Travel Story-- Northern Japan in the Spring, part 1

In April two years ago, I traveled in northern Japan with the Pacific Horticulture Society. Somehow I never described about that wonderful trip. Come with me to Japan...
 

We began in Tokyo of course. Tokyo is a great modern city, but it has hidden gardens that soothe the soul.

Tokyo: Nezu Museum garden, a fine museum and lovely garden (link)

From Tokyo we went north and inland, to see the Keggon Waterfall en route to Lake Chuzenji. It was a beautiful and scenic spot and one that would look quite different later when the plants were green or after a lot of rain. (Not complaining, suggesting another visit.)

Keggon Waterfall

From there we went to Nikko, the site of the mausoleum of the first shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu. We were told that he intended a modest memorial. (Although he chose in a place due north of the capital, so his legacy could be likened to the north star, a dependable point of reference.) Nevertheless, his grandson redecorated so lavishly that the Japanese said, "Never say you are content until you have seen Nikko." Built of painted wood, it was undergoing restoration when I visited, but dramatically opulent despite the scaffolding.

"Never say you are content until you have seen Nikko."

One of the things I love about Japan is the contrasts: old and new;  artistic and silly. The hotel that night featured this cutout in the lobby. I couldn't resist it:

We continued northward to Sendai and then Matsushima Bay. The views were great.

Matsushima Bay, Japan

Matsushima Bay is famous for being so beautiful that the great haiku poet Basho could only write

Matsushima ah!

A-ah, Matsushima, ah!

Matsushima, ah!

Alas, the poem was probably not written by Basho but he, and many others since, greatly admired Matsushima Bay.

It is of course a big tourist attraction. In April, there were plenty of people around but not big crowds.  Lots of stores to sell you souvenirs though. This is what I saw when I turned away from the view above. 

the street facing Matsushima Bay  

The last of the camelias were still flowering.

Matsushima Bay had islands to visit and pathways along the shore, these with imitation wood railings. I'm always interested by things like this. A rustic look was wanted but the real thing was replaced too often? 

We took a cruise around the Matsushima Bay. It was gray and chilly but scenic:

I'm having too much fun remembering the trip. I'll write about the rest next week. 

Comments and corrections welcome.

Kathy Keeler, A Wandering Botanist

More at awanderingbotanist.com

Join me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AWanderingBotanist