Shirotori Garden, Nagoya

Shirotori Garden in Nagoya offers visitors a tranquil escape into a traditional Japanese garden. Spanning approximately 3.7 hectares, the garden features a central pond that mimics the Kiso River's journey from Mount Ontake to Ise Bay. This design, titled “The History of Water,” emphasizes the importance of water in the natural landscape surrounding Nagoya and Aichi prefecture.

Originally planned to be a swan park, Shirotori Garden was instead developed into a “Japanese garden” pavilion for the World Design Expo of 1989. Renovations started in 1983 and concluded in 1991, with the garden opening to the public that same year. The name “Shirotori,” meaning white bird or swan, reflects both the garden's initial concept and its elegant design.

Visitors can enjoy a stroll along paths that wind through streams, ponds, hills, bamboo forests, waterfalls, and large rocks, creating a scenic mountain landscape. At the heart of the garden is Seiu-tei, a tea ceremony house designed to resemble a resting swan. Here, guests can experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, savoring green tea and confectionery while taking in the serene surroundings.

Additionally, Shioiri-tei, a restaurant and coffee shop, offers views of the Shioiri-no-niwa garden. This small garden showcases three expressions of water: ebbing waves, the spray of crashing waves, and the receding tides along a sandy beach and rocks. These features create a dynamic and ever-changing landscape, reflecting the interplay of sunlight and water.

Overall, Shirotori Garden beautifully encapsulates the essence of traditional Japanese garden design, emphasizing harmony with nature and providing a peaceful retreat for all who visit.