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Photo: Japanese plum blossoms growing in Steveston last spring. Photo by Robyn Hanson.

It’s the first day of spring!

Yeah, it’s hard to believe with the frigid temperatures, although there’s that fresh smell in the air of cherry blossoms waiting to bloom. You know it’s just going to be a matter of days before we start seeing pink everywhere. It’s seriously one of my favourite times of the year, so fleeting yet magical all the same.

Back when I was a student at UBC, I took an art history class about Japanese ukiyo-e painting, and one recurring subject in the artwork was “hanami” which is the Japanese custom of enjoying beautiful flowers… or more specifically, cherry blossoms at that precise moment when the petals begin to fall. My professor would tell us stories of modern day Japanese hanami or sakura parties in Toyko where people in the hundreds would flock to the cherry trees at the first site of fluttering petals, and would proceed to drink sake all day under the canopies of pink.

But that got me thinking… there’s a strong tie to the Japanese community here and while we don’t exactly have a hanami tradition, we do appreciate spring, cherry blossoms, and Japanese culture. We also have several Japanese gardens scattered around our beautiful Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region of BC.

To kick off spring, I thought I’d highlight five of such gardens:

1. Nitobe Memorial Garden – Vancouver

Photo: UBC’s Nitobe Memorial Garden in March, 2003. Photo by Robyn Hanson.

Located at UBC campus, Nitobe Memorial Garden is a traditional Japanese Tea and Stroll garden and according to their website, it’s considered to be one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in North America and among the top five Japanese gardens outside of Japan. Nitobe Garden also includes a rare authentic Tea Garden with a ceremonial Tea House. Traditional Japanese tea ceremonies are always a possibility when you visit.

Though tiny in size, Nitobe’s a must for anyone interested in traditional Japanese gardens. Each tree, stone and shrub has been deliberately placed and is carefully maintained to reflect an idealized conception and symbolic representation of nature. The garden honours Inazo Nitobe (1862-1933) whose goal was “to become a bridge across the Pacific”.

When you’re planning a visit, take note that the garden is only open on weekdays from 10am-2pm. Admission is by donation.

2. Kuno Garden – Richmond

Richmond has strong ties to Japan, and it’s not just because they’re sister cities with Wakayama. Japanese Canadians were Steveston pioneers, making up a significant chunk of the village’s population back in the infancy of the fishing industry. Just drop by the Steveston Museum for proof where you can glimpse at the old photo albums and you’ll see that Steveston was once home to Japanese schools, a Japanese hospital, and countless shops catering to the Japanese Canadian community. This was pre-WWII Steveston.

Steveston is a different place now, but legacies of its Japanese heritage live on in places such as Kuno Garden. Situated at the entrance of Garry Point Park, Kuno Garden was created to celebrate the centennial year of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant to Canada. It’s a tiny section of an otherwise expansive park, but the nearby grove of cherry trees makes it a particularly alluring place to visit in the springtime.

3. Chiba Garden – North Vancouver

Located along the 200 block of West Esplanade at Waterfront Park, North Vancouver’s Chiba Garden is a traditional Japanese garden tucked away behind cedar gates. Built in 1986, it commemorates the friendship between the City of North Vancouver and its sister city, Chiba. Although the North Shore News‘ Todd Major suggests that it’s “a little neglected”, he explains that “the garden’s design is comprised of two streams originating from one source, representing the friendship between these two cities”.

Local blog This Is the Way It Is & That’s Okay visited Chiba Garden in February 2012 where they relaxed and absorbed the scenery – the trees, the sea air, and the quiet. Check out their photos as it’ll no doubt inspire you to hop on the SeaBus to Lonsdale Quay where Chiba Garden awaits less than a 10 minute stroll away.

4. Friendship Garden – Hope

Photo: Friendship Garden in May, 2008. Photo by Robyn Hanson.

Located in the heart of Hope is a beautiful Japanese garden simply known as Friendship Garden. I’m embarrassed to admit that I had only discovered this garden in May of 2008 despite a lifetime of visits to Hope. It’s only two short blocks east of Water Avenue (the main strip when you first enter the town) and any time I visit Hope now, I definitely make a point at stopping by. It’s a beautiful park to stretch your legs and breathe in the mountain air. Of course, the cherry blossoms make it particularly picturesque.

But there’s a deeper meaning to this park as explained by the plaque on the rock. It reads, “Built by the local Japanese Canadians commemorating the Japanese Canadians interned during World War II in Tashme Camp, 20 kilometers east of Hope on Hwy No. 3 and also to demonstrate Japanese culture to the general public. Presented to the Town of Hope on July 27, 1991. Project design and supervision provided by the Japanese Gardeners Cooperative of B.C.”

5. Friendship Garden – New Westminster

Yes, there are two Japanese Friendship Gardens in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains! Located adjacent to New Westminster’s Tipperary Park, Friendship Garden is a Japanese-inspired garden that was built in 1963 as a tribute to Moriguchi, Japan – New Westminster’s sister city. Unlike the more traditional Japanese gardens, this garden blends the aesthetics of a Japanese garden with the more informal garden style typical of the Canadian west coast.

Ironically, it’s situated right next to City Hall, but there’s no better place to escape the city. Relax on a bench to enjoy the beauty of the trees, flowers, and native plants, or go for a short stroll along the walking paths. The park also features a waterfall and pond as well as a totem pole. In any case, it’s the perfect hybrid of Japanese and west coast culture.

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