It's probably difficult to understand how two cities standing over eight thousand kilometres apart could be linked by nature...but they are. Adelaide, Australia and Himeji, Japan share a bond of...umm, family I guess, as the two cities are considered sister cities, and a garden forms a physical connection.
This relationship began on April 19th 1982 when the ancient Japanese city of Himeji and the not-so-ancient Australian city of Adelaide became sisters and to symbolize the bond of friendship between the two cities the Himeji Garden was created in Adelaide and opened in April 1985. I think it's nice considering not all that long ago the two countries were fighting a brutal war in the Pacific during World War Two.
The garden itself was devised and created by way of a joint-effort between local specialists here in Adelaide and the Kumada Gerdening CO. LTD. of Himeji; the result of the collaboration is a lovely garden on the southern fringe of the Adelaide CBD in which locals and tourists can come to find peace and in which to reflect.
There's two styles of Japanese gardens represented here. The senzui style (lake and mountain garden) and the kare senzui (dry garden) and (unfortunately) my images don't do it justice...but will give you and idea at least.
While I was at the garden recently I met the head gardener, one of the three who tend the gardens seven days a week, and we chatted.
It's specialised gardening and he and his team are incredibly passionate about it. I commented that it would be an amazing place to work all day and he just grinned and nodded in agreement. I also commented about the lack of signage letting people know it was there, a small easily-missed sign is all there is, and he told me he's happy with that, keeping it somewhat a secret suits him as large numbers of visitors can be detrimental to it. It's certainly somewhat of a secret as I have yet to meet anyone who has even heard of it...including myself until a few days ago.
I enjoyed my time in the garden and taking the time to wander around and to sit in contemplative reflection; I found myself relaxing, letting go of thought, stress, worry and concern all of which were replaced with a sense of inner peace; nature has that effect on me anyway, but here it seemed more easily found. It was a nice moment and one I'll repeat at these very gardens again soon.
Thanks for scrolling through my images; feel free to comment if you'd like or maybe tell me about the place where you feel centred, where you're able to find peace through the release of life's stressors, worries and complexities.
Design and create your ideal life, tomorrow isn't promised - galenkp
[Original and AI free]
Every image in this post is my own.
My Samsung S22 Ultra smartphone was used to capture these images.
Australia, the home of Silverchair and INXS, two of my absolute favourite band ever! And of course, a country as gorgeous as your pictures. Wow. mindblowing, @galenkp, just astonishing.
Australia is an amazing country and I feel blessed to have been born and raised here. There's so many places to see (it's a vast country) and I've been fortunate enough to have seen much of it personally.
Thanks for commenting, I'm glad you liked the photos.
Beautiful work of yours, friend.
Ahh it’s so pretty, I love this style of garden.
Yep, I agree it's got a little of everything and a lot of effort goes into the design. I have pamphlet with a list of the design aspects in it with some explanations but didn't want to make this post too long. Maybe I'll do it later on some stage.
How nice. No doubt it would be a very visited place for me. You have me in love with Australia with those pictures.😍🙏✨
Australia is a very beautiful country with an incredibly diverse mix of natural places and cosmopolitan cities...I'm very fortunate to have been born and raised here. This garden is just one example of many places I think you'd love to see.
Your clicks are top notch. The first picture with the water reflection is beautiful.
It's nice to know about the dedication of the head gardener and his team, who work tirelessly to maintain this hidden gem. The idea of keeping it a secret is quite unique and I hope that's for the best.
It's lovely that you had a chance to enjoy visiting this beautiful garden and I appreciate you sharing your experience and these beautiful pictures.
Thanks, I appreciate it. I guess it's incredible how far phone cameras have come right?
This garden certainly was a nice place to visit and I'll be back there soon I think and will take a book along with me next time...a nice place to sit and read.
It's absolutely incredible. Now we don't need to carry a huge camera to capture something stunning.
Your Samsung S22 Ultra is a great camera phone as far as I know.
Sounds cool, I can imagine how pleasing it'd be.
Yeah, the S22 Ultra has great ability, there's five lenses on it plus the front selfie camera lens also. Bonkers really.
I'm looking forward to get one. How's the front lens, btw? Is it good enough? And what about the stability for video shoot?
I don't use the video so am not sure how it looks but the selfie camera seems reasonable I guess, I don't take many selfies other,but on occasions I have and they seem to look ok.
Sounds good then.
And the video camera should've a good stabilization for smartphone in this price range. I'm just confused about this cause I didn't find the stabilization good for Samsung S21 FE.
Nice photos! It's always therapeutic to be in the nature! :)
Thanks, I appreciate that. There's something about nature that makes me feel so nice inside...maybe it just brings me back to my roots as a cave man?
Hehe!
The garden looks perfect, man. Definitely a place I'd like to be there all day and enjoy. I love being out in nature when I'm overwhelmed too. Sitting on the grass and getting rid of the electricity in my body helps a lot.
I always gain a lot of value through spending time in/with nature and this garden was another place I have added to my list of places to go. It was a really great garden and I'll be back again.
I think it is a place to visit again and again. By the way, I just realized that you changed your profile picture. It looks great.
Yeah, I changed it a week or so ago, just for something different. I suppose I get bored with the same one all the time although I notice many others do not change their own. Oh well, I'm happy to keep mine updated and that's all that matters I suppose.
Yeah, I changed mine twice or something like that I guess. I love this one but if I get bored I'd change too
You are very perceptive, thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to give me the attention by way of this comment. I have rewarded this excellent remark with a vote with my compliments. Enjoy; and please, comment some more, they're incredibly entertaining.
I've only been to Himeji once. I was there for two days, but I spent the entire time at the historic Himeji castle so I didn't see anything else. The castle was amazing, considered by many the best castle in Japan. I forget the exact date I was there but it was sometime during New Years vacation. As such, almost every store was closed, so my wife and I were forced to buy convenience store food to eat for dinner and lunch. I'd like to go back one of these days and explore more.
The castle grounds did have some gardens, but nothing like what you are showing in your photos. Wow! That looks like an amazing place. Japanese gardens are really incredible, and that one no exception!
The idea of sister cities is interest. A few years ago my home state, Indiana, made an effort to attract more Japanese business to the state. I'm not sure the reasoning behind that, but it worked, and now Indiana has the second highest number of Japanese businesses in the US, around 210. Along with the businesses came a host of sister city connections. So many cities in Indiana now have sister cities in Japan and small Japanese gardens that their sister city helped build.
I'm not sure what's behind the sister city thing to be honest, I've never been that interested in the concept, but I'm certainly interested in nature and gardens and this one was a good one for sire. I can't believe I didn't know of its existence but I do now and I'll be back for sure.
It certainly is a paradise, these photographs show a wonderful place.
When I was looking at them I felt a peace and admired such an enormous beauty!
The 1, 3 and 6 are the ones I like the most but the whole set, I repeat, is a paradise, I love it.
Wowwwwwwwwww what a marvel, really. I hope you go again and bring us more beauties, I would love it.
Nature has that effect, it happens to me especially with the sea, maybe because of a special connection with water, but also when I go to the botanical garden.
If everything goes well in a few hours I'm going to a place I've never been to before, the last beach in the city, which I've been told is beautiful!
I hope to get some good shots!
Thanks Galen for this marvel!
I'll be going there arain and will take my camera next time to grab some shots as there were some great photo opportunities. Nature is a nice place to spend time, it feeds the soul right?
I had a bad start today.... when I arrived there was like a sandstorm in Africa and the horizon looked ugly. And there was fog... another day, but it's paradisiacal! The pictures were missing hahaha
Yes, every day I love nature more and more, I'll wait for those shots.
What a beautiful garden in Adelaide! If I were here surely I would love strolling around the place and feeling the serenity. Perhaps it always feels so good to unwind in amazing places like this. Have a nice time!
It's somewhere I'd expect a tourist would want to visit, one who liked nature of course, those who do not would probably find it quite boring. I loved it though, and I'll be back.
I think the images are very nice. You can see that Japanese spirit... everything has a symmetry, a complexity that at the same time looks simple. I don't know how to explain, since I am not an expert gardener.
I imagine that by being there, and connecting with that beautiful energy that the garden has, from its very conception of twinning two cities, and everything else, you felt inspired and happy.
It is admirable what those people who maintain it do. It looks impeccable.
(My backyard stresses me-relaxes me-stresses me and in the end makes me happy. And in the last 48 hours a fox has arrived to shake my Zen spirit) 😁
Japanese gardens can be very structured from a meaning perspective however they often bring together different elements so don't necessarily feel formally laid out as some of the European gardens are, like in France for instance. This one is very cool.
I think you've got a good relationship with your garden, although if you minimised the stress and maximised the relaxation it might be better again...for you and the Cuban tree-climbing fox in your recent post.
😂😉 Thank you. I will keep this in mind.
It is very rare to find a park that has links between two cities in two countries, such as Adelaide and Himeji. It's very historical and relatable. Your narrative is very informative about posting a place. I really appreciate posts like this; they increase the knowledge of readers and people who follow you, like me.
I really agree with your statement that you can do contemplative reflection in the park you have visited. The presence of a park should be for that function, not just for greening the city and just for the beauty of the city.
Have a nice day.
Thanks for taking a look at my posts and your comment also. I wonder, are there gardens of thins nature in your area that the public can visit?
Yes, we have it, but it is not as luxurious and representative yet as the park in your post.
At least the public can access several green open-space parks in the middle of a dense and highly polluted city.
On weekends, people can be seen filling several city parks. But more people come directly to several natural tourist attractions, which are abundant around us. Tropical areas are still very beautiful to visit, even though they still appear to be completely unmanaged, except in Bali and a few other areas throughout the country.
I think many cities have areas that are not well maintained, I guess it comes down to cost.
It is an extremely pleasant place, I imagine painting a picture or writing poetry there. It's beautiful, thank you for showing us these beautiful photographs.
I think it would be a perfect place for writing, reading, painting and such things as it feels so peaceful and relaxing...conducive to thought and reflection.
Thanks for taking a look at for commenting too.
That is a wonderful garden. I can see a large variety of trees and plants. It looks very peaceful, and quiet. I do agree with the gardener a bit about not wanting a lot of people to visit to make it easier to maintain. But it is a big shame not showing something so beautiful.
I think most people simply do not know these gardens are here, I certainly didn't and I've lived here all my life. I know now though...and I'd rather it's kept secret so I can enjoy it without other people there. 😉
I found it very interesting to learn about the history of this garden. I really didn't know it. Great way to start a sisterhood, isn't it?
It looks like the head gardener is dedicated to it. It must take a lot of effort to keep the areas so well kept. I like the circles they made on the stones.
What a beautiful place. And to see it like this, almost without people, is what I like the most. I am a lover of quiet places with few people. Thank you for sharing. I was able to visit it, with my eyes 😃
It's a very well put together and maintained garden and clearly the three gardeners do a great job; there'd be a lot of work involved and they're constantly at it, but the result is a place those who know about the garden can enjoy.
Thanks for taking a look at my post and for commenting.
Wow, that is so beautiful! I got to visit a Japanese garden when I was in Brooklyn a long time ago and I remember it was awesome.
They do it pretty well huh?
I'm really keen to get to Japan and see it for myself, my sister in-law is Japanese so I'll get some inside scoops on the best things to see and will probably be able to avoid the tourist traps, but for the moment this garden in my own city will suffice. I have driven past this thing for so many years and simply had no idea it was there. Bonkers really.
Sounds like you definitely have the inside scoop! I'd probably try to touch base with @dbooster if I ever made it to Japan. He's become a good friend here on the chain and he lives there currently.
Yeah, I heard he lives there and he seems to be a reasonable chap.
These photos 😍
I like the fact that I don't see any other humans around the garden, it definitely adds to the serene ambiance 😅
Pretty cool right?
I really enjoyed this place and will certainly be going back. It was quite free of others also, a few wandered in but not many and that's just how I liked it. I laid on the grass in dappled sunlight filtering through the tree-foliage and found a nice moment of peace and quiet. #neededit
Yeah I'm sure I would enjoy myself in such an amazing place as well!
Basking in the sunlight with a 20+ degree weather with few human traffic, what is there to complain? 😜
Man, I'm telling you...it's sometimes so needed and the value it brings...well, you seem to understand.
Say no more! You're tempting me to fly over right now 😅
Hello, you are very lucky.
Being able to relax in those gardens is a unique experience. Thank you for those beautiful images, I enjoyed them from Venezuela. 😊
It was a rather nice place to spend some time, I'm glad you liked the images and took the time to comment.
Beautiful photos galenkp really look like very professional photos I would live happily in a place like this.
It's a very beautiful garden and one I think could become one of my regular places to visit.
Thanks for your comment, I appreciate it.
Look at this gem! I agree with. The gardener though! Too many people would ruin this place and it would loose its edge. I like the beach early morning, very few people are around! Cleans the soul!
It's pretty cool right? The gardener was a fairly young fellow, clearly passionate about it and seemingly very knowledgeable too. I think he wants to keep it secret, not that it's his choice though, that's up to the local government Council...but it's surely an great place to work.
The beach is good too, I'm only minutes away from it so I understand the attraction.
Very cool! I guess you found a new spot to write your manuscript!
Yeah, I miss being minutes away from the beach as well. But life changes hey. We just gotta do what's best for the game plan!
Oh yeah, I could see myself sitting in one of the nooks writing.
I understand, it's one thing to give in to our wants but another to work towards our needs I guess...sometimes something has to give right? I get it.
The garden is really cool. I like it as there are no many people around. One can really have a great time relaxing because the ambiance of the place is so wow.
Cool indeed, and no people...just me, which I was happy about.
Aw, that's so great.
I was not aware of these terms of japanese gardening senzui style and kare senzui style.
This is indeed looking a piece of heaven. Garden is looked like a painting.
Every new day is a day in which one can learn right?
These gardens are pretty great for sure, I'll be a regular there...I might set up a tent and live there.
Wow, the images shown alone relieve me of stress and worries. The sister cities. This is great. I don't know if you'd mind me posting this on Twitter. It looks so enchanting to let go off.
One of the tasks out for the zealy campaign is to share anyone's post on X and make people want to have it read. I think this will do the magic.
I really hate Twitter (X) so would prefer you didn't put it on there.
Haha, no problem. Thanks for the response
It's such a meaningful line @galenkp Life is unpredictable and we don't know what will happen in the next moment so it's better to live each moment.
What a beautiful garden it is and there is a lot of greenery around. The design and style of the garden is excellent.
There sure was a lot of greenery around in that garden and it was a nice place to spend some time.
I love your photography it looks like their alive, the gardens are so refreshing and clean. Good to stay here during stressful times.
The garden was incredibly well-maintained and is a credit to those three gardeners I mentioned who maintain it seven days a week. It was a really nice place to visit, peaceful, and I'll be going back again.
Man..what a lovely place to spend quality time in.
It surely was and I made full use of it. I'll be back for sure - A hidden gem.
Awesome <3
You can really breathe a lot of peace and tranquility in that place, besides the colorful and organized garden, it is very nice. Thanks for sharing.
It certainly was a tranquil place to spend some time and I'm looking forward to going back. Are you a nature lover?
Yes, every chance I get I like to visit the countryside and the beach. A good part of my childhood was very close to nature. You completely disconnect when you are in nature.
Wow, mate. This garden is really beautiful 😍❣️.
Looks like you visited a part of heaven.
It was really great.
Death comes to all eventually.
Thanks for your valid and pertinent comment on my post, thanks for using the precious time you have in your day to do so.
I gave this a comment a vote commensurate to its value and quality. Enjoy.
Greetings, dear, @galenkp, it is a special natural temple to enjoy a walk and a simple meditation. Thank you for giving me your beautiful pictures 😍
You're welcome. I appreciate you taking the time to look at the post and comment also.
A nice place and the sky is quite clear.There are many beautiful plants in the garden.
Clear skies and beautiful plants...seems like a good mix to me, what do you think?
For me too. Very good combination.. What's more, taking pictures with a smart cellphone will definitely produce good results
beautiful Oz and Japan
Indeed.
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STOPThe garden sounds just lovely - I can imagine strolling along the paths and bridges, taking in the serene landscape. And keeping the garden relatively hidden makes it feel more special, like a secret oasis.
For me, being by the ocean is very calming. Sitting on the beach, listening to the waves, looking out at the vast horizon - it all helps me feel centered and at peace, if only for a little while. Even the smell of the salty air is relaxing!
It sure is nice, as is being by the ocean as you mention. Anywhere a person can take some time to relax and find some peace in this busy lifestyle we have is a good thing.
You're absolutely right, it's so important to find pockets of peace and stillness in the midst of our often busy, hectic lives.
Even taking a few minutes to pause and breathe deeply or sit quietly can help calm the mind and body. It's a good reminder to prioritize those times of centering no matter how we may come by them. Wishing you many peaceful moments ahead.
Demasiado hermosas esas fotos, me encanta tu contenido, mucho éxito..
I'm sorry, I don't speak or read Spanish, but thank's for your comment.
Sorry...
Thanks for your empathy, I appreciate your kind thoughts and the time you devoted to making this comment. In thanks, I've given this comment a vote as a form of thanks. Enjoy.