I visited Kyoto Garden for the first time after moving to London this summer. I had plans to visit Japan in October, as autumn is my favourite season, but I had to cancel due to a change in circumstances. I've been dreaming of going to Japan since I was a teenager, and it wasn't an easy decision to make.
I thought about learning more about Japanese culture here in London until I can finally make the trip. I had heard so much about Kyoto Garden, so it made sense to go there. On a weekday, I left home in the morning to visit Kyoto Garden located in Holland Park. I would like to go before it's flooded with tourists, as it's a popular spot in London.
The journey to Kyoto Garden took nearly two hours, but it was worth it, as I didn't expect to find a corner of Japan in London. It was my first time seeing a Japanese garden in real life, and it was breathtaking and an oasis of calm in a busy city.
Kyoto Garden: A Symbol Of Friendship In London
Before setting off on my journey, I tried to find out more about Kyoto Garden and why there was a corner of Japan in London. Kyoto Garden is a gift from the city of Kyoto to the city of London, as a symbol of friendship between Japan and the UK. The garden opened in 1991 and was designed by Shoji Nakahara.
It isn't just a symbol of the friendship between Japan and the UK, but the garden is also to mark the 1992 Japan Festival in London, which is still held each year. I attended the Japan Matsuri in Trafalgar Square for the first time this summer, and you can watch my vlog from the festival by following this link.
My interest in Japanese culture began with anime, then gradually shifted towards music, food, movies and dramas. As much as I'm interested in the culture, I've never been to Japan, so there's still a lot for me to learn. That's why I visited Kyoto Garden, and it was an amazing experience to walk around the garden, listening to the waterfall while standing by the koi pond.
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| A stone lantern by a koi pond with a yellow koi in Kyoto Garden |
An Oasis Of Calm In London
Life has been unpredictable since starting over in London last summer. I'm still trying to find my place in this beautiful city, and spending a few minutes in Kyoto Garden gave me a much-needed moment of peace. It was such a serene moment to stand by the koi pond and watch the wildlife while listening to the waterfall.
Things haven't been easy for me since I moved to London, but I've found peace while walking around the garden. Nothing mattered but the colourful koi swimming in the pond, the bright colours of autumn, the soothing sound of the waterfall and the fallen leaves paving the ground. The garden isn't big and can be explored in a few minutes, but it's such an oasis of calm in a busy city like London.
It felt like taking a stroll in the garden of an old Japanese house; it was a beautiful and healing moment. After walking around the garden, I sat at a bench to look at the people taking photos in front of the waterfall. I spent less time exploring Kyoto Garden than I did travelling there, but it was worth it. I highly recommend adding Kyoto Garden to your list of places to visit in London!
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