4.4 Ishigaki gardens

Nationally designated Scenic Spot.

It is not open to the public every day as private property.

I took the first five pictures and the last one with my arms over the wall, some others from the building in front, also the entrance but unfortunately that sunny day there was anybody inside.

A few days before I had gone, the day was dull but at that time I was more lucky, a nice lady let me go into and visist and take pictures to the singular limestone garden.

According to a brochure from the Ishigaki City Cultural Heritage : "The Ishigaki garden is said to be laid out in 1800 by Ohama Pechin, the administrator of the Ohama district.The main building material used was Ryukyu limestone. The garden is equipped with five rock arrangements built high -hilly slop as a view point inside the garden opposite side of the house I went up- to low from north to south, a connecting stone stairway and stone bridge, a dried waterfall and an Iwajima ( an island in the pond, which consists of only rock and stones).

There are Common Garcinia and japanese Sago Palm planted in the back of the garden. While garden is based on the traditional style of japanese gardens, it displays a unique ambience rich with regional flavour" the pamphlet finishes.

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