Nature’s Treasure, Tokugawaen Garden

An oasis of green in the middle of Nagoya City, the Tokugawaen Garden is a bona fide exemplar of a traditional Japanese garden. Conceived to please the demanding generals of old, it is expansive, well-maintained and exquisitely designed. Flowers and plants of each season make the place an enjoyable experience all year long and the air is natural, yet sophisticated and uplifting. A mechanism was invented causing the waterfall to suddenly surge and flood the stepping-stones once one had completely crossed the small stream. The feudal lords invited to the garden parties of old found this feat of engineering both surprising and enjoyable. The Ryumon No Taki waterfall was actually brought from the former Owari Tokugawa residence in Edo, now the grounds of Tokyo’s Waseda University, in 1998, and has been faithfully restored. Another beautiful waterfall within the evergreen forest is the six-meter high, three tiered Ozone-no-taki waterfall which has given its name to the local district, Ozone.