A renowned inn quietly nestled in the Izu-Nagaoka areaIzu Nagaoka Onsen Sanyo-soHaving walked through its beautiful Japanese garden during our spring stay, we returned to this place again in a different season. The garden, which was adorned with delicate flowers in spring, is enveloped in lush greenery in summer, revealing a completely different face.
Built in the early Showa period as a second home for businessman Hisaya Iwasaki, the garden was designed by Jihei Ogawa VII, one of Kyoto's leading landscape architects.
This strolling-style Japanese garden, spanning approximately 3,000 tsubo (about 10,000 square meters), skillfully utilizes the natural terrain, with ponds, pathways, trees, and buildings arranged in a way that leads you to a new landscape with every step you take.
If a spring garden is filled with the softness of "flowers and light," then a summer garden exudes the powerful vitality of "greenery and shadows."
The gnarled red pine trees, their branches powerfully extending from trunks that have stood the test of time, tell the history of this garden simply by their presence. Rather than the buildings and nature competing with each other, they complement each other's beauty, creating a single, harmonious landscape. Perhaps that is the greatest charm of the gardens at Sanyoso.
The trees are a much deeper and more dazzling green than in spring. Lush green branches and leaves cover the sky, and even under the strong summer sun, a cool stillness hangs in the air in their shade.
As I walked along the garden path, sunlight occasionally filtered through the trees and fell on my feet, and the light and shadow slowly shifted with each gust of wind rustling the leaves. It made me realize how much the impression of the scenery can change depending on the season, even in the same garden.
The "Japanese Garden Cafe," held for a limited time in June at the main building, was a great success. Not only hotel guests, but also many general visitors came to enjoy a peaceful time amidst the garden. Due to its popularity, it is planned to be held again in the future. Spending a relaxing time while gazing at the scenery created by the historic sukiya-style building and garden—this unique way of enjoying Sanyo-so seems to be gradually expanding into new areas.
Stepping onto a hilltop overlooking the vast grounds, I was greeted by a landscape quite different from that of spring. The trees were lush with green leaves, and the buildings that were visible in the spring were now completely enveloped in deep green. Viewing it from the same spot made the changing seasons all the more vivid—a view unique to Sanyo-so in summer.
The garden path leading beyond the stone bridge quietly invites you into the depths of the garden, enveloped in lush greenery.
At the foot of the bridge, you'll be captivated by the beautiful sight of crape myrtle trees, a symbol of summer, in full bloom.
Against a backdrop of blue sky and lush greenery, crape myrtle trees bloom profusely at the tips of their branches. Their vibrant beauty rivals even the intense summer sun, yet they possess a certain coolness, adding a vivid splash of color to the garden.
Looking further towards the water, I spotted water hyacinths, a type of aquatic plant.
From among the leaves floating on the water's surface, bluish-purple flowers peek out, exuding a delicate yet somewhat alluring atmosphere. It's as if the colors of summer are gently emerging in the tranquil Japanese garden.
I was able to encounter the stone Buddha that had previously left a lasting impression on me, once again in the summer garden. Its figure stood quietly amidst the deep green foliage, nestled in the depths of a shrine carved into the rock face. As the seasons change, its unchanging presence evokes a sense of nostalgia.
In the spring garden, the carp swam gracefully, but in the summer, perhaps lured by the warmer weather, their movements seem somehow more agile. They swiftly cross the surface of the water, their vibrant forms appearing in view for just a moment before disappearing back into the depths.
As the seasons change, the sounds of birds give way to the chirping of cicadas, and even the movements of the carp swimming in the pond change. Encountering such small changes is one of the unique charms of a garden that exists in harmony with nature.
What's most pleasant about walking through a summer garden is the coolness you feel the moment you step into the shade of a tree. Even though the summer sun is beating down intensely outside, a breeze blows through beneath the trees, gradually releasing the heat that has enveloped your body. You naturally slow down your pace as you walk through the garden, stopping to look up at the trees or gaze at the surface of the water. In spring, you might walk through the garden chasing flowers, but in summer, you wander while searching for shade. This kind of seasonal enjoyment is unique to a vast, strolling garden.
After a stroll around the garden, we headed to the gazebo. We settled down in the shade and enjoyed the summer heat with our dog, Chocolat. Spending time away from the strong sunlight, listening to the rustling of leaves, is a luxurious summer experience in itself. Chocolat also took a rest in the comfortable shade.
Sanyo-so, enveloped in a deep, rich green, offers a different experience from when we walked through the garden in spring. As the seasons change, the scenery we see, the sounds we hear, and even the wind we feel all change in the same place. Because it is a garden where a new view appears with every step, we can slowly savor these differences. Spring has its own beauty, and summer has its own unique beauty. Walking through the lush green garden, admiring the flowers, watching the carp swimming in the water, and finally, quietly cooling off in the shade of the trees—summer at Sanyo-so is not just about splendor, but also a time to enjoy the coolness amidst the heat. With each passing season, you will want to visit again. That is the kind of lingering impression that Sanyo-so's Japanese garden leaves on you.
Izu Nagaoka Onsen Sanyo-so
Address: 270 Tamegami, Izunokuni City, Shizuoka Prefecture 410-2204
TEL: 055-947-1111
https://www.seibuprince.com/ja/sanyo-so-ryokan
