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Plum Blossoms at Sankeien

S ankeien Garden 三溪園 in Yokohama is a favorite during spring, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. But not to be missed are the plum blossoms and other flowers. Here are some I took in mid-March.

A walk with a friend at Sankeien Garden

A walk with a friend at Sankeien Garden

Flowers at Sankeien in spring

Flowers at Sankeien in spring

The plum blossom festival is held in March, where tea prepared over coal fire is served free. Make sure to visit the garden’s official website to check the duration of the service! They adjust the period based on how long the plum blossoms are out.

Tea around a fire at Sankeien

Tea around a fire at Sankeien

Dango is a popular menu here. There are more than a dozen “flavors”, and there is always a line of people waiting their turn to choose. 団子 “Dango” are dumplings, usually served in threes on a stick. 

Dango or dumplings sold at Sankeien

Dango or dumplings sold at Sankeien

The one in the middle is called 三色だんご or tricolor dango, and has sweet bean paste inside. In the foreground is 醤油だんご dango with soy sauce and dried laver seaweed. The one in the background is a simple きなこだんご dango with ground soybean.

A kominka at Sankeien

A kominka at Sankeien

There are several traditional houses in the garden. One of the 古民家 “kominka” or old folk house is open to the public—you can actually go inside and take pictures. Needless to say, you have to take off your shoes. The floor’s freezing in March so best to wear thick socks!

Lake at Sankeien

Lake at Sankeien

In the middle of the garden is a lake. Many people like to sit on the grassy area around the lake and eat box lunches. Or feed the carp: bread sticks are conveniently sold at the small restaurant inside the garden 🙂

The pagoda seen through a tree.

The pagoda seen through a tree.

A Li’l Bit o’ History

The 外苑 “gaien” or outer garden was opened to the public in 1906. A pagoda built during the Muromachi period (mid 14th to late 16th century) in Kyoto has been moved to the garden and now stands as its symbol. That’s why you somehow get a “Kyoto” feel about the garden :). On the other hand, the 内苑 “naien” or inner garden was formerly the private garden of the Hara family. It was built at the beginning of the Edo period (early 17th to late 19th century). Now it features old folk houses and the gardening style of that period.

On a clear day Sankeien Garden is lovely, perfect for that energetic bit of (very) mini-hiking and flower photography. Highly recommended in spring.

How to Get There

From Yokohama Station’s East Exit go to bus stand No. 2 and take the No. 8 or 148 bus. Get off at Sakuramichi (most people get off here to stroll past the cherry trees outside the garden, instead of getting off at Honmoku-Sankeienmae).
横浜駅東口 2番乗り場《市バス8・148系統》約35分 本牧三溪園前下車・徒歩約3分

External Link

Sankeien Garden – official site. You can download an English-language pamphlet here.

I Would Love to Hear from You!

So, what do you think of this article? For those who have been to Sankeien, any other tips? Please share your thoughts and opinions in the Comments section below.

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4 comments

  1. hanS /

    Very nice photos! Makes me want to visit the park 🙂 The dango looks delish!

  2. Nali /

    You take nice pics! My friends & I went to Sankeien last year. During sakura season. But we didnt know about dango. Next time, I’ll try!

  3. Free hot tea on a cold March day; nice!

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