Sunday - Top Garden - Kenroku-en

Well darn.  We're packing again to move on to our next digs.  There's a long line for breakfast...totally our least favorite thing about traveling with the coaches.  Should have been earlier.  We still waver between grueling and great for this trip.

This mornings first stop is one of the great gardens of the Edo period and one of the top three gardens in Japan.  What a fantastic way to start a Sunday.  We forget about the grueling again.

The name 'Kenroku' means 'combined six' and refers to the six attributes for perfections: seclusion, spaciousness, artifice, antiquity, abundant water, and broad views.  This attempt at perfection started in 1676 and completed early 1800s -- not that any garden is ever completed.

So much snow falls here that the trees all have supports under their branches to keep them from breaking.  Again they went to a lot of trouble to build floating or rock islands off center in the ponds.

Mirei got us here early because Sunday is a big family day for the Japanese  We are pleased that they are not ALL here yet.  Again we are wowed by the trees and artistry of a old garden.

 

cucumber on a stick for sale

 

And kids love them!

Leslie striding in Kenrokuen

We leave this garden for another long road segment to get to the Night Festival in Shirakawa.