You might remember that last year I missed most of momijigari (紅葉狩) autumn colours because I was busy dashing to and from the UK to sort out a visa issue. This year I was a bit better prepared and managed to visit a number of parks around Tokyo, the most impressive of which was Koishikawa Korakuen (小石川後楽園).
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Built in the early Edo Period (1600-1867) at the residence of the ruling Tokugawa family, the garden was named Korakuen after a Chinese poem espousing that “a governor should worry before the people and enjoy after the people”.
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While an early start would have been perfect for photography, I timed my arrival for noon when most people were at lunch. On my way out there was a long queue to get in.
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The garden includes an abundance of over 4000 trees including cherries, maples, and pines artfully arranged around winding paths, streams and ponds.
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This was probably my favourite spot in the garden – underneath the golden maple trees overlooking oigawa pond and togetsukyo bridge beyond. Pure magic.
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If you walk around the back of the green knoll above the lotus pond there’s a hidden lookout point – a fine spot for enjoying a bento.
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Covered by red leaves and lit by dappled sunlight a thatched pavilion makes for a sublime perch to pause and reflect.
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The garden also contains a small rice paddy which the public participates in planting each May and then harvesting in September. Surround the clearing is a plot of iris’s which bloom in mid-June.
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The far southern corner hides Naitei inner garden, formerly a private garden for a guesthouse built by the Mito Clan. It contains a small pond with an island connected by two arched bridges.
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I hope you’ve enjoyed the photos 🙂
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