“A garden isn't meant to be useful. It's for joy.
~Rumer Godden
Have you ever been to a real Japanese Garden? Not the kind someone has in their backyard, but the kind they have in Japan! I think I mentioned in a previous posting that I have been to Japan on three separate occasions. I'll try going through some of my old photos and do another posting for everyone to see about my amazing trip to Japan. Our son and his wife lived there for a few years and during that time, they took me to some beautiful gardens; as well as a Japanese Tea House.
Where I'm going with all this is to tell you that Grand Rapids now has a Japanese Garden within the Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park...
It's taken three years, from start to finish, but the garden officially opened this weekend to the general public. Meijer Gardens hired Hoichi Kurisu to design the garden. He also designed the Portland, Oregon Japanese Garden and the one in Rockford, IL, as well as the Japanese Garden in Delray Beach, FL.
Mr. Cottage and I are members of the Meijer Gardens, so last Thursday and Friday, all members could go into the Japanese Garden before the public. So we decided to see it before all the crowds come after this past weekend...
I either read or heard that each individual item, whether the many rocks and boulders, or bent trees going towards the water, the paths, flowers and everything in between, had been thought out ahead of time with it's purpose of placement. So please enjoy the tour...
If you're truly interested in this garden, I strongly suggest you go back and click on the link that will show you many more features, with photos. If you're within driving distance, you'll want to come in person to enjoy, not only the Japanese Garden, but all the wonderful gardens and sculptures at the Meijer Gardens.
Tomorrow, I'll continue the tour of our red painted cottage; and Thursday, I have more to share with you from the Meijer Gardens.
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