Osaka

The Arrival of Spring

Listen to the footsteps of spring in a Japanese garden!

Takako Sakamoto Mar 24, 2015 - 1 min read

<p>Gorgeous Yae Camellia! They look dignified in the cold weather.</p>

<p>Japanese black pine getting greener in early spring</p>

<p>Thunberg's meadowsweet playing a supporting role to cherry blossoms. They start blooming before the main role.</p>

<p>Looking at low-key flowers relaxes me more than flashy ones. Spring in Japan can't be complete without Japanese cornelian cherries.</p>

<p>I tried to create a translucent effect with lovely plum blossoms</p>

<p>Stone lantern set on the edge of the pond</p>

<p>White magnolia translucent like snow</p>

<p>Brilliant purple magnolia, in contrast to the more modest white ones</p>

<p>Camellia in typical Japanese color! In a Japanese garden, this flower stands out like a queen.</p>

On March 15th in 2013, I visited a Japanese garden inside Expo Commemoration Park in Osaka.

This garden is located closer to my place than any other gardens, and I can enjoy greenery and the change of seasons as easily as though it was my own garden. Built in 1970 for Japanese Expo 70, this garden was designed to exhibit each era of Japan's iconic landscape gardening from the 7th century to modern times. A half century later it still informs me of spring's arrival each year with brilliant flowers inside this garden!

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...