Heian Jingu, Shin-en Garden in June

Outdoor Roofed Passageways -5 Taihei-kaku Bridge

Tomoko Kamishima Jun 06, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Water lilies and their beautiful reflection</p>

<p>Weeping cheery blossoms and Taihei-kaku Bridge in early April</p>

<p>Taihei-kaku Bridge in Shin-en Garden</p>

<p>The bridge is a very sophisticated wooden structure</p>

<p>The roofed passageway has long benches on both sides</p>

<p>Heian Jingu Shrine in cherry blossom season</p>

<p>Stepping stones created from the legs of old bridges</p>

<p>There are many kinds of tiny flowers in the garden</p>

Taihei-kaku is a beautiful wooden bridge crossing over the pond at Shin-en Garden in Heian Jingu Shrine. This bridge is not just a bridge, but a very sophisticated wooden structure featuring a small tower in the middle. The roofed passageway has long benches for sitting while you are walking over the bridge. The garden was designed and created by Ueji VII in 1895. He used water from Biwako Canal built in the Meiji Period (1890), stones from the legs of old bridges built in the Tensho Period (1573-1592), and the entire Taihei-kaku Bridge which was granted to the shrine as an Imperial gift. The best time to visit here is during cherry blossoms season in early April, and in June to enjoy the iris and water lilies.

Tomoko Kamishima @tomoko.kamishima

Japan is a small island nation, but we have a huge number of surprising things to discover here. Many of these delights can be found when you step off the main street onto small side paths. I really enjoy studying about and researching various aspects of traditional Japanese culture, and then sha...