Oiso & Jyoyama Park - Part 2

More photos from a national park near the coast of Sagami Bay, in Kanagawa, continue. 

Part 1 is HERE.

Jyoyama park was large enough that it took over an hour to cover one section of the park. Here are more photos from my walk. 

I continued following the suggested route through the park. Venturing down the hill from the highest point in the park, I found a wooden bridge: 

Reaching the bottom of the hill, walkers can see this waterfall:

Bamboo is an image that many of have of vegetation in Asia. Japan is no exception. This bamboo forest was well maintained, and almost seemed like a curtain:

No Japanese park is complete without a koi (carp) pond. This particular pond was filled with many huge carp!

Click the video below to see a 360 panorama of the koi pond in Jyoyama Park:

On the other side of the koi pond, there were some hidden benches where one could relax:

Near the end of the walk, we came across a tea house, which served matcha (= Japanese frothy green tea). If the weather is warm, tea drinkers can sit outside in the garden to sip in the ocean air too.

Gate with stone lantern beyond-- this is the entrance to the tea house garden:

Visitors have to cross the street to see the second half of this park. The latter area was late Prime Minister Yoshida's (read more HERE) main residence, solarium and private garden. 

Entrance sign to Jyoyama Park, Mr. Yoshida's former residence:

Section of the garden, with the solarium in the back right:

There is only one walking path in this park. Following it to the top of the hill, you can find a statue (with English explanations) of Mr. Yoshida. What's interesting is that he carries a cigar in his left hand. I guess he loved to smoke, much like Churchill?

There is a small pond near the entrance. I was surprised to find two turtles playing in it. Check out the guy on the rock....(his buddy is swimming to the left)...

...the little guy on the rock wanted to show off for the camera I guess. (laugh)

View of the entire pond with stone pagoda:

Grandfather and grandson-- examining some tiny fish:

Lily pond to the left of the grandfather and grandson:

I hope you enjoyed seeing a very traditional Japanese garden. If you have further interest, the most famous garden in Japan is Kenrokuen, in Kanazawa. It's the epitome of a Japanese traditional garden and is beautiful in every season. See the Kanazawa Tourism site in English HERE.

~Information~

Jyoyama Park is located in Oiso town, Kanagawa. 

Access: 

• by highway: Take route 1 to Oiso. Follow signs to the park. (Google directions HERE)

• by train and bus: Take the JR Tokaido line to Oiso. Change to a bus going in the direction of Ninomiya Station North Exit. Get off at "Oiso Jyoyama Koen". Train takes 42 minutes from Yokohama station. Cost: ¥650 one way ($6.50) 

Entrance is free to Jyoyama park. If taking a car, some parking fees may apply. 

Park website is HERE. 「日本語」