Experience winter tranquility at Vancouver’s Nitobe Memorial Garden

January 26, 2017

6 min read

A serene garden with a pond reflecting trees and shrubs, featuring a small stone lantern on the edge.

With the arrival of 2017 and the approaching Lunar New Year (January 28), I’ve been wanting some physical and mental space to take stock of the previous year and set the right tone for the months to come.

I adore living in the heart of Vancouver since there are always so many things to do: restaurants to try out, events to attend, arts and culture to take part in. However, occasionally, I want some tranquility in the midst of all of this bustle. Recently, I paid a winter visit to the lovely Nitobe Memorial Garden and came out feeling refreshed and calm.

The Nitobe Memorial Garden is located at the University of British Columbia; it’s very easy to miss since it’s tucked away in a northwestern corner of campus.

Curved pathway bordered by trimmed bushes, small trees, rocks, and a tall lamp post in a garden setting.

If you want to make a full day out of the visit, you could also go to the Museum of Anthropology, as well as UBC Botanical Garden. UBC campus, Wreck Beach, and Pacific Spirit Regional Park are also great nearby points of interest.

Nitobe Garden is glorious during the other seasons, whether it’s blossoming (spring), in full bloom (summer), or in fall colours (autumn). However, I really like it during the winter when there is a stillness to it, and the air is crisp and invigorating.

Traditional Japanese garden entrance with tiled roof gate, stone path, and surrounding trees and walls.

I walked slowly through the gate and was greeted by a traditional Japanese tea and stroll garden. This authentic Japanese Garden is considered one of the top five outside of Japan itself. It’s named in honour of Inazo Nitobe, a prominent educator, agriculturalist, and scholar (among other things) who wanted to act as a bridge between North American and Japan.

Bust statue of a person with glasses and a suit on a stone pedestal surrounded by green bushes and trees in a garden.

The garden isn’t huge, but impressive in the amount of thought and care put into its design and its maintenance.

Small island with green shrubs and two small trees in a pond, surrounded by rocks and a grassy area with leafless trees in the background.

Each rock, shrub, and tree (some Japanese, some local to Vancouver) has been planted with intention in order to create the ultimate zen-like effect. There are multiple pathways to take, which I walked along, slowly and contemplatively.

Curved garden path with gravel on one side and moss-covered stones on the other, bordered by green plants.

One of the central elements is the Tea House, where tea ceremonies are performed in the summer.

Stone lantern covered with moss in a Japanese garden with a gravel path, green plants, and a traditional building in the background.

During my visit, I appreciated and glimpsed some of its classic elements, such as an outer garden, waiting room, and the waiting bench.

Empty traditional Japanese room with tatami mats, sliding shoji doors, and a wooden ceiling light.

I noticed multiple stone lanterns in the Garden.

Stone lantern standing on mossy ground surrounded by green trees and plants in a garden.

There are four main types: ikekomi-gata (buried lanterns); tachi-gata (pedestal lanterns); yukimi-gata (snow viewing lanterns); and oki-gata (small portable lanterns).

Stone pagoda sculpture in a Japanese garden with a curved wooden bridge over a pond and tall trees in the background.

Another element of significance are the six bridges, some in a zig-zag configuration in order to help with eluding evil spirits, others symbolizing the connection to the Pacific.

Gravel path with wooden bridges crossing a small stream in a green garden with trees and bushes.

Time felt like it was slowing down as I strolled around the garden. I particularly enjoyed the views of the reflecting pond with Koi, as well as the waterfalls.

Calm pond reflecting trees and shrubs in a serene garden setting with green grass and stone lantern.

Small waterfall flowing over rocks surrounded by green plants and trees in a forest setting.

The Garden also makes for a wonderful space for quiet conversation with a friend or a date. Benches are situated throughout the garden, wide enough to seat five people, the traditional number for a tea party.

Wooden bench beside a gravel path surrounded by green bushes and trees in a garden.

There is also a gazebo like structure, which makes for a perfect stop for taking in the experience and chatting with each other.

Gravel path leading to a wooden gazebo surrounded by moss, bushes, and tall trees in a garden.

I would highly recommend taking the time to visit the Garden, and resisting any impulse to rush through it since it invites a subtle eye and an appreciation for both nature and human art.

The Garden is open weekdays from 11am to 2pm (by donation).