding in acknowledgement. Even in the winter, the water temperature is 16C and the pond does not freeze over.

An added attraction – the unusual and newly bred species

A scent similar to lemons fills the air but it comes from the white-cedar. We were told ”this tree is used as an ingredient for perfume.” The flowers have been bred to bloom during all 4 seasons, and some even bloom in November. During our walk, we saw Ezo squirrels. Other wild animals such as Siberian flying squirrel, fox and rabbits also frequent the Garden. We walked around the Garden while listening to the explanations, and Nakata shared his impression that, ”While there are many gardens with flowers, it is rare to see this many varieties of trees in one place. I would never become bored here.”

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Registered as World Heritage Site in 2011

The Hiraizumi area was registered as World Heritage Site in 2011 under the title ”Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land, in which Motsuji is included.
Motsuji was founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin over 1000 years ago in 850. This is about the at the same time when Chusonji Temple was built. After that, Motohira and Hidehira from Oshu Fujiwara family created a huge monastery to revitalize the temple. Many halls and monasteries were built and the temple was said to be larger than Chusonji Temple at the time. Later, in 1573, during the Age of the Warring States, it was burned in combat and all the buildings were burned. As the power of the Fujiwara family declined, all the halls were destroyed after encountering many disasters. However, the garden and the ruins of the monastery remained in nearly perfect shape.

The reconstructed main hall originally built in the Heian period

The main hall was built in 1989. According to head priest Kojun Shirayama who guided us, the building was re-constructed based on the building style from the Heian period.
Nakata shared his impression after seeing the main building, ”Vermillion red painting is more associated with Shinto shrines.” Shirayama explained, ”Yes it certainly does. However Heian period was s time when Shinto and Buddhism was fused together. So there was no difference between shrines and temples. They both existed at the same place. It was only after Meiji period when the two religions were made distinct from each other.”

But why did they choose the style of the Heian period for re-construction? It was because the garden remained in the style of the Heian period. The garden which is also called Paradise (Jodo) Garden was created in the space of about 20 hectares. The design is said to be based on the oldest known garden book ”Sakutei-ki” written in the Heian period. The garden is built around the Oizumigaike pond, and the ”araiso” style waterfront and the ”kare sansui” style landscaping replicates famous landscapes of Japan with the combination of manmade and natural beauty.
”For better or for worse, this area did not have large scale development projects so that is why the Heian period garden and ruins still exist untouched.” Shirayama told us. They wanted to create a main hall to match the garden.

“Hono Enbu”, dance by the monks

Motsuji, as mentioned earlier, is a part of the World Heritage Site. In the middle of the site, there is the Jodo Garden and the ruins of ”Rinchi Garan” nearby is designated as National Special Historic Site and Special Beautiful Scenery. In addition, there is the main hall, Kai Kaizando, Jogyodo and the famous stone plaque with Basho’s famous haiku ”Summer plants, Soldiers, All remains a dream.”

There is also an Intangible Cultural Property at Motsuji. The dance is called ”Einen no Mai” (longevity dance) and performed by priests to be offered to Buddha and his guardian deity. It is performed in a hall called Jogyodo. The offering is made on the 20th day after New Years to pray for the peace of the nation, rich harvest and prevention of illness. It is generally known to the public as the ”20th Night Festival”.
As we stood in front of the Heian period garden, we have a great view. The most beautiful seasons are the spring with fresh green and autumn. The view made our hearts relax.

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The mausoleum of Mitsumune Date, the grandson of Masamune Date.

Entsu-in is situated next to Zuiganji Temple, the family temple of Masamune Date. Mitsumune Date, the grandson of Masamune Date and great grandson of Ieyasu Tokugawa died at the age of 19, and a mausoleum ”Sankeiden” was built, and established as a memorial temple in the 4th year of Shoho (1647). ”Sankeiden” was built with all the craftsmanship of the Date clan and is designated a National Important Cultural Property,
Today, it is open to public for worship, but in it has a history of being closed for three centuries.
On the grounds of the temple, Daihitei (Great Sadness Cottage), once a summer cottage in Edo, a place Mitsumune was attached to, has been relocated from Edo to enshrine the statue of Seikannon Bosatsu.
”The sorrow of his father, Tadamune Date, must have been great indeed. In his great sadness, he moved this summer cottage all the way from Edo, in memory of his son.” says Haruka Amano, the deputy chief priest of Entsu-in. In front of Daihitei is a heart shaped pond, and a garden which represents Mount Hodaraku, a legendary mountain where Bosatsu Kannon is believed to have lived.

“Foreign culture” expressed in the mausoleum

Nakata was allowed to visit the inside of Sankeiden.
”Please look at the doors of the shrine. There are drawings of western daffodils and roses.” Indeed, there were beautiful pictures. The flowers from the west, such as daffodils and roses, were very rare during the Edo period. In the years of Keicho, the Date clan sent Tsunenaga Hasekura as a delegate to Europe, in an attempt to start direct diplomatic relationships with foreign countries. Hasekura succeeded in securing an audience with the King of Spain and the Pope, but he returned to Japan without much success. When he returned, Japan had already decided on national policy of isolation.
”In the age of national isolation, it was compulsory to give up any goods brought from foreign countries to the central government. It is believed that the Date clan wished to preserve the foreign culture they so painstakingly acquired, in this mausoleum. ” The central government would have never thought that the cultures of the west would be drawn inside a shrine. It is decorated also with other western designs including hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs.

Taking a walk in the beautiful gardens

On visiting Entsu-in, Nakata couldn’t help stopping to look at the beautiful gardens. Within the temple grounds, there are four gardens, and many visitors come here to see the stone garden which represents the Seven Gods of Happiness, and the rose garden.
”There were times when Entsu-in didn’t even have a resident priest and couldn’t maintain the temple. These gardens used to be vegetable patches during the war. We tended to the gardens, and little by little, they have come to the present state.” said Amano.
Tender green of new leaves in the spring, the lush trees and colorful flowers in the summer, red maple tree leaves and lighted night scenery in autumn – the gardens show different aspects each season, and give visitors much pleasure.

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Sacred site of Mount Hakusan

Natadera is located on Mount Hakusan, and due to its majestic prominence, has long been revered as a sacred mountain where a Goddess resides. Natadera was founded approximately 1300 years ago, in the year 717 when the Buddhist priest Taicho carved a statue of a thousand-armed Avalokiteshvara and enshrined it in the cave of Hakusan. In the middle of the Heian period, Emperor Kazan visited the temple, and was so pleased with the temple, left a comment, ”This sacred location possesses all the 33 views of the Westland’s Kannon sacred mountains.” It is said that Natadera was named afterward quoting the emperor’s comment, taking the character 那 ”Na” from Nachisan, the 1st sacred mountain of the 33, and the character 谷 ”Tani” from Tanigumi San, the 33rd sacred mountain.

Walking in the caves

The temple had been revered, but the war of the north and the south dynasties caused its dilapidation. Later, Toshitsune Maeda, the 3rd feudal lord to the Kaga clan restored the temple. Ever since, Natadera stands majestically in the steep mountains.
Natadera is also known for its rocky mountains and caves. Important Cultural Asset designated ”Daihikaku Haiden” and ”Karamon” stand by the entrance of the cave while the main ”Honden” is located inside the cave.
Many Jomon period earthenware were excavated from inside. Researchers claim that there may have been religious ceremonies conducted inside the caves. This temple still standing here today, dates back to the ancient times.

Feeling the laws of nature

The oddly shaped cliff Kiganyusenkyo is a tourist spot at Natadera. A Buddhist statue is enshrined by the rocky mountain surface, looking like a picture of the beautiful landscape. We visited in summer, when the mountain was full of greenery.
”The statue melts into the natural landscape, surrounded by the forest. What a sight!” Nakata commented, as he looked at Kiganyusenkyo.
”People of the past cherished being a part of nature.”
Natadera is a temple that holds faith in the laws of nature. The beauty of the 4 seasons within the temple grounds seem to be mere coincidence, but actually is not. It is all calculated. The inherent beauty is still handed down in the present times.

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Standing in tranquility after reconstruction

Founded in 717, Heisenji Hakusan Shrine is considered to be the general leader of all Hakusan shrines around the country.
You may be wondering why it is named Heisenji, seemingly a temple’s name, despite it being a shrine. This is because the shrine fell within the rule of Hieizan Enryakuji Temple in the Middle Ages. After that the shrine began to be referred to as Reiozan Heisenji.

In the Muromachi period, Heisenji became a big force governing 90,000-koku worth of land. However, it was set afire by Ikko sect followers in 1574 and was destroyed.
Subsequently, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and others reconstructed Heisenji, with a full scale reconstruction during the Edo period.
After the separation of Shintoism and Buddhism in the Meiji period, Heisenji abandoned its temple name and has existed as a shrine since then.

The beauty of moss and nature in the grounds

The approach to Heisenji Hakusan Shrine is designated as one of the 100 famous Japanese paths. Moss covers the stone pavement and big cedar trees stand on both sides as if praising the subtle and profound appearance of the shrine. The air is cool, creating the ambience of entry into another world.

The stones of the big pavement on the approach were reportedly carried by ascetic monks from the riverbed of the Kuzuryu River. They are so large that it is hard to believe they were carried by hand.

Walk the pastoral and tranquil approach and you will suddenly find the main hall which stands as if floating above a moss carpet. This view enhances the illusion of being in an ethereal world even more. It is wonderful to walk around the premises of Heisenji Hakusan Shrine, as it will bring tranquility.

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Historical Reconciliation

Tenryuji is a Rinzai-sect temple built by Takauji Ashikaga in mourning for Emperor Godaigo. If you had wondered ”Really?” you have some insight in history. Takauji Ashikaga is the person who had revolted against the ”Kenmu Restoration act” proclaimed by the Emperor. Emperor Godaigo had ordered his subjugation. Zen priest, Musousoseki who had strong ties with both the Emperor and Takauji Ashikaga strongly suggested to Takauji to built a temple for his mourning as a symbol of reconciliation. Thus Tenryuji became the site to this historical reconciliation and Musousoseki became the first head priest.

Garden as it was when First Created

After completion, Tenryuji became top of the 5 temples of Kyoto, but after many tragedies such as fires and the Ounin War, most of the temple had been destroyed. The Sogenchi-teien, the garden Musousoseki had created, is the only part of the temple that still remains as it was upon its foundation. It is a garden surrounding the Sogen Pond and is a garden that changes its expression with the mountains, as it blends in with the Arashiyama mountains beyond the river, and the Kameyama mountain in the west. Tenryuji’s construction took time due to financial reasons and to solve this problem, Takauji’s brother Naoyoshi resumed trade with Yuan and used the profit from this for the construction cost. This was the famous ”Tenryuji boat”. Here, is another historical story tucked away.

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Origin of Miidera

Miidera is located at the foot of Mt. Hiei by the western shore of Biwa Lake of Otsu city in Shiga. The official name of Miidera is ”Nagarasan Onjoji”, and it is the Head temple of Tendaimon Sect, the 14th temple of pilgrimage of the 33rd Kannon Sacred Sites. Emperor Tenchi, who erected Otsu capital had planned to establish a temple at this location making the ”Miroku bosatsu” statue he always carried around for prayers as the principal statue of worship. However, he passed away without fulfilling his dream, so his son, Ohtomo no miko (Emperor Kobun) tried to fulfill his father’s dream. He too passed during the Jinshin War, along with the perishing of the Otsu capital itself.
Later, Ohtomo no miko’s son, Yota no Ohkimi decided to create a temple with his grandfather’s ”Miroku bosatsu”. Emperor Tenmu, who had been hostile to Ohtomo no miko during the Jinshin war permitted his plea and named it ”Onjoji”.

“Phoenix Temple” always Revives

After the passing of Holy priest Chishoudaishienchin, who had established the foundation of Miidera as a teaching and training ”dojo” for Buddhism, collision between Mt. Hiei (Sanmon) and Miidera (Jimon) intensified.
Genpei riots, Nanbokucho riots and other friction continued with fires being set, and each time, the temple would be driven close to ruins. The temple somehow revived each time, and is thus referred to as the ”Phoenix Temple”, the temple that always revives.

Important Cultural Asset and the Garden

Although Miidera was confronted with religious persecution many times, it owns large numbers of cultural assets. It amounts to 10 categories (64 items) of National Treasures, and 42 categories (720 items) of Important Cultural Assets, ranging from architecture, paintings, calligraphy, historical documents, etc.

A magnificent garden integrated with the guest hall

Nakata was taken on a tour around the ”Kojoin Garden”, a scenic historical site. The selected stones that are laid out circling the pond designed in the Chisen-style method are magnificent natural stones. This garden is plotted so it integrates with the reception hall with a profound appearance.
The garden also represents life forTimes have changed, yet Miidera lives on with its beauty and continues to convey their teachings.

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Worshipped for many years

Taga Taisha is mentioned in the ”Kojiki” as the location where Izanagi no Ookami lives. According to legend, Izanagi no Ookami descended to earth on Mt. Sugisaka, on the eastern side of Taga Taisha, and later rested in Taga. Because of this legend, the nobles strongly revered this shrine from the Nara period through the Heian period.
During the Kamakura period, the temples and shrines integrated and in 1494, the Fudoin of the Tendai sect was built at Taga Taisha as well. Afterwards, several temple buildings were erected and due to active missionary work, belief in the Taga shrine spread nationwide, as ”Taga Daimyojin”.

”Otaga-san” and Prayers for Longevity

Toyotomi Hideyoshi also had strong beliefs for Taga Shrine. The story of his prayers for his mother’s longevity in 1588 is widely known, and he renovated the main building and also donated about 11.682 square kilometers of land in appreciation when his prayers were fulfilled. As can be seen from Hideyoshi’s strong belief, Taga Taisha is a shrine for longevity which the commoners also shared.
There is a folk song – ”If Visiting Ise, Visit Taga too”- which describes the many visitors who went to pay their respects during the medieval years to the modern era. Even today, the shrine is known to as ”Otagasan”, and the main road that stretches out from the gates to the shrine is lined with souvenir shops.

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4950 square meter garden overlooking the strait

”Teien no Yado (Accommodation of the Gardens) Sekitei” pursues relaxation. It is located on the opposite bank of Miyajima, and within their 4590 m2 garden overlooking the strait dotted with several cottages, the guests can enjoy the sea, mountain, sky, moon, stars, and seasons. The cottages are available for staying overnight. It may be intriguing to stay a couple of nights, the first night at a cottage designed with rustic charm, the second night at the main building or at the sukiya-style annex. All rooms are designed differently, an idea brilliantly planned out by the owner.
The open-air bath is made of rocks, creating ambience. The bathtub and body washing area are all made of wood, and the woody aroma has a healing effect, soothing after a long journey.
The Takamatsunomiya Highness has enjoyed staying at Sekitei. Their hospitality is superbly first class, and sure to allow you to fully relax.

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14 Years to Complete

The names Kenrokuen in Kanagawa, Korakuen in Okayama, and Kairakuen in Mito may ring a bell for many. Yes, they are the “three most outstanding gardens” in Japan. Okayama city is the home of one of the gardens, Korakuen.
Korakuen was made by the 2nd lord of the Okayama clan Tsunamasa Ikeda. It took 14 years.
Korakuen was built so that the view of the garden could be enjoyed for relaxation purposes from Enyotei, the sitting room for the clan lord, and the Japanese-style guest rooms in the buildings placed within the garden.

Walking Through the Garden

But Tsunamasa’s son Tsugumasa built Yuishinzan in the center of the garden, and made water pathways and ponds. This created a three-dimensional landscape, and added to the joy of strolling through the garden. The garden was transformed from a still garden to one with movement. Other changes were adapted, according to the taste of clan lords and social circumstances, and it is interesting to see how history is reflected in the garden. The changes are explained in Korakuen’s official website, so we recommend you check the website prior to your visit.
Korakuen is located on the other side of Okayama Castle with Asahikawa River which runs through the city in between. One of the characteristics of Korakuen is the borrowed landscape making use of Okayama Castle and surrounding mountains.
Even to this day, there are restrictions on the height of buildings which can be seen from Enyotei, preserving the beauty of the borrowed landscape as much as possible.

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