Journeys in Japan - Hokkaido - Summer gardens under the northern sky [1080p]
Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost main island, turns into a paradise of flowers in spring and summer. After the harsh winter, plant life erupts in all its brilliant glory. It's a wonderful place to discover gardens.
The 250-kilometer highway from Asahikawa to Obihiro passes close to eight notable gardens. That is why it has come to be called the Hokkaido Garden Path. Each garden has its own individual character, setting, and vegetation.
Anthony Wood is a photographer from the United States who has lived in Japan for 10 years. His home state, Minnesota, has vast and abundant nature, much like Hokkaido. At the beginning of this trip, Anthony focuses his camera mostly on the beautiful flowers in full bloom. But as his journey continues and he meets the people behind the gardens, he trains his lens more on them.
On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Anthony embarks on a road trip through the far north of Japan, in search of beauty.
Ueno Farm Ueno Farm People come from all over Japan to visit this garden created by Sayuki Ueno, one of the most popular gardeners in the country.
16-186 Nagayama-cho, Asahikawa-shi, Hokkaido
Tel: +81-(0) 166-47-8741 (English OK)
Tokachi Millennium Forest Tokachi Millennium Forest This dynamic garden was created by British designer Dan Pearson, who found inspiration in the surrounding mountains and hills. The section known as the Earth Garden was carefully calculated to fit the undulations of the surrounding hills.
Jussen, Ha-obi Minami, Shimizu-cho, Hokkaido
Tel: +81-(0) 156-63-3000 (English OK)
Tokachi Hills Tokachi Hills The theme of this garden is food. The main plants here and the beans of Tokachi, alongside vegetables, cereal crops, fruit, herbs, and edible flowers. Besides being beautiful to look at, it also boasts a delicious restaurant. Hungarian chef Victor Moldován prepares dishes using fresh ingredients that he picks each day from the garden.
13-5 Nisshin Aza, Makubetsu-cho, Nakagawa-gun, Hokkaido
Tel: +81-(0) 155-56-1111 (in Japanese only)
Shichiku Garden Shichiku Garden The owner of this garden, Akiyo Shichiku, devoted herself to this project after her husband died. Her aim was to create a scenery of fields full of wild flowers, just like she remembers from when she was a child. After more than 20 years of constant effort, the result is this beautiful garden.
107 Yonsen Nishi, Biei-cho, Obihiro-shi
Tel: +81-(0) 155-60-2377 (in Japanese only)
Lake Shikaribetsu This is highest-altitude lake in Hokkaido. Visitors can take part in a range of outdoor activities, including canoeing.
(Nature Center) Shikaribetsu-kohan, Shikaoi-cho, Kato-gun, Hokkaido
Tel: +81-(0) 156-69-8181 (in Japanese only)
Daisetsu Mori-no Garden
This garden, produced by Sayuki Ueno (of Ueno Garden), has been created by using many different flowers that embody Hokkaido.
841-8 Kikusui, Kawakami-cho, Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido
Tel: +81-(0) 1658-2-4655 (in Japanese only)
Rokka-no Mori Rokka-no Mori This landscape-type garden was opened by a long established Hokkaido-based confectionery maker, Rokkatei. The aim was to create a scenery inspired by the designs of wild flowers and plants on the wrapping paper that the company has used since the old days.
249-6 Nishi-Sansen, Tokiwa, Nakasatsunai-mura, Kasai-gun, Hokkaido
Tel: +81-(0) 120-012-666 (in Japanese only)
Manabe Garden Manabe Garden This is the first garden in Japan in which the main attraction is the trees. Visitors can enjoy discovering the many different shapes and colors of their leaves.
6 Nisen, Inada-Higashi, Obihiro-shi, Hokkaido
Tel: +81-(0) 155-48-2120 (in Japanese only)
Kaze-no Garden Kaze-no Garden This garden became famous in Japan after being used as the setting for a television drama. It was also produced by Sayuki Ueno.
Shin-Furano Prince Hotel, Nakagoryo, Furano-shi, Hokkaido
Tel: +81-(0) 167-22-1111 (English OK)