I have been exploring Koishikawa Korakuen in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, Japan.
Early January. When you step into a winter-dead garden, the silence sinks into your heart. The branches of trees that have shed their leaves stretch toward the sky, as if time has frozen, and the cold wind slightly shakes the surface of the pond. In the middle of Tokyo, right next door is the huge Tokyo Dome. However, the hustle and bustle disappears as soon as you pass through the gate of this garden, and you feel as if you have been drawn into another world. As you walk slowly along the stone pavements that the feudal lords of the Mito Tokugawa family would have walked on in the Edo period, you can feel the lingering scent of history. This garden is not just a tourist attraction.
Even after 400 years, the stillness and dignity that still exist here gently touch people's hearts. As I stood at the edge of the pond, looking at the quiet teahouse, I suddenly felt a breeze blow in my ear. ``Weep before the world's sorrows, and enjoy after the world's joys.'' - The sentiment that was once put into this garden still resonates quietly today. With this video, we hope you too can experience a ``virtual walk'' and feel the profound beauty of this garden.
A famous garden nestled in the abyss of history, something that transcends time.
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden was started by Tokugawa Ieyasu's son, Yorifusa Tokugawa, and was completed by his son, Mitsukuni Tokugawa (Mito Komon). Mitsukuni learned from the Ming Dynasty Confucian scholar Zhu Shunsui, and is said to have taken the name ``Korakuen'' from a passage in ``Yueyang Louki.'' This was an expression of his resolve to ``leave his own pleasures for later and eliminate the worries of the people first.'' The garden is a stroll-style rock garden with a spring water garden that exemplifies the aesthetic sense of the Edo period. By incorporating Chinese landscapes into it, a magnificent story is created. The arc-shaped Engetsu Bridge is reflected in the pond, creating an elegant shape that resembles a full moon. The scenery created by the interweaving of light and shadow is like a scene from an ink painting. The ``West Lake Embankment'' is a replica of the West Lake in Hangzhou, China, and has an exotic feel to it. When you stand under Tsutenkyo Bridge, the hustle and bustle of the city disappears completely, and you are surrounded by a calmness that makes you feel as if you have wandered into a deep mountain valley.
At the ``rice fields'' established by Mitsukuni Mito to learn about the labor and hardships of farmers, the scenery of each season still soothes the hearts of visitors. Cherry blossoms color the garden in spring, and purple irises quietly bloom in early summer. The autumn leaves turn fiery red, and the winter white plum blossoms display a dignified beauty. This garden, which has been designated as a national special historic site and a special place of scenic beauty, is not only beautiful. Here, the scenery that the feudal lords of the past gazed upon remains, and the spirit of Edo is still alive and well. Times may change, but what this garden tells us remains the same. Even now, if you listen carefully, the Edo wind will caress your heart.
■Photography date
2025/1/8
■How to get there
Approximately 6 minutes walk from the west exit of JR Sobu Line Suidobashi Station in Tokyo, Japan
MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LTT43ALqa9icyHEAA
Thank you for watching.
■Playlist
travel alone
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhY2oW_i6g73opiShyFi4BXb-sWFIXqkO
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■Photography tools
Osmo Pocket3 DJI
DSC-RX100M3 SONY
*Shot in 4k60p HLG HDR.
*Google Translate is used to translate subtitles for each country.
■Chapter list
00:00 1.Opening
04:10 2.Koishikawa Korakuen
13:26 3. Hakua-do Ruins
21:10 4. Engetsu Bridge
26:23 5. Shimizu Kannondo ruins
■Hashtag
#japantravel#koishikawakorakuen#japanwalk#tokyo#japantrip#japan