Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens

Made in 1629, Koishikawa Botanical Gardens is a traditional Japanese garden located near Tokyo Dome. Quite a few of the scenes in the garden are inspired by famous Chinese landscapes. The garden is loved by locals for its cherry blossoms in the spring and its fall foliage.

Enchanting Fantasy Castle in a State of Disrepair | Dreamy Pink Sky

A captivating fantasy castle made of white stone, adorned with numerous towers and turrets. Surrounded by billowing clouds against a dreamy pink sky backdrop. The castle evokes a sense of enchantment but shows signs of neglect with broken windows and cracked walls.

Dark fantasy castle on a floating island in a lake AI generated wallpaper at full moon day

Dark fantasy castle on a floating island in a lake AI generated wallpaper at full moon day

Creating Fantasy Characters

I have written about character building before, but this time, I want to have a particular focus on character building for the fantasy genre. My books are more than often, character driven and art of characterisation can be powerful, turning plots into amazing and awesome stories.

The Influence of Disney Fairytales

Disney is a cornerstone of the American childhood. Even for someone like myself who was raised in an environment where most Disney movies were banned because of the witchcraft, sorcery, or overt references to Satan (The cat in Cinderella is named Lucifer, for example), I was still influenced via friends or the occasional contraband storybook found in a dentist’s or doctor’s waiting room that I would sneak into a corner or playhouse and read. I didn’t see most Disney movies until I was a babysitting teenager. To this day I have never seen Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs or 101 Dalmatians, yet I could tell you the stories and even sing nearly all the songs. With such a pervasive influence, it was impossible to escape the clutch of Disney.

Five Shocking Animal Hybrids That Truly Exist in Nature, From Narlugas to Grolar Bears to Coywolves

Five Shocking Animal Hybrids That Truly Exist in Nature, From Narlugas to Grolar Bears to Coywolves
The now-famous “virgin” stingray Charlotte is not having hybrid babies, scientists say. But in nature, distinct species sometimes interbreed to produce surprising offspring

Have a happy first day of september with these new Hello September images and pictures

We wish you a happy first day of september! Let it be good for you! We have some new cute Hello September images that you can share on your pages.

The Fusion Of Nature And Technology A Tree Emerges From A Circuit Board

This resource was generated with AI. You can create your own using our AI image generator.

Black Fantasy Art: The God of Crossroads

I had long assumed that the God of Crossroads was some lesser, unknown deity within the pantheon of Greek or Nordic mythologies, but that was before I delved deep into the world of black fantasy art.

Road Trip: Driving the Fairytale Road in Germany

We took a road trip from our apartment in Baumholder along Germany’s Fairytale Road. Germany is where the Brothers Grimm wrote famous tales like Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Sleeping Beauty. There are so many amazing road trips in Germany, but this one allows you to relive those childhood stories. It’s also one of the prettiest drives in the country. The route offers beautiful views and a deep dive into the Brothers Grimm’s tales. Be ready for an experience that might surprise you.

Fantasy Animal Hybrids Natural History Illustration in Leyendecker Style

Fantasy Animal Hybrids Natural History Illustration in Leyendecker Style

Mystery Bird of September

I just love these colors. The photographer, William Dalton, did a superb job in matching the subtle colors of the flower and background to the bird. Now if we just knew the name of this beautiful bird we be completely happy! OK, somebody, tell us who he is…

Free illustrations and vector art: Enormous illustration

Free illustrations and vector art: Enormous illustration

Creating a Cozy Home: Traditional Interior Design Ideas

Discover how to transform your home into a cozy, inviting space with these timeless traditional interior design ideas. This slideshow features elegant living rooms, charming patios, serene bedrooms, and classic dining rooms-each showcasing the warmth and sophistication that defines traditional decor. Whether you're looking for design inspiration or tips on how to incorporate vintage furniture, neutral color palettes, and stylish accents, this video offers everything you need to c

Ford Fusion Titanium Energi

The Ford Fusion is a mid-size car that was manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company.[2] From the 2006 through 2020 model years, two generations of the Fusion have been produced in gasoline, gas/electric hybrid, and gas/plug-in electric hybrid variants. The Fusion was manufactured at Ford's Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly plant in Sonora, Mexico, alongside the Lincoln MKZ, and formerly the Mercury Milan,[3] both of which share its CD3 platform.

Captivating Fairy on Blooming Flower

A visual scene of a tiny, magical fairy, sparkling with a mystical aura. The fairy is of Middle Eastern descent with long, luxurious dark hair that contrast with a pair of iridescent wings fluttering softly. She is wearing a dress made from petals and leaves, radiating an array of rich, vibrant colors that reflect the enchanting fairyland. She is seated delicately on a large, blooming flower, possibly a sunflower or a lily, with tiny dewdrops shining like diamonds onto its velvety petals. The fairy is reaching out to one of these dewdrops with curiosity and delight. The setting is a soothing, early morning, with the sun casting a warm, golden light passing through quickly dancing leaves.

Encyclopedia of Impossible Animals Hybrids

Encyclopedia of Impossible Animals Hybrids

Steps for Successfully Starting a New Journey in Life

Steps for Successfully Starting a New Journey in Life

Fairytale Characters Enormous Turnip

Create a colourful wall of your favourite fairytale characters! This Enormous Turnip sign is manufactured on tough outdoor quality rigid plastic panel, so it's fade and weather resistant.

Free Cozy autumn setup

A cozy autumn setting with a lit candle, warm beverage, stacked books, and scattered leaves.

Nestled among a collection of old, worn books, a warm cup rests on a knitted blanket, emitting a sense of warmth and comfort. A lit candle adds a soft glow, enhancing the cozy atmosphere. Nearby, a small pumpkin and fallen leaves hint at the autumn season, while the background features a rustic bookshelf overflowing with literature, suggesting a quiet corner perfect for reading and relaxation. This scene captures the essence of fall and the pleasure of quiet, introspective moments spent indoors.

Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens

Made in 1629, Koishikawa Botanical Gardens is a traditional Japanese garden located near Tokyo Dome. Quite a few of the scenes in the garden are inspired by famous Chinese landscapes. The garden is loved by locals for its cherry blossoms in the spring and its fall foliage.

About Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

Koishikawa Korakuen is a city-managed Japanese garden, in the Korakuen area of Tokyo’s Bunkyo Ward. The garden was constructed in the early Edo area, and has been state-registered as a special historical heritage site, and scenic spot since 1952. Out of all city-managed gardens, this and the Hamarikyu Gardens are the only ones to receive both designations. Koishikawa Korakuen garden is also said to be the oldest of all Japanese gardens in Tokyo.
The garden is composed around a central pond, and visitors are intended to enjoy the change in scenery as they walk the trail around it. This Japanese garden is also characterized by the names of its sceneries, many of which have taken influence from famous locations in China. Look at the way the garden expresses Japan’s many beautiful sceneries of lakes, mountains, rivers and rice fields!
This massive Japanese garden with an area of over 70,000m2, displays a different beauty at every turn of the season with a colorful diorama of plum trees, cherry blossoms, azalea and irises that surround the pond.

History of Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

The land on which Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens sits today first belonged to Tokugawa Yorifusa, the founder of the Mito branch (present day Ibaraki prefecture) of the ruling Tokugawa Clan. His son, Mitsukuni, completed the construction of the residence and garden in 1629. Mitsukuni conceptualized Confucian teachings when planning this garden, taking inspiration from important Chinese Confucian scholars and their sayings. In fact, the name of the garden, “Korakuen”, derives from a quote from a book by Fan Zhongyan, a scholar from the Song Dynasty of ancient China.

Weeping cherry trees of Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

The weeping cherry tree, or shidare-zakura in Japanese, can be found right as you enter the garden. This particular tree is over 60 years old, and boasts a charming pink scene in the spring.

Daisensui pond of Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

The pond in the center of the garden is the Daisensui. Inspired by Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, the pond plays the role of the main attraction in the gardens. The man-made island, named Horai-jima, and the rocks in the pond coordinate well with the surrounding atmosphere to create graceful scenery. In its earlier days, the pond was used for sailing as well.

Tsutenbashi Bridge and Oigawa in Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

The capacious stream running towards the western side of the park is the Oi-gawa river. The Oi-gawa River is a real river in Kyoto prefecture, and the one here is a smaller replica of the original. The water in it used to be pulled straight from Kanda Aqueduct.

Fall foliage at Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens

The Fall Foliage Festival will have you feeling fall with every single one of your senses. Autumn in Japan is already stunning to begin with, but it is exceptional at Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens with the traditional Japanese garden supporting the fall foliage scenery. From the end of November to the beginning of December the gardens will be adorned in autumn hues.

Autumn 2013: Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens

Autumn 2013: Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens

Visit Date: 11/21/2013 (Best Viewing TIme: late November to early December)

Koishikawa Kōrakuen (小石川後楽園) is one of the oldest and best preserved parks in Tokyo and one of the surviving gardens from the Edo period. Numerous maple and ginkgo trees are planted along walking trails that lead to ponds, bridges, and man-made hills, providing one of the most pleasing autumn viewing spot in the city.

Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.

Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens, Tokyo

This 17th Century garden was created in 1629 by Mito Yorifusa and completed by his son. It incorporates both Chinese and Japanese elements.

Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens

Made in 1629, Koishikawa Botanical Gardens is a traditional Japanese garden located near Tokyo Dome. Quite a few of the scenes in the garden are inspired by famous Chinese landscapes. The garden is loved by locals for its cherry blossoms in the spring and its fall foliage.

About Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

Koishikawa Korakuen is a city-managed Japanese garden, in the Korakuen area of Tokyo’s Bunkyo Ward. The garden was constructed in the early Edo area, and has been state-registered as a special historical heritage site, and scenic spot since 1952. Out of all city-managed gardens, this and the Hamarikyu Gardens are the only ones to receive both designations. Koishikawa Korakuen garden is also said to be the oldest of all Japanese gardens in Tokyo.
The garden is composed around a central pond, and visitors are intended to enjoy the change in scenery as they walk the trail around it. This Japanese garden is also characterized by the names of its sceneries, many of which have taken influence from famous locations in China. Look at the way the garden expresses Japan’s many beautiful sceneries of lakes, mountains, rivers and rice fields!
This massive Japanese garden with an area of over 70,000m2, displays a different beauty at every turn of the season with a colorful diorama of plum trees, cherry blossoms, azalea and irises that surround the pond.

History of Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

The land on which Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens sits today first belonged to Tokugawa Yorifusa, the founder of the Mito branch (present day Ibaraki prefecture) of the ruling Tokugawa Clan. His son, Mitsukuni, completed the construction of the residence and garden in 1629. Mitsukuni conceptualized Confucian teachings when planning this garden, taking inspiration from important Chinese Confucian scholars and their sayings. In fact, the name of the garden, “Korakuen”, derives from a quote from a book by Fan Zhongyan, a scholar from the Song Dynasty of ancient China.

Weeping cherry trees of Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

The weeping cherry tree, or shidare-zakura in Japanese, can be found right as you enter the garden. This particular tree is over 60 years old, and boasts a charming pink scene in the spring.

Daisensui pond of Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

The pond in the center of the garden is the Daisensui. Inspired by Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, the pond plays the role of the main attraction in the gardens. The man-made island, named Horai-jima, and the rocks in the pond coordinate well with the surrounding atmosphere to create graceful scenery. In its earlier days, the pond was used for sailing as well.

Tsutenbashi Bridge and Oigawa in Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

The capacious stream running towards the western side of the park is the Oi-gawa river. The Oi-gawa River is a real river in Kyoto prefecture, and the one here is a smaller replica of the original. The water in it used to be pulled straight from Kanda Aqueduct.

The lotus leaves of Koishikawa Korakuen's inner garden

The inner garden, or "naitei", sits at the southern end of the garden. While the garden was under Tokugawa possession, the naitei was a separate facility from the rest of the garden. This area was used as a private cram school during the Tokugawa days.

The plum blossoms of Koishikawa Korakuen

Koishikawa Korakuen Garden has approximately 90 plum trees of 35 types, which reach their prime season around late February to early March. Tokugawa Mitsukuni who was responsible for the completion of this garden, is said to have loved plum trees so much that he took on the pseudonym "Bairi" (梅里 = land of plums) when he took part in creative activities such as calligraphy and painting.

Fall foliage at Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens

The Fall Foliage Festival will have you feeling fall with every single one of your senses. Autumn in Japan is already stunning to begin with, but it is exceptional at Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens with the traditional Japanese garden supporting the fall foliage scenery. From the end of November to the beginning of December the gardens will be adorned in autumn hues.

Koishikawa Korakuen in the winter / Yuki-tsuri (Winter)

To prevent snow from weighing the trees branches down, yuki-tsuri are placed over the trees. Yuki-tsuri ropes carefully situate on the trees, and resemble an empty Christmas tree. During the winter months, you can see the trees in Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens with the traditional Japanese technology, yuki-tsuri over them.