GPOD on the Road: Tokyo and Kyoto in Autumn

From a Imperial Palace to bamboo forests, a reader shares diverse gardens and plants she saw in Japan

well-chosen Friday GPODers !

The amazing contributors we ’ve had onGarden Photo of the Dayhave really taken us all over the globe . From home gardens to public park and grand botanical gardens , we ’ve seen a overplus of works life and excogitation panache from countless corners of the orb . We continue our world travel today with the help of Helen Stephenson . Helen has shared her beautiful home garden in the Halton Region of Ontario , Canada with GPOD in the past times ( Helen ’s Mostly Native Garden ) , but today she ’s partake in photos from a trip-up she convey to Japan last fall .

Last November , I had the chance to inflict Japan ( Tokyo and Kyoto ) . Unfortunately , that part of Japan was have a former fall and the gloss on the trees had n’t changed as much as in previous years . Despite that , I was capable to take a few good pic of the maple just starting to turn colours as well as other interesting plant photos .

It was an amazing trip-up that I was rosy enough to be capable to take !

The Imperial Palace in Tokyo . – As Helen refer above , the fall colouration was n’t on full display when she made her sojourn , but the rich tradition of artistic pruning in Japan meant there was still peck of pursuit to admire . Here you may see several Tree with ‘ cloud pruning ’ , a method that is pretty self - explanatory with clusters of tree that look like float green clouds . get wind more about this technique in this article from the Royal Horticultural Society : Cloud pruning .

Another opinion from the Imperial Palace in Tokyo . A truly peaceable retreat in the heart of a bustling metropolis , the innermost garden of the castle can only be accessed through lead tours and on special holidays , but the tranquil nature that surrounds in the “ Outer Gardens ” set aside for easy entree and a taste of the stately dry land . Learn more about the Imperial Palace here : Visit the house of Japan ’s Imperial home .

Another famous light-green smear to escape the lights and crowd of Tokyo isShinjuku Gyoen National Garden . This city parking lot is one of the most iconic places to see Japan ’s cherry blossoms in leaping , but it must have been far more peaceful and relaxing outside of this “ peak ” time .

Like many large public city gardens , Shinjuku Gyoen is divided into dissimilar section that are plan in trenchant styles . Aside from the traditional Japanese landscape design , another expanse of the garden is designed in a formal French garden style ( pictured above ) . Another space is done in an English garden style .

Even in a major city like Tokyo , inventive people find elbow room to infuse verdure into unexpected place . Helen says this “ Living Wall ’ was on the exterior of a commercial construction in Tokyo . What a gift to all that mold and know in the expanse !

The following were taken in Kyoto .

One of many bamboo forests . – If you ’ve see of any bamboo forest , it may be theArashiyama Bamboo Grovein Kyoto , with its winding walking paths being one of the most photographed sights in the metropolis . However , as Helen articulate , there are many bamboo forests throughout Kyoto and some less - shoot areas are in all likelihood more peaceful .

On theKodaiji Templegrounds . – The grounds around this synagogue feature tsukiyama - stylus gardens , or ‘ pitcher’s mound garden ’ . These garden depend to mimic natural landscapes on a smaller scale , with man - made hills and mounds mimicking wad and ponds of various size mimic larger bodies of water system like lake and oceans .

Trees and shrubs are selected and institute to mirror the plants that would naturally grow in these areas . Learn more about tsukiyama gardens here : Real Japanese Gardens .

Maruyama Parkin the Gion district of Kyoto . – Another park in Japan that is famous for its leap cerise heyday show , but is full of history and interestingness that make it worthy of a visit in every season .

take in the Kibune area ( north terminal of Kyoto ) . – Looks like Helen did get a minuscule glimmer of downfall in Kyoto , the complete backdrop to these incredible traditional light posts .

last , another spotlight in the Kibune area that looks to be a subdued moment with nature amongst all of the busy slew seeing Helen was doing . And yet another glimpse of salient fall color , with the leaves of this tree resembling colored key strokes .

give thanks you for partake in your spectacular tour of Tokyo and Kyoto , Helen ! Japan is eminent on my traveling pail list , as I ’m sure it is for many other readers , but the long flights from North America do make it a more intimidating expedition ! Getting this first - hand account is not only a great penchant of the nature these cities have to bid , but are also a big incentive to bite the fastball and leger that flight one day !

Did you do any international travel in 2024 ? Whether it was across the globe or just across a border , we ’d do it to see what plant life and nature you experienced in this unexampled destination . Consider following the directions below to state pic via email , or transport me a DM on Instagram:@agirlherdogandtheroad . trust you all have a adorable weekend !

Have picture to portion out ? We ’d love to see your garden , a particular ingathering of plants you have sex , or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit !

To submit , institutionalise 5 - 10 exposure to[email protected]along with some data about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos . We ’d love to pick up where you are located , how long you ’ve been gardening , successes you are gallant of , failures you learn from , hopes for the future tense , favorite plants , or funny stories from your garden .

Have a roving telephone set ? Tag your photos onFacebook , InstagramorTwitterwith # FineGardening !

bamboo forest in Kyoto

Do you experience the GPOD by e-mail yet?Sign up here .

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Nesco Snackmaster Express Food Dehydrator

pond and garden at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo

hunky-dory Gardening receives a delegacy for item purchased through links on this site , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertizing programs .

Black and Decker 22 - column inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer

The Nature of oak tree : The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees

fall foliage in Japan

Get our modish bakshish , how - to article , and instructional videos sent to your inbox .

sign you up …

GPOD on the Road: Behind the Scenes at Coastal Maine Botanic Garden, Part 2

GPOD on the Road: Behind the Scenes at Coastal Maine Botanic Garden, Part 1

GPOD on the Road: Cherry in Nancy Heckler’s Garden, Part 4

GPOD on the Road: Cherry in Nancy Heckler’s Garden, Part 3

Join Fine Gardening for a loose engaging live webinar feature Dr. Janna Beckerman , a illustrious plant life diagnostician as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamental technical coach …

When I discern a finical sand dollar mark cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few month ago , I be intimate I was in trouble . With a delightful color pattern …

When we only prioritise industrial plant we want over plant our landscape painting needs , each season is filled with a never - ending list of task : pruning , pinching , lacrimation , treating , better , and fertilizing , with …

open field and small bridge at Shinjuku Gyoen national garden

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be measured when you go into the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to trip on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a duet …