Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

I decided to listen to Japan Guide, yet again.
Visited the #42 of 69 most visited sights in Tokyo!
The Koishikawa Korakuen Garden!

It's too bad it wasn't the plum season or cherry blossom season.
The garden was still so pretty, nonetheless.
Imagine if the trees were full of cherry blossoms! WOAH.

Lake Biwa - This pond was interpreted as the biggest lake in Japan
This landmark is called:
Hitotsu-matsu - After the one standing on the coast of the lake

Maro-ya
You get the "cozy atmosphere of a teahouse in the countryside".
These buildings were burnt down in air raids but rebuilt in 1966!

This was probably for me, the most intriguing part of the entire garden.
It is called the Engetsu-kyo.
This bridge was built by a skillful workman, under the design and instruction of Chu Shun Shui.
It was called Engetsu-kyo because a full moon was formed by the bridge and its shadow on the water.
It is said that the 8th shogun Yoshimune had intended to have this type of bridge built
in the garden of Edo castle but could not realize it.

I don't know why but I find it so cool!
Imagine like centuries ago, someone was sitting down, nice sunny day and all.
An idea struck him and he randomly came up with the idea of building a bridge that kinda looks like the moon!
TELL ME THAT'S NOT COOL. I think its awesome!
OMG I couldn't stop staring at it. It was SOOO PRETTY!

Yatsuhashi
Literally called "Bridge of Eight Boards"
It was LITERALLY a bridge made out of 8 boards!
Again, TELL ME THATS NOT COOL.
AMAZING, right? Something so simple and functional.

Atago-zaka
This slope with stone steps was an imitation of the one in Mt. Atago in Kyoto.
There are 47 steps in all.

This was so cool too.
I don't know if you can tell from the picture, but the steps were extremely steep and narrow.
Probably making them impossibly difficult to climb up.
I didn't actually get to climb it because it was cordoned off, but thats not the point.
Imagine right, centuries ago, someone actually built these ridiculously narrow steps STONE BY STONE.
I know you're probably thinking like, that's how they make steps now too what...
BUT NO, it's different! We have TECHNOLOGY now.
The machines would probably do most of the work, but that was not the case back then.
COOL, RIGHT? I think I never actually stopped to realize all this before.

This house is a model of "Sake House" found in the countryside during the Edo period.
The original structure was lost by air raids in 1945 and was rebuilt in 1959.

Uchi-niwa
This is a picture of the inner garden, which was attached to the lords' residence.
It is a good example because most other private gardens have been lost.
It's great because you can even see the Tokyo Dome peeking at you from the background.
Yes, that's the Tokyo Dome!

Looks like a green Narnia, right?

Another picture of Hitotsu-matsu.

Tokyo Dome.
I didn't get to take a picture of the inside because they were having a concert that day.
Don't think I can even if there wasn't but yeah.
It still looks awesome from the outside!
Till next time, bye!