hakone japanese tea gardens

October 18, 2010
garden feet
On Friday, I went to the Hakone Japanese Tea Gardens in Saratoga. My roommate, Jenna, is president of the campus Japanese Club and invited me to tag along because they had extra spots. These gardens are surreal. I've been to the tea gardens in Golden Gate Park but these have a different, serene vibe to them. All of the colors are true to nature and the whole garden has a sense of peace and harmony. During our little tour I found out that some scenes from Memoirs of a Geisha were filmed here, in the "moon viewing" house that sits on top of the hill. The gardens were originally built as a getaway for a family who lived in San Francisco, and after seeing the place, I can't imagine why they didn't just stay here.

We also got to attend a tea ceremony, a kimono demonstration and went out to enjoy a feast of delicious Japanese food in San Jose's Japantown afterward... but more on that later.

my exact impression of what japan looks like
into bamboo garden
wisteria grows here
bodies of water
serene little bridge
koi waiting for food
the moonviewing house

17 comments:

  1. what a cool experience, i've never had one like it :)

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  2. Aaaaaaaaaaaaargh, I'd like to take those great pictures of the kois in our botanic garden, where we've been last weekend. But the water was too dirty.

    Really beautiful pictures! I like your sandals :)

    xo, Mel

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  3. it's lovely there. i love the first photo!

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  4. Ooh, how incredibly serene - I would love to visit here someday!! :)

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  5. seriously? so jealous. beautiful beautiful pictures. i feel stress relief just looking at them!

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  6. Now this is my kind of weekend! And look at those cute fishies... awwww.

    Happy Monday Dear! xo

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  7. Gorgeous! I always loved the Japanese serenity. I really should visit both our botanical gardens here in NYC.

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  8. oh it looks sooo beautiful! there is a japanese garden by our house that we went and used our twin lens and it look some amazing pictures! it is amazing how serene japanese gardens are.

    xo,
    cb

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  9. I grew up going to lots of local Japanese gardens in Hawaii - they are just such amazing spaces. Thanks for these serene photos!

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  10. What a fun experience, I am sure the tea ceremony must have been amazing

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  11. Looks so tranquil! Loving all things Japanese at the moment because my boyfriend has just gone out there for the year, think I might watch Memoirs of a Geisha this weekend and try to imagine I am out there with him.

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  12. I've always wanted to attend a tea ceremony. The gardens look beautiful!

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  13. i used to come here all the time when i was a kid!! love the gardens!

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  14. This is so beautiful! I adore these kind of gardens

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  15. Oh wow! It's so beautiful and serene. I want to go there!

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  16. How beautiful! I love Japanese tea houses there's one in Philadelphia where I used to live... although, this one might just be lovelier.
    It sounds like you had a fun time! :)

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