Photo courtesy ELYSIUM Gardens (Hi Sho En), Kelowna BC
Public Japanese gardens
Enjoy the sights, scents and sounds of spring with a stroll through one of these inspiring Japanese gardens
**Nitobe Memorial Garden, UBC Botanical Garden,** Vancouver
Considered to be one of the most genuine Japanese tea and stroll gardens in North America, the two-and-a-half acres of pristine forest was constructed by landscape architects and gardeners recommended by the government of Japan. The garden stands as a memorial in honour of agriculturist and scholar Inazo Nitobe. This garden embraces many authentic features, including a reflecting pond with koi, waterfalls, stone lanterns and a tea house. nitobe.org
**Momiji Commemorative Garden, Hastings Park,** Vancouver
The Momiji Commemorative Garden serves as a reminder of the internment of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War. The garden is located near the stables on the Pacific National Exhibition grounds where the internees were detained before being shipped to internment camps. The Vancouver Japanese Gardeners Association designed and created the garden in 1993 with upper and lower sections of the garden divided by a stonewall that is reminiscent of ancient castles in Japan. The use of azaleas, irises, hydrangeas, daylilies and Japanese maples offer colour all year round.
**New Westminster Friendship Garden, New Westminster,** BC
This two-and-a-half acre Japanese-inspired garden features 100 Yoshino cherry trees, plus water lilies and native plants. tourismnewwestminster.org
**Hatley Park Japanese Garden**, Victoria
This Japanese stroll garden and pond is located on the grounds of Royal Roads University. Isaburo Kishida was originally commissioned to design three Japanese gardens in the early 1900s, the Hatley Park garden and the garden located at Butchart Gardens are the two survivors. Kishida secured its authenticity by importing plants and structural elements from Yokohama. The Boston Architectural Firm, Brett and Hall added an additional pond to this garden in 1913. The pond is hidden behind a row of rhododendrons and includes tortoise shaped island. The pond is also home to a pair of sculpted cranes that are symbolic of long life and good health. hatleypark.ca
**Elysium Garden, Kelowna,** BC
Four acres of perennial display gardens and a Japanese-inspired garden carved out of an old apple orchard are surrounded by unobstructed mountain views and pastoral countryside. elysiumgardennursery.com
**Kurimoto Japanese Garden, University of Alberta Devonian Botanic Garden,** Edmonton
This strolling garden is one of only a few Japanese gardens established in a northern latitude and was created to provide a cultural exchange between the Japanese and Canadians. The Ozawa Pavilion, located on the peripheral of the garden, serves as a meeting place that promotes friendship and understanding between the two countries. The garden honours Dr. Yuichi Kurimoto, the first Japanese national to graduate from the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Arts in 1930. Hiroshi Kurimoto planted the two mayday trees, located on the centre hill, in memory of his parents in 1993. The design interprets the vast geography of Alberta (mountains, forests, grassy hills, streams, ponds and lakes) and is authentically Japanese, but utilizes native and introduced hardy plant species. devonian.ualberta.ca/japgardn.html
**Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, Lethbridge,** AB
Established during Canada’s Centennial Year, 1967, to recognize the contributions of citizens of Japanese ancestry to the multicultural community of Lethbridge and as a symbol of international friendship. To maintain quality and authenticity, respected Japanese garden designer and landscape architect Tadashi Kubo was commissioned to design the garden. Using weathered rocks from a nearby mountain pass, it incorporates the adaptation of principles from Japan’s mountain and sea culture to the Canadian prairie. The garden also serves as a gathering place to celebrate Japanese and Canadian art and culture—offering weekly events including guided tours, traditional tea ceremonies and moonlight garden viewings. nikkayuko.com
**Kariya Park, Mississauga,** ON
This tranquil walled garden, opened in 1992, honours the twin-city relationship between Mississauga and Kariya, Japan. Walkways meander around a quiet pond, hill garden and through a stroll garden. A Friendship Bell is located in the pavilion on the north end of the park between a raked stone Zen garden and a dry stream bed. An array of rhododendrons, pine, gingko and sweetgum trees provide a peaceful haven from the bustle of city life as Mississauga grows around it. mississauga.ca/portal/residents/kariyapark
**Japanese Garden and Pavilion, Montreal Botanical Garden,** Montreal
Created in 1988 on two-and-a-half acres, this contemporary garden designed by Ken Nakajima, inspired by the traditional art of Japanese landscaping, includes Zen, bonsai and tea gardens. Its pathways lead visitors through settings of peonies, rhododendrons, irises, crabapple trees and numerous perennials.
The Japanese Garden and Pavilion
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