Letters from a Japanese Garden: In the Stillness of Blooming Trees
Tegami: Gratitude in Bloom
Japanese gardens have something special about them. I’ve visited more than I can count, and each and every one has left me feeling more content - and, strangely, excited to grow old.
During my first week of living in Japan, I visited another garden. Plum trees were blossoming, and I had never seen them bloom before. There were still a few hours before work started, so of course, I accepted my husband's plan and got ready.
The sun was shining, and even though it was still winter, spring was in the air. The cold was crisp, but a warmth lay beneath it all, and my excitement for the changing seasons grew stronger as I walked among the bright pink and crisp white trees.
I felt completely at home among the elderly visitors, all equipped with the latest cameras, and said what I always say when visiting a new garden:
"We need to come back when it’s a bit warmer and sit on the benches."
Every time, I imagine myself returning - with a good book and a bento box in hand - to spend hours in this newfound piece of nature. Japan is a quiet place. Even in Tokyo, where we are now, you can find moments of solitude. The only sounds are footsteps on stony paths, birds chirping, and gentle voices speaking in languages you don’t understand.
People walked slowly, soaking up the view, taking pictures of flowers and blooming trees. The world was slowing down. It was impossible not to feel grateful for being there, for being surrounded by others who cherished the little things. We all wanted to hold on to this moment of peace. Some took pictures to capture it, while others sat on benches with their eyes closed.
It felt like walking through water that reached your belly button. Everyone moved at their own pace while still being part of the whole, causing soft ripples - individual movements that, in turn, gently influenced everyone else. These sounds and movements drew you in, wrapped around you like a warm hug, and all you had to do was close your eyes and breathe.
It’s a feeling I can never get enough of.
It made me realize that while I enjoy the energy of big cities, I feel most at peace in nature; especially in beautiful gardens, cared for by people who not only do their best but pour their love and soul into their work.
I look forward to many more months of visiting Japanese gardens.
I look forward to growing old and spending time in nature with a bag filled with necessities: a book, a bento box, sunglasses, a blanket, a camera.
I look forward to sharing more thoughts shaped by my experiences in Japan.
Hope you’ll be back for the next one.
Thank you for reading.
またね.
Japanese gardens have this subtle magical soothing aura ✨ I love that the fallen leaves are never discarded, but the caretakers place those that fall on the path back into the soil instead, continuing the cycle of life as intended
One of my favorite places on earth.