"A tranquil place of peace and harmony. One of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s premier sites and 100 years old, Hakone is one of the oldest Japanese estate, retreat and gardens in the Western Hemisphere. Hakone has also been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2013. 18 acres of magnificent beauty is nestled in the verdant hills of Saratoga overlooking Silicon Valley." -Hakone.com
Situated in the hillside of Saratoga, Hakone Estate and Gardens is a serene decent-sized garden, with a pond stocked with Koi and turtles, lots of well-tended flowers and trees, some traditional Japanese crafted buildings, bamboo garden, and a little bridge and waterfall. You can climb up for a nice view of the valley, and there's also a small gift shop outside. There are plentiful benches and shade, and it is not a strenuous walk by any means. I'm 8 months pregnant and was able to do it fine. You can easily see everything in half an hour if you hurry, but you shouldn't...
I always say that I'm not someone who have always dreamed of having my own garden, but if ever I'll have one, it's definitely going to be Japanese-inspired. This is actually my first time visiting a real Japanese garden and to see a real classic Japanese home. I've always been an admirer of Japanese culture & architecture. It's all about a combination of simplicity, serenity and intelligent practicality. Here are some of the pictures that I took of my favorite spots of the garden and the Japanese house:
There's a $10/adult fee. All kids 4 and under are free.
No comments:
Post a Comment