The Gardens of Wakayama

THEMES

The gardens of Wakayama embody the deeply rooted connection between the spiritual, cultural, and artistic traditions of the region with nature. They reflect a world that is both ephemeral and constant in the changing of the seasons, the evolution of design, and the structure of society. They serve as quiet havens for carefree leisure, devoted worship, and personal contemplation. Experience inner peace as you stroll along their winding paths.

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Kishu-Tokugawa Gardens

The Edo period (1603–1867) marked the end of centuries of warfare and provided the stability required for the flourishing of art and culture. This renaissance is evident in the aesthetics of gardens commissioned by the daimyos, or feudal lords, of the Tokugawa shogunate that ruled during this period. These gardens are often designed around a central pond and feature small shrines, teahouses, and rock gardens. Several such gardens, with connections to the Kishu-Tokugawa’s—one of the three great Tokugawa houses—can be visited here in Wakayama.

Koyasan Gardens

Koyasan is a sacred mountain first settled by Kobo Daishi (774–835), the founder of Shingon Buddhism. The mountain is the spiritual centre of Wakayama and consists of 117 temples, each with a variety of garden styles that incorporate natural surroundings into their design. Fifty-one of the temples offer visitors the chance to participate in shukubo—the traditional practice of lodging within a Buddhist temple to briefly experience life as a monk.