Gerard Taaffe - The Japan Times

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Gerard Taaffe

For Gerard Taaffe's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

COMMUNITY

Apr 26, 2000

Celebrating the other Korakuen: Okayama

If I were asked to describe this garden with just one word, I would definitely choose "fantastic."

ENVIRONMENT

Apr 12, 2000

Genkyu-en Garden and the House of Ii

The Tokugawa Period has long ended, but dotted around the country there are remains in the form of castles (originals or replicas), yashiki (the residences of the daimyo ruling class) and of course the magnificent gardens with which the yashiki were adorned. Indeed, in most cases only the garden remains; the palaces are gone.

LIFE / Travel

Mar 22, 2000

Oberland -- garden of springtime delights

In the western part of Hyogo Prefecture, nestled among broadleaf deciduous forests at the foot of Mount Hyo-no-sen (1,510 meters), lies Oberland Garden (also known as Tajima Kogen Botanical Garden). First opened to the public in June 1997, Oberland has a total area of 17 hectares, and boasts over 1,300 species and cultivars of plants.

COMMUNITY

Mar 8, 2000

The charms of Rinshi no Mori Park

A quiet woodland oasis in the heart of Tokyo, with many tall majestic trees, some of which are rarely seen in other metropolitan parks. Plenty of wild birds and insects. A small campsite (open from the beginning of May until the end of October). A play area for very small children, a paddling pond and an adventure play area for older children.

ENVIRONMENT

Feb 23, 2000

Building tropical paradise on a trash heap

Yumenoshima is a man-made island in Koto Ward, Tokyo.

COMMUNITY

Feb 9, 2000

Down by the waterside in Mizumoto Park

Even in Tokyo there is such a place: a park with large open spaces, where a whole family can enjoy picnics, barbecues, camping, flowers and beautiful trees, catch fish and watch birds. Look no further than Mizumoto Park.

LIFE / Travel

Jan 26, 2000

The wild daffodils of Awaji Island

Awaji Island (area 590 sq. km), administratively part of Hyogo Prefecture, is located in the Inland Sea between Kobe and Tokushima in Shikoku. It is the largest island in the Inland Sea, and was once a separate province.

COMMUNITY

Jan 12, 2000

Camellias and camels on Izu Oshima

Izu Oshima has another special attraction: the camellia park. The whole park has an area of 327 hectares, including the camellia garden, a small zoo and a campground known as Umi no Furusato Mura, situated close to the Goze River, all managed by the Tokyo Parks Department.

ENVIRONMENT / GARDENING FOR ALL

Dec 22, 1999

Getting away from it all on Izu's Big Island

Ura-Izu-Oshima Part 1

ENVIRONMENT / GARDENING FOR ALL

Dec 8, 1999

The natural treasures of Kinomiya Shrine

Atami in Shizuoka, along with Beppu in Kyushu and Shirahama in Wakayama, is well known for its hot springs.

ENVIRONMENT / GARDENING FOR ALL

Nov 24, 1999

A mountainous garden undertaking for all

Rikugien in Tokyo is the last in this series on gardens built in old Edo (modern Tokyo) by daimyo under the Tokugawa military government (bakufu) between 1603 and 1868.

ENVIRONMENT / GARDENING FOR ALL

Nov 10, 1999

Brighten up your balcony with spring bulbs

No garden, no matter how small, is complete unless it has some spring bulbs, and this is the time to buy and plant your garden or container with your favorites. Bulbs are inexpensive, especially considering the joy they give. In recent years more and more bulb varieties have become available in garden centers across Japan.

ENVIRONMENT / GARDENING FOR ALL

Oct 27, 1999

Hemlocks murmur in Kasuga's forest primeval

NARA -- Japan's first permanent capital, Heijo-kyo, was built on the Yamato plain where the modern city of Nara is located. Heijo-kyo was founded in the year 710 (from which year the Nara Period is dated) with a design based on that of the contemporaneous Chinese Tang Dynasty capital Changan.

ENVIRONMENT / GARDENING FOR ALL

Sep 22, 1999

Borrowing scenery for a lord's lagoon

A short distance from the center of Wakayama City, on an inlet very close to the sea, is a flat piece of land called Suiken, where a well-preserved daimyo garden known as Yosui-en stands.

ENVIRONMENT / GARDENING FOR ALL

Aug 11, 1999

Nopporo's wild north woods

Nopporo Woodland Park, located approximately 15 km east of central Sapporo in Hokkaido, is huge, with a total area of 2,051 hectares. It is rare to find such a large and wonderful park so close to a major city in Japan. The citizens of Sapporo, Ebetsu and Hiroshimacho are privileged to have this natural amenity right on their doorstep.

ENVIRONMENT / GARDENING FOR ALL

Jul 14, 1999

Sendai garden lets it all hang out

Garden designers around the country could take a few ideas from the Sendai Yasoen (Wild Flower Garden) by using more native plants in their own designs.

ENVIRONMENT / GARDENING FOR ALL

Jun 23, 1999

Sapporo garden faces climatic challenge

Sapporo Municipal Botanic Garden, better known as Toyohira Garden, is well off the tourist trail, but highly recommended. The garden is situated in Toyohira-ku, approximately 3 km south of Sapporo Station, just across the wide Toyohira River.

ENVIRONMENT / GARDENING FOR ALL

Jun 9, 1999

The hills are alive with alpine plants

I had been looking forward to visiting Hokkaido ever since I came to Japan in September 1990. People were always telling me how lovely Hokkaido is, especially during the summer: Its wide open spaces are reminiscent of the countryside in Ireland or England.

ENVIRONMENT / GARDENING FOR ALL

May 27, 1999

Respect for the forest's elders

The Hokkaido University Botanic Garden is situated right in the heart of Sapporo, within easy reach of Sapporo Station. I really love to see trees grown at their best, and for those of you who feel the same, a visit to this garden is essential.

ENVIRONMENT / GARDENING FOR ALL

May 13, 1999

A miniature blending of landscapes

In Tokyo, there are quite a number of historic gardens that were built by the daimyo during the long Tokugawa shogunate (1603-1867). The designers of many of these gardens were greatly influenced by the Chinese style of landscaping, and by the eagerness of the owners to have famous scenic sights from both China and Japan re-created in miniature (shukkei) in their large gardens.

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.

Climbing the branches of a Japanese family tree

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

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