KURIMOTO JAPANESE GARDEN in Edmonton, Alberta

Entrance to the Kurimoto Japanese Garden in Edmonton

The Kurimoto Japanese Garden is another highlight of the U of A Botanic Gardens. I find this Japanese garden very beautiful and relaxing.

Its natural glades and artificial lake, multi-drop waterfall, rock formations and stone ornaments including a multi-tiered pagoda adhere to the principles of Japanese gardening.

A tall pagoda at one end of the wooden bridge over a pond

Greenery, predominantly of evergreen shrubs and pine trees, carries the bulk of the beauty of this garden instead of blooms; for while flowers explode and excite at certain times and then wilt to oblivion, evergreens with outstanding forms and shapes sustain their desirable presence season after season and even the whole year round. Subdued colors and clean lines calm the senses, yet delicate drama is never lacking in this garden.

The Aga Kahn Garden (shown above, left photo) and the Kurimoto Japanese Garden (shown above, right photo) are great study in horticultural style. The Aga Kahn Garden's clever use of strong geometric patterns, light and water makes the garden memorable while the Kurimoto Japanese Garden's reliance on controlled color palette and subtle, gracious lines make what might appear simple surprisingly beautiful. The two gardens, in contrasting ways, celebrate the spirit and uplift the soul.

A wooden bridge, typical of Japanese gardens, creates a beautiful tableau with the reflecting pond

For garden lovers and the general public ---visitors and Edmonton locals alike --- the U of A Botanic Gardens is one destination for pleasure, leisure, relaxation and inspiration - all for an entrance fee of less than C$20. For me, in fact, I feel I get to see three distinct gardens for the price of one. My gardens tour actually ends up being FREE. What a deal!

Yes, happiness and peace and beauty can be priceless.