Located in the sky over Project Hope Island is the simply named Japanese Garden, the work of the wonderfully named Sharpy Fhang. It’s a place perfectly described by its name, sitting as it does cupped within the palm of surrounding hills above which a morning Sun is casting its rays to create an aurora-like treetop haze before falling across a Zen garden winding between the trees and through torii gates.
Walk and explore the Japanese Garden at Project Hope. Come and explore, sit and reflect, visit the music garden, or just enjoy the sounds of the waterfalls and feel the serenity at this inspirational garden of peace and happiness.
– Japanese Garden at Project Hope Destination Guide description
This is a place of sublime peace and beauty, where the sound of water bubbling along little brooks and streams harmonises with the call of birdsong whilst lanterns and lamps illuminate the many paths, silent guides for visitors ready to explore the garden and all it has tucked within it.
These paths are all unhurried in the directions they take or in the time they takes to reach anywhere in particular; there is no reason to hurry; places to sit are plentiful, pools of gravel set aside of gentle dancing contrast with the large central body of water spanned by a large bridge alongside of with lanterns gently float. The land climbs gently as it moves further away from the Landing Point, flattened stone steps placed in little groups as if easing the ascent further.
Fed by streams the bubble down to it through narrow channels, sometimes ducking under rocks before reappearing the central large pond reflects natural and artificial light in gentle ripples, koi carp swimming just under the its surface. The paths loop gently around it, whilst red crowned crane wads its shallows, content to share the water with the fish below rather than trying to make a meal of them.
A small hot spring borders the pond for those who feel the need to soothe tired muscles, whilst at its upper end where water from one of the garden’s streams enters it, a further sign of harmony can be found as cats and songbirds share a little plank bridge, content to sit and sleep together as the water trips over stones and rocks below them.
Whichever branch of the paths visitors take from the Landing Point, they all eventually meet with one another, allowing the waters of the garden to be circumnavigated and the gentle climb up to the northern end of the gardens to be completed.
Take the path offered by the red bridge and it will pass by way of a pagoda-like bell tower and a gated entrance and a cobblestone path reaching out to a bench overlooked by a tall waterfall. Skirt the edge of the pond in the other, and you might find yourself passing little shelters, shrines and a place to enjoy steaming delicacies (just don’t disturb the cats!).
The most northern end of the garden is the preserve of a large single-floored house. Open to the public, it features two large wings of two rooms apiece, a linking hallway passing over waters flowing out from the falls just behind the house.
It is here that the music retreat in the Garden’s description can be found, complete with a koto for those who wish to play it. For those who might find the hot springs a little too much like broiling themselves, there is a large cold water pool sitting between the house and the cobbled path out to the waterfall overlook.
There is one little quirk within the setting which may not be immediately obvious. It sits overhead as if watching over the gardens and appears accessible to anyone visiting, although I didn’t spot any obvious means of getting up to it other than a sit TP. It’s a quirky little addition to the garden below, yet somehow it still “fits”.
With plenty of opportunities for wandering or spending time in solo contemplation or with a friend, Japanese Garden at Project Hope is a peaceful and engaging setting – an ideal spot for recharging one’s batteries.
Slurl Details
- Japanese Garden at Project Hope (Project Hope Island, rated Moderate)
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 