These tranquil Japanese gardens,complete with koi ponds and a tea house, provide the ideal place to escape thebustle of the city.
Step intoa world of traditional stone lanterns, Zen designs and beautifully landscapedplants at the Japanese-style Kasugai Gardens. Stop for a drink at the tea houseand gaze into the pond to spot colorful fish.
Built in1985 as a symbol of the friendship between Kelowna and the Japanese city ofKasugai, the Kasugai Gardens are a haven within the busy city center. Enter thepark and you will see the symbolic Circleof Friendship sculpture. This was designed by Dutch artist Geert Maas as amemorial to Yukihisa (Roy) Tanaka, who devoted his life to building relationsbetween Canada and Japan.
Strollalong the gravel paths in the fully enclosed garden and you will feel a worldaway from the busy city streets. Admire traditional Japanese details, such asstone fountains and intricately detailed wooden bridges. Appreciate thesimplicity of Japanese garden design and imagine Zen monks in ancient templespracticing their morning routines of raking patterns into the gravel. Be sureto stop by the pond to spot bright koi fish swimming beneath the lilies.
Take arest with a cup of green tea in the tea house. The small enclosure provides theperfect place to appreciate the serenity of the gardens. Listen to the calmingsound of running water and observe the colors of the trees around you. Theseare particularly spectacular in autumn when the acers and maples turn burningreds and oranges.
KasugaiGardens is located close to the city center, just east of the City Hall. It isa popular spot with local workers, who come here to unwind during lunchtime orat the end of the day. The gardens are open during daylight hours and there isno admission fee. Several bus routes stop close by.
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