Momijiyama Garden
Momijiyama Garden is located in the northeastern part of Sumpu-park, which, in turn, is located in downtown of Shizuoka. This is a new Japanese garden; it was created in 2001 and represents a collection of all the remarkable places of Shizuoka in miniature. Compositionally Momijiyama Garden can be divided into five parts.
Garden of the Village
The first part starts from the entrance gate.
The visitor is invited to walk along the path, bordered by pebbles. On the one hand there are the low pines; on the other hand we can see the hills.
The path ends with a bridge, where a wooden pavilion is located. You can sit and enjoy the views of the pond. A wooden pavilion provides a space to relax and welcomes you to the world of a Japanese traditional garden. Irises bloom in early summer around the wooden bridge jatsuhasi.
Garden of the Water
Beach pond with the growing black pines on it symbolizes the miniature of Miho no Matsubara. (Miho no Matsubara is one of the famous places of Shizuoka: scenic sea coast for more than 7 kilometers is covered with white sand, on the slopes there are pine grove, where you can find trees under the age of 650 years).
The compositions of the stones in the pond and its shore on the opposite side are the image of the famous place of Izu, the city in the prefecture of Shizuoka, with the hilly surface and the hot springs.
Garden of the Mountain Village
A miniature of the famous Mount Fuji is located in the heart of the garden. The lower part of Fuji is framed trimmed azaleas that surround the mountain. These terraces are miniatures of tea fields, which are also a symbol of Shizuoka.
Visitors can climb to the topmost point, where a magnificent view opens. From this place the whole panorama of Momijiyama Garden can be seen.
A stream flows at the foot of the mountain. A wide bridge leads to Fuji. Grass is planted on both sides of the bridge.
On the side of the mountain you can see a dry waterfall.
Tea Garden
The next part of the garden was built as traditional tea garden. Unkai, the large tearoom, can be used as a multipurpose hall for tea ceremony, flower-arrangement exhibitions, haiku parties and more. It was built in the traditional Japanese style. Seigetsu-an is a small tearoom. Great care has been taken in the choice of materials, and rustic yet refined simplicity is highly valued.
Garden of the Mountain
Walking along the stream leads you to two different waterfalls-one vigorous, the other is elegant. They symbolize the magnificence and beauty of the mountainous countryside. This area represents the Hakone, a famous tourist resort with a virgin mountain forests, steep hills and onsens.
to the beginning
photo: Alexandra Shurupova
text: Irina Andrianova