Chapter 7 --
Exquisite Gardens
Shaped by a harmonious blend of Buddhist, Taoist and Shinto traditions, Japanese gardens are mystical places with a long history. The natural forms of their rocks, plants, trees, and ponds create a peaceful haven for spiritual meditation and quiet contemplation, and their quiet beauty serves as a soothing refuge from the hectic pace of modern living.
Tokyo contains many beautiful gardens that can be visited any season of the year. They are generally more formal than parks, with pathways meandering through them from which you can view the lovely scenery. A large number of Tokyo's gardens were developed during the Edo period (1600-1868), when the country's center of activity shifted from the former capital of Kyoto to Edo (now Tokyo) under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate.
Once part of the estates of wealthy daimyo (lords) and other high-ranking individuals, some of the gardens have been preserved on the grounds of the city's prestigious hotels and restaurants, wisely left intact when the property was purchased. Others can be found secluded behind the walls of temples, shrines and former estates--and one very special garden can even be visited on the grounds of the Imperial Palace. Still others have been incorporated into the city's open and user-friendly parks. Many gardens charge admission, but all the ones listed here are free. Find your own personal favorite and enjoy it often.
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