A truly amazing place that's nestled deep into Fairmount Park, is a house that is something straight out of history books. No nails have been used in the building of the home, and you can't even wear your shoes inside. Those aren't even the best parts, it's when you walk around the garden that you find yourself truly inspired.
The Japanese House in Fairmount Park is a huge attraction for visitors and residents alike. It's an amazing site to see and I was overcome with inspiration when visiting the garden that surrounds the house. The huge Koi pond is great, and you can't help but get inspired from the brightly colored fish swimming around. The bright gold mixed with the vibrant coral is great!
I love the deck that wraps all the way around the Japanese House. It was perfectly made, and the wood is weathered so that it's smooth as can be. I would love to sit there all night long; and if I had a backyard, I would find some way to mimic it.
(Images: Kristen Lubbe)
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Comments (6)
koi, not coy
@austinpeahen thank you for pointing that out! I don't know how in the heck I missed that. It has been corrected :)
I'm working out ways to create a Japanese garden in my back yard, not that it particularly suits my colonial style house exterior...
True Japanese gardens are pretty labor intensive -- that artful "enhanced nature" look comes at a cost, so my goal is the low maintenance version. (Unlike Shinto monks, I am not planning to sweep my moss garden with a broom every day, for instance.) I'd love a little koi pond, but it needs to be deep enough for the fish to overwinter under the inevitable ice... All in good time...
It could be fun to bring some Japanese garden elements indoors... Gold fish in an interesting bowl/aquarium, red lacquer or wood elements, soft greens, and rock accents.
I have no outdoor space myself, save the many parks that I spend my mornings in, so the outdoors in is always #1.
The Japanese House & Garden -- or, Shofuso, as it's called -- is lovely. My friend got married there in her bare feet!
Here's more on it (from the Tourism office): http://tinyurl.com/ldrxrm
Ooh, and then there's the Nishinomiya Japanese Garden on my home turf. It's part of a 90-acre Olmsted Brothers-designed park.
http://www.manitogardens.com/japanese_garden/manito_japanesegarden.htm