The Japanese Garden

Hello Ladies and Gents, 

I wanted to write about one of my favorite places to go to when I am alone and just wanting to ease the tension of the day-ta-day life.

THE JAPANESE GARDEN!!!

There is nothing more beautiful and more peaceful than the Japanese garden.
Found in the midst of Mickey Grove Regional Park in Lodi! 

This beautiful Japanese Garden had its beginnings in 1959 

through the guidance of “Duke” Yoshimura.

The garden is surrounded by 60 Kwanzan flowering cherry trees 

with five Akibono flowering cherry trees in the central area of the garden.

Three religions have an influence in the garden. 

Shintoism is expressed in the use of stones, Buddhism is visible in the use of lanterns and Taoism is manifested in the islands.

There are 11 lanterns in the garden, 

all being stone except for one which is concrete. 

The five-story pagoda lantern situated on the north hill was donated by Lodi’s sister city; Kofu, Japan. 

Each story is representative of fire, water, earth, air and atmosphere. 

The long rod on the top has nine rings and has a kinship to Buddha.

The flame-shaped tip denotes protection against fire.

Koi fish in the pond have been known to live for 200 years. 

The fish, with ring markings on its scales designating age, can grow to three feet in length. 

Colors range from red, blue, white, brown, black and yellow.

The garden’s angle bridge represents Chinese belief that evil spirits travel in a low straight line, therefore unable to follow across this bridge. 

The red arch bridge, meanwhile, is of typical Japanese design and includes eight bronze lotus flower bud finials.

The large building in the garden is a pavilion designed by Hoji Wada of Stockton, 

who also designed the garden’s entrance gate. 

It provides a beautiful backdrop for outdoor weddings, 

which are popular in the garden.

Here are some of my personal images from the garden!

The Plaque That Greets You When You First Enter! 

<3<3<3

Doesn't It Look So Peaceful?

When You Walk Down This Beautifully Long Pathway, You Will Be Greeted By Such Lovely Sights Like These! 

Some Lovely Stepping Stones! 

Look How Far They Go!!! :3

A Little Cave-Like Hide Out! It Reminds Me Of The Demon-Wolves Den In Inuyasha!

More Stepping Stones Action! 

A Pretty Little Pathway! 

A Cute Little Waterfall! :3

CHERRY BLOSSOMS! 

Koi Fishes! ;3

More Koi's! :3

This One I Named Gregory! :3 He Kept Following Me Around The Pond! :3 

I Wanted To Steal Him In My Pocket And Take Him Home With Me! :3

More Cute Kio Fishes! 

Hehe Gregory Again! :3

Hehe Isn't He Such A Cutie??? :3

D'awwwz A White One?? :3

. . .More. . .

. . .And More. . .

. . .OMFG MOREEEE. . .

A Turn At The Pathway! :3 

Along With Some Cute Banzai Trees! 

A Cute Little Tea House! :3

Some Bamboo and The Japanese Tea House! :3

A Cute Little Pink Flower!

A Bridge That Was Designed To Trap Evil Spirits and Demons! 

Its In A Zig-Zag Form!

A Better Look At The Zig/Zag Bridge!

The Red Bridge From Another Angle!

Bamboo Hide-Out!

Red Bridge and A Stone Bird Feeder!

You Can Only Appericate These In Picture Form. . .In Order For The Experience To Be Incredible. . .One MUST Be Here In Person! :3

I Couldn't Help But Sing "Reflection" From The Disney Movie Mulan when I Was Dancing Around The Bridges and whatnot!

A Picture Of A Mossy Tree Branch and A Beautiful Reflecting Pond! 

A Cute Little Pond and Stone Statue! 

Another Shot Of The Tea House In A Different Angle! 

The View From The Red Bridge! <3

Another Pretty Pathway!

This Would Be A AWESOME Place For A Horrible Picnic! ;D

Another Pretty Place! 

Wanna Visit The Japanese Garden? 

Click It Here!!! 

Anywho, That Is All. . .

Thanks For Reading!

xoxo

Hannabal Marie