The Kurimoto Japanese Garden
One of the Best Edmonton Attractions

by Fida Wild

Let's face it, Edmonton's harsh climate is not predestined for gardening. Nevertheless, a Japanese Garden is one of the best Edmonton attractions.

The Kurimoto Japanese Garden in Devon just outside Edmonton is part of the Devonian Botanic Garden. The five-acre open-stroll sanctuary is built in authentic Japanese style with borrowed elements from the Albertan landscape.

Friends of the Devonian Botanic Garden proposed this garden to strengthen the cultural exchange between Canada and Japan. The garden is dedicated to Dr Yuichi Kurimoto, founder of the university of Nagoya Shoka Diagaku in Japan and the first Japanese national to graduate from the University of Alberta in 1930.

The garden is the creation of the late designer Tadashi Kubo - Kubo and Associates, Osaka, Japan. It was implemented by his representative Kozo Mitani, and opened in 1978.

Much thought has been given to the perfect setting, as it is customary to Japanese garden design. The Kurimoto Japanese Garden features a stunning manicured landscape - a garden component particularly loved by Canadians - and natural looking parts that give the impression of an untouched landscape except for the pathways.

Japanese are masters in shrinking a grand scale landscape to human proportions with hills, trees and grassy patches interspersed with subtle floral plants, striking rock formations, waterfalls and ponds.

The entrance is located on the highest point that represents a mountain. The strolling garden path leads through the valley and reveals beautiful views. It leads up to another mountain, the Bell Tower Hill, down to the pond area and then to the Azumaya Shelter by the pond - a place for contemplation with sweeping views over the tranquil garden and to the granite pagoda.

The aspect of "framing the landscape" is essential to Japanese design. Each of these frames is carefully "placed" and each view gives the illusion of gardens within the main garden, much like an artist chooses one particular part of a garden for his painting.

I paused in the splendid garden on an early spring day to renew my inner harmony after a long drive from Saskatoon and before rushing further west to Jasper. But maybe the best time to visit is the fall with its blazing colours, as you can see on the photo above.

Ornaments and Structures

Ornaments and structures play an active and important role in the design. The five authentic stone lanterns are hand carved from solid granite. Originally, they were used as votive lamps in Buddhist temples and Shinto Shrines. Later, lanterns became part of decorative Japanese garden design, but may still be used for accent lighting.

The Misaki gata Lantern is simple designed without a shaft and sits on a little stone mountain in the small lake.

The Kanshu-ji gata Lantern with its square design and clear lines without ornamentation has a large and elegantly curved roof and dates back to the Edo Period (1615-1868).

The Yunoki gata Lantern has an aged and weathered look, and is a famous lantern style used on temple grounds.

The Yukimi Lantern - the "Snow Viewing Lantern" is a style created especially for Japanese Gardens. Developed in the Ashikaga Period (16th century), all Yukimi lanterns have the same general form.

Ozawa Pavilion

The Kurimoto garden serves as a landscape and tea garden. Thanks to Tatsuo Ozawa, a prominent Japanese Parliamentarian, who secured over $560,000 from Japanese businesses, the Ozawa Pavilion opened its doors in 1995. It was designed by the Edmonton based architect Junichi Hashimoto.

It was built with yellow cedar from British Columbia and acrylic stucco that mimics the appearances of mud walls but is better suited for the harsh winter climate. The pavilion was designed as authentic as possible, and black tiles, tatami (grass mats), rice paper screens (shoji) and the sliding doors including the light fixtures were imported from Japan.

Japanese Tea Ceremonies are held on Sunday afternoons throughout the summer season, a tradition that began in the 15th century Japan. It is also possible to rent the Ozawa Pavilion for an overnight stay.

Visiting the Devonian Botanic Garden

The Devonian Botanic Garden is part of the University of Alberta. It combines over 80 acres of gardens and 110 acres of natural areas and ecological preserves. Greenhouses and different display gardens make the Garden a delightful place to be.

Children's programs and camps are offered as well as adult education courses. Concerts, festivals are celebrated on special occasions and it is an exquisite setting for wedding photographs as well as intimate ceremonies and celebrations. Click here for events.