In the gaaarden…Koishikawa Korakuen, Japan

Today was a day with no strict agenda. As we had run out of time in Shinjuku a couple of days ago we decided to go back and get a closer look.

On our way to our first destination I stopped at the Sensoji Temple next door to our hotel and took a few pics. Incredible buildings! I also tried to take some shots at night with the temple lit up in red but they turned the lights off just as I was about to press the button…literally!! Bastards…

We then passed through Ueno, where I took this one at the Ameyoko markets…

And this one of a multi-level car park for at home!

After that our destination was Koishikawa Korakuen, arguably Tokyo’s best garden, and one that the rain yesterday had prevented us from visiting. I love the Japanese sense of order and the way they attempt to manifest their philosophies into the physical world through their gardens, and through their art. In this case they’ve combined the two seamlessly.

Korakuen garden was created back in the 1600s for the Tokogawa family. How’s that for old?!! Similar to Shinjuku Gyoen, it was amazing walking around such a peaceful setting, while surrounded by such chaos. The photo with the Tokyo dome in the background gives you some sense of the contrast.

And off to Shinjuku…