Happo-en Garden Tokyo -

Happo-en Garden in Tokyo was a place we were keen to visit.

I had read several articles describing Happo-en as a quiet garden of great beauty. As it was walking distance from the Teien Art Museum, we combined it with a look at the Institute for Nature Study (an area of indigenous vegetation) and easily had our day planned.

The road leading to the entrance of the garden ran under an arch and on to a roundabout. This was filled with pruned pines and azaleas, a small temple and rocks. We wanted to stop on the pedestrian crossing and stare but were moved along by men in suits who appeared to be waiting for someone important to arrive.

Not long after, a limousine cruised up and a wedding couple were helped from the car. A priest met them as they entered the Kojiro Inari Shrine on the other side of the road to where we were standing. At the same time a small group of family members were being led, on foot, up the opposite pathway. This was obviously a traditional Japanese wedding and we were excited to witness part of it.

Happo-en is a traditional garden that includes a restaurant and function area as well as a traditional Tea House. A natural stream runs through these beautiful, well-maintained gardens making it easy to understand why it is a popular venue for weddings. We saw 5 wedding parties while we were at Happo-en.