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.
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.
what a cool experience, i've never had one like it :)
ReplyDeleteAaaaaaaaaaaaargh, 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.
ReplyDeleteReally beautiful pictures! I like your sandals :)
xo, Mel
Oh my gosh that place is GORGEOUS!
ReplyDeleteit's lovely there. i love the first photo!
ReplyDeleteOoh, how incredibly serene - I would love to visit here someday!! :)
ReplyDeleteseriously? so jealous. beautiful beautiful pictures. i feel stress relief just looking at them!
ReplyDeleteNow this is my kind of weekend! And look at those cute fishies... awwww.
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday Dear! xo
Gorgeous! I always loved the Japanese serenity. I really should visit both our botanical gardens here in NYC.
ReplyDeleteoh 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.
ReplyDeletexo,
cb
I grew up going to lots of local Japanese gardens in Hawaii - they are just such amazing spaces. Thanks for these serene photos!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun experience, I am sure the tea ceremony must have been amazing
ReplyDeleteLooks 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.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to attend a tea ceremony. The gardens look beautiful!
ReplyDeletei used to come here all the time when i was a kid!! love the gardens!
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful! I adore these kind of gardens
ReplyDeleteOh wow! It's so beautiful and serene. I want to go there!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful! I love Japanese tea houses there's one in Philadelphia where I used to live... although, this one might just be lovelier.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a fun time! :)