Japanese Gardens

We had wanted to visit the Botanical Garden on my birthday, but when we got there, we learned it is closed on Mondays. Fortunately, almost next store to it there is the Buenos Aires Japanese Garden. It was opened in 1967 to coincide with a visit by the emperor of Japan, Akihito, and his wife Michiko.

As well as an astounding variety of beautifully sculpted plants, there is a large koi pond, and a cultural center where visitors can create their own origami figures (Brenda made a swan and I folded a koala bear). There was also a display of Kumitate, a much more intricate folded paper art form, that included dinosaurs, insects and vases. Of course, this being Argentina, hommage was paid to the National Soccer Team in the form of a blue and white Daruma, a traditional Japanese doll.

It was a great way to start the day.Read more