Yokohama English Garden

For the past week, I had been needing to de-stress from my work. Unfortunately, we are in the midst of the rainy season in Japan, so the weather did not cooperate with my wishes. Finally, just yesterday, the sun stood tall for an entire day, so I asked a friend to join me in visiting Yokohama English Garden.

This garden, located only 10 minutes from Yokohama station, showcases five zones, with a large number of roses. With the rose being the symbolic flower of Yokohama, the garden boasts over 1,250 varieties!

Enjoy the photos....

Entrance & cosmos, one my favorites: 

The gardens are not free; the entrance fees are 500 yen for adults and 300 for children and seniors. You can buy a one year member's pass, which costs 3,000 yen ($30) allowing you to visit the garden an infinite number of times. 

 Garden paths, benches and brick walls:

There is very nice gift shop near the entrance to the garden with many reasonably priced, rose/flower themed items. Rose tea and rose ice cream seemed to be the best sellers. I asked the shop staff when was the best time for visiting this garden? Her reply: "Mid May to late May".

Statue and arch:

While walking, I loved taking close ups of the various flowers. You will see many older, retired Japanese doing the same, so why not copy the locals? Photography is a popular hobby among the elderly here. 

Garden and macros:

Despite it being a bit late in the season, there were many roses in bloom, or soon-to-bloom. I was quite surprised to find many variations of color. 

Roses, lilies, irises, lanterns, benches:

The garden is most famous for its roses; however, during the rainy season (early to mid-June), Japanese hydrangeas are in bloom and should not be missed. 

Blue hydrangeas, grapes and more:

The garden itself is located inside a large complex which features: a wedding reception hall, a reform center and over thirty full scale, model houses. Those other attractions are free (except the wedding reception hall, which is reserved for wedding ceremonies only). Visitors to the garden should allow one to two hours to walk, and if you want to view the model houses, allow another three to four hours. 

Garden path, gazebo, and various greenery:

I enjoyed my time meandering through this garden. Yokohama is full of surprises -- even in a city of 3.6 million -- there are many places one can feel at peace. 

My two favorite photos: a lantern and myself!

All photos by Cutenekko except me on the bench
 (taken by my friend using my camera)

For those living or working in Yokohama and in need of some respite, this English garden is a welcome place to sit and read a book or just veg out. I hope you will try to visit.

Happy travels!

Information: 

Yokohama English Garden website is HERE. (Japanese only) 

Access: 
Yokohama station. Walk through "The Diamond" and take Exit 8 (across from Yodobashi Camera). There is a free shuttle bus (yellow, says "Housing Express" on the side) at Exit 8. See the bus timetable HERE. (Japanese only, but easy to figure out)

Cost:
500 yen ($5) - adults
300 yen ($3) - children and seniors 

Rules:
No commercial photography
No food or drinks inside

Other:
There is an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet at the garden restaurant here. 
Cost: 1,800 yen ($18) per person. 

Try:
Rose ice cream or rose tea (at the gift shop).