Name: Nanko Kôen  Nanko Koen Photo: Patrick Ward   Alternate Name: Nanko Koen; Suirakuen  Address:   Mailing Address:   City: Shirakawa-machi  State: Fukushima-ken  Postal Code:   Country: JAPAN  Latitude/Longitude: lat=37.0133; long=140.21667 Find Gardens Nearby Phone:   Fax:   E-Mail:   Contact:   Designer(s): Matsudaira Sadanobu  Contruction Date: 1801  Public/Private: PUBLIC  Hours: Open 9am - 5pm; closed Mondays and 12/28-12/31 Holiday period  Admission:   Added to JGarden: 1/1/1998  Last Updated: 8/3/2002  Sources: Patrick Ward, Cairo, George.  JGarden Description: Located 10 minutes by bus from Shin-Shirakawa Station, Nanko Koen (Nanko 'south lake'; koen means 'park') is approximately 25 acres of lake, cherry trees, and red pine hills crowned by the superb Suirakuen Pavilion and Garden. The park was the first in Japan opened to the public. Prior to this, pleasure grounds had existed only for the nobility and samurai. The Suirakuen Pavillion and Garden (admission charge) is a delight to stroll in, complete with waterfalls, rustic bridges, and "borrowed scenery" from neighboring mountains. Inside then pavilion itself, one may take in an abbreviated tea ceremony while admiring the reflections in the miniature lake.

A bit of water here, There, between the trees - The sea! Umi sukoshi Niwa ni izumi no Ko no ma ka na.   Sogi   trans. by M.V. Otake