Created in 1915 and named a landmark by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Hakone Gardens – a Japanese garden in the hills of Saratoga – has a peaceful and tranquil feeling the moment you enter the large wooden gates.  Today, my stress du jour was checked at the door.

Currently the garden foliage is dressed for autumn.  It is wonderful, with warm golds and vibrant reds spotted throughout the grounds and in the ponds as well.  The Koi residents seem happy and greet you as you cross the footbridge.  Turtles don’t have a care, sunning themselves on large flat rocks.

The paths wind around wonderful garden sculptures and plantings.  The design of the garden is genuine replica of a Samurai or Shogun garden with a very regal feeling, but not like formal English Gardens.  Not stuffy and rigid.  The form is flowing, but controlled.  I spent the morning wandering alone through the garden.  It was a complete luxury and this experience invigorated me for the rest of the day.  And my stress wasn’t waiting to rejoin me at the gate like I had expected.

There is more than the tranquil garden. Hakone offers classes as well.  Rejuvenate and treat yourself with yoga, Tai Chi or meditation classes.  Learn about traditional Japanese arts, such as ikebana or tea ceremonies.

It’s important to take your time, stop and absorb the serenity.  Reflect.  Try it you’ll be glad you did.

Hakone Gardens is located at 21000 Big Basin Way in Saratoga.  The Garden Hours are weekdays 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and weekends 11:00 am – 5:00 pm.  The cost for your moment of Zen $5 dollars for adults, $3.50 for seniors and students, and under 4 is free.

Here’s the complete slideshow:

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 at 11:00 pm and is filed under Desiree, Garden, Landscape, Peek of the Week. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.