The Nitobi Memorial Gardens www.nitobe.org

In Canada’s most Asian of cities – it seemed appropriate to start out with a tour of an Asian Garden. The Nitobi Memorial Gardens are located on the UBC campus next door to the Center for Asian Studies. The gardens are an exquisite example of Japanese taste and style – containing a leisurely hour’s worth of peaceful walkways – with extensive water features, stone lanterns, native and imported botanical creations and a Tea House where ladies in kimonos conduct traditional Tea Ceremonies. Neither words nor photos can adequately convey the experience of strolling through these gardens in cherry blossom season.

From the Nitobe Memorial Garden Website www.nitobe.org

Welcome to the Nitobe Memorial Garden, a traditional Japanese garden located at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. It is considered to be the one of the most authentic Japanese Tea and Stroll Gardens in North America and among the top five Japanese gardens outside of Japan.

“I am in Japan,” was the reaction of the Crown Prince (now Emperor) of Japan as he walked through UBC’s renowned Nitobe Memorial Garden. The exquisite work of art was created out of two-and-a-half acres (one hectare) of pristine forest by landscape architects and gardeners recommended by the government of Japan.It honours Inazo Nitobe (1862-1933) whose goal was “to become a bridge across the Pacific.” Among many other memorials to him is his portrait on the 5000 yen note. Considered to be the best traditional, authentic Japanese Tea and Stroll Garden in North America and among the top five Japanese gardens outside Japan, the Nitobe Garden includes a rare authentic Tea Garden with a ceremonial Tea House. Each tree, stone and shrub has been deliberately placed and is carefully maintained to reflect an idealized conception and symbolic representation of nature. There is harmony among natural forms – waterfalls, rivers, forests, islands and seas – and a balance of masculine and feminine forces traditionally attributed to natural elements. Realizing that many native trees and shrubs could be trained and pruned in typical Japanese fashion, the garden’s creators incorporated them as unique features. Some maple and cherry trees and most of the azaleas and iris were brought from Japan. A place of reflection, where each step reveals a new harmony, the garden is designed to suggest a span of time – a day, a week or a lifetime – with a beginning, choice of paths, and ending. Although it is appreciated by all who visit, it is highly recommended Nitobe visitors take advantage of tours. Come in spring for the tree blossoms, in summer for irises, or fall for the maples. As in all of the other components of the UBC Botanical Garden, the subtleties of the Nitobe Memorial Garden can be enjoyed throughout the year: a reflecting pond with Koi, streams and waterfalls, magnificent stone lanterns and the teahouse, each unique and meaningful to the visitor’s enjoyment.

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The UBC Botanical Garden www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/

The University of British Columbia’s Botanical Garden and Plant Research Center is located just down the road from the Nitobe Memorial Garden. Founded in 1916, this is the oldest continuously operated university garden in Canada. At the time of year that we visited (early spring) it was a fascinating experience to stroll through the David C. Lam Asian Garden with its impressive collection of rhododendrons and magnolias that bloomed magnificently alongside herbaceous plants from areas such as Tibet, Japan, China, Korea and Manchuria. The canopy of native cedar, fir and hemlocks create a favourable micro-climate that shelters shade-loving perennials, rare shrubs and lush ferns below, and climbing wisteria, rose and clematis high above. Asian maples add vibrant colour and texture.

Also of interest in the Botanical garden at this time of year is the Alpine Garden where skillful landscape designs with rock outcrops simulate the varied conditions and native habitats of temperate alpine plants from around the world. Slow growing dwarf conifers, small tree species and alpines grow against a backdrop of rare and unusual climbing vines.

Included in our stroll, or rather – our hike (the Botanical Gardens are HUGE) – was A Walk in the Woods consisting of a series of trails at the far end of the Garden that traverse an extensive tract of undisturbed second growth native forest. All in all, it was quite wonderful to stroll past the exotic botanicals, smell the blossoms and forget for a little while about the two feet of snow bank that waited for us back home in Saskatchewan.

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Japan Bonsai www.japanbonsai.com

Our next destination was Japan Bonsai in White Rock where Bonsai Master Tak Yamaura has created an extensive bonsai nursery. Tak Yamaura received a degree in horticulture from the University of Agriculture in Tokyo back in 1968 and moved to Canada in 1970 where he established Japan Bonsai in White Rock, British Columbia (south of Vancouver near the U.S. border). He has become renowned in North America as a Bonsai Master and is recognized as one of Canada’s leading authorities on bonsai. Tak Yamaura is so driven by his undying passion and devotion to this ancient art that he dedicates himself to teaching and sharing his knowledge of bonsai with thousands of students every year. Tak is the president of the BC Bonsai Society and regularly lectures and gives demonstrations and workshops for the Wakayama Bonsai club, Taiwanese Bonsai Club, Mainland Garden Club, Vancouver Island Bonsai Club and the West Coast Bonsai Club. Tak encourages everyone to visit his beautiful 10 acre bonsai nursery for an unforgettable experience – whether it be to shop for a special gift or just to escape from the hustle and bustle of life for a little peace and serenity.

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