Nakazu Banshō-en, Daimyo garden in Marugame, Japan
Nakazu Banshō-en is a daimyo garden in Marugame featuring multiple levels with stone paths and carefully arranged landscapes. Visitors pass through ponds, cross bridges, and encounter plant arrangements that change throughout the year.
The garden was established in 1688 during the Edo period as a private retreat created by local feudal lords. It reveals how the ruling class of that era spent leisure time between nature and personal reflection.
The garden displays traditional Japanese design principles through carefully placed stones, lanterns, and water features that visitors encounter throughout the grounds. It embodies the harmony between human-made elements and nature that is central to Japanese gardening philosophy.
Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon when fewer people are present on the grounds. Wear appropriate footwear, as paths and bridges can become slippery after rain.
The grounds feature a system of interconnected ponds supplied by natural springs with varying water levels. These elevation differences create flowing water sounds that permeate the entire area.
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