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Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa Gardens

Shibuya246 · · 27 photos · 27,717 views · 23 comments

The red wood and roof ornaments stood out brilliantly against the trees in the background. The low f/stop on the lens did a great job here.
The red wood and roof ornaments stood out brilliantly against the trees in the background. The low f/stop on the lens did a great job here.
Colored wooden structures in Japan always seem to have a certain charm. They look so totally in harmony the surroundings, and yet only meters away are new modern concrete buildings.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length85mmAperturef/1.4Shutter1/320sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:06
Colored wooden structures in Japan always seem to have a certain charm. They look so totally in harmony the surroundings, and yet only meters away are new modern concrete buildings.
Pathways and the lights that come on at night are a nice defining line to this garden landscape.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length85mmAperturef/4.5Shutter1/80sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:03
Pathways and the lights that come on at night are a nice defining line to this garden landscape.
Nice contrast of green and red with some slight mix of gold in the roof beams.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length85mmAperturef/1.4Shutter1/250sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:06
Nice contrast of green and red with some slight mix of gold in the roof beams.
Looking through the entrance way to the gardens.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length85mmAperturef/4.5Shutter1/80sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:04
Looking through the entrance way to the gardens.
A nice mixture of greenery , rocks and water.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length85mmAperturef/4.5Shutter1/80sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:03
A nice mixture of greenery , rocks and water.
I could imagine this setting in Kyoto. It is hard to imagine that this garden is in the middle of a hotel complex and only minutes away from a major Tokyo Station.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length50mmAperturef/1.4Shutter1/400sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:08
I could imagine this setting in Kyoto. It is hard to imagine that this garden is in the middle of a hotel complex and only minutes away from a major Tokyo Station.
The roof is very grand. A lot of work has gone into this.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length85mmAperturef/1.4Shutter1/640sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:06
The roof is very grand. A lot of work has gone into this.
The tea house area for reserved guests.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length50mmAperturef/1.4Shutter1/500sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:09
The tea house area for reserved guests.
Some of the garden pieces were mixed in with the greenery.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length50mmAperturef/1.4Shutter1/250sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:08
Some of the garden pieces were mixed in with the greenery.
The main hotel building can be seen in the background here. It looked quite strange to see such a large building looming over the garden from this angle. Like coming out of a forest clearing and seeing the big city.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length50mmAperturef/1.4Shutter1/800sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:09
The main hotel building can be seen in the background here. It looked quite strange to see such a large building looming over the garden from this angle. Like coming out of a forest clearing and seeing the big city.
You can see the modern glass building of the hotel apartments in the background of this building. It doesn't actually spoil the look or atmosphere of the traditional garden.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length50mmAperturef/1.4Shutter1/640sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:11
You can see the modern glass building of the hotel apartments in the background of this building. It doesn't actually spoil the look or atmosphere of the traditional garden.
Beautiful surroundings.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length50mmAperturef/4.5Shutter1/80sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:12
Beautiful surroundings.
Some of the garden ornaments were leaning to one side. I had to check my balance a few times when taking this photo to see whether I had the camera straight.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length50mmAperturef/1.4Shutter1/320sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:13
Some of the garden ornaments were leaning to one side. I had to check my balance a few times when taking this photo to see whether I had the camera straight.
Great detail here on this piece. Is that a dragon?Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length50mmAperturef/1.4Shutter1/250sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:13
Great detail here on this piece. Is that a dragon?
Trying out a bit of depth focus on this bridge. A little bit hard to stare at this photo for too long. Your eyes start to struggle to find a focus point across the bridge. Like walking the tightrope over a canyon.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length50mmAperturef/1.4Shutter1/400sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:15
Trying out a bit of depth focus on this bridge. A little bit hard to stare at this photo for too long. Your eyes start to struggle to find a focus point across the bridge. Like walking the tightrope over a canyon.
Arches through to the main structure.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length50mmAperturef/1.4Shutter1/160sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:13
Arches through to the main structure.
One of the garden objects.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length50mmAperturef/1.4Shutter1/320sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:15
One of the garden objects.
Nice little stream with a mixture of greenery.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length50mmAperturef/1.4Shutter1/320sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:15
Nice little stream with a mixture of greenery.
It is nice to see some small bridges in Japanese traditional gardens spanning the water. Some are curved, maybe painted red, others like this one are more plain, but equally pleasing to the eye.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length50mmAperturef/1.4Shutter1/200sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:15
It is nice to see some small bridges in Japanese traditional gardens spanning the water. Some are curved, maybe painted red, others like this one are more plain, but equally pleasing to the eye.
From the traditional garden across to the hotel there is a nice transition area where they have some lawn grass.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length50mmAperturef/1.4Shutter1/640sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:16
From the traditional garden across to the hotel there is a nice transition area where they have some lawn grass.
The bridge crossing over to the main garden.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length50mmAperturef/1.4Shutter1/500sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:16
The bridge crossing over to the main garden.
Looking back at the main Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length50mmAperturef/1.4Shutter1/1000sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:17
Looking back at the main Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa.
There was a nice steak house restaurant in the grounds of the hotel. This would be a good place for a meal at night.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length50mmAperturef/1.4Shutter1/320sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:18
There was a nice steak house restaurant in the grounds of the hotel. This would be a good place for a meal at night.
A lion sitting in protection of the hotel grounds.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length50mmAperturef/1.4Shutter1/200sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:19
A lion sitting in protection of the hotel grounds.
There are a number of Takanawa Hotels in the complex. It is quite easy to get lost looking for the right path to take. The garden sits in between the middle of them all.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length50mmAperturef/1.4Shutter1/200sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:20
There are a number of Takanawa Hotels in the complex. It is quite easy to get lost looking for the right path to take. The garden sits in between the middle of them all.
The winding round leading up to the top of the Hotel complex.Photo dataCameraNikon D700Focal length50mmAperturef/1.4Shutter1/1250sISO800Taken23 Jan 2010, 16:20
The winding round leading up to the top of the Hotel complex.

Do you enjoy looking at traditional Japanese gardens?

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23 comments

Comments are closed. These are from readers when the post was first published.

  1. achiisan

    Great Photos! I feel that I really should go there... Only if I could spare time ^_^

  2. Average Geek

    Very nice pics! The hotel seems interesting: it looks nice with the big windows on the ground floor, but grey and dull on the upper floors. Loved the pic of the curved road and the gardens.

  3. santa

    yes, a nice japanese Dragon. how do I know is japanese? only 3 claws.. chinese one have 4 or 5 for the imperial dragon.. korean dragon heve 4.. some times 3, if influence by Japan..

  4. shibuya246

    thanks. that is a great tip. I didn't know that :)

  5. shibuya246

    I think this hotel is quite old, but they recently renovated the lower coffee shop and lobby area.

  6. NekoLover

    By seeing pics of these , it makes me feel more relaxed and peaceful . I personally would like to go there and feel the harmony , nature and peacefulness of the Garden with its Ornaments and buildings . Sometimes , You just have to appreciate nature's beauty . I really Love those Traditional Japanese houses .

  7. Deckster

    *drools*

  8. Deckster

    Missing something? Looks like a some kind of hook.

  9. whipcracker

    Thanks for tip on what type of dragon this is. by:whipcracker

  10. whipcracker

    This reminds me of the song by Simon and Garfunkle: The Long and Winding Road. by:whipcracker

  11. Andrea Watt

    Thanks for the stroll. It was a very peaceful way to start the day. I love the contrast between the simple and the ornate and contrived; everything goes so harmoniously together. The garden appears to hold its own against the surrounding buildings.

  12. kalleboo

    Perhaps a fastener for one of these? http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalleboo/2448871654/

  13. shibuya246

    well spotted. could be :)

  14. Alex Procter

    This is a beautiful garden. I remember the Hotel New Otani has one very similar to this. A real contrast to the often boring building which is the hotel itself.

  15. xine

    Beautiful photos. ^^

  16. notyetalotus

    Gorgeous photos of the Japanese garden. It seems like a tranquil spot to meditate, did the noise of the city disrupt your picture taking?

  17. shibuya246

    wonderful. A dog? I never would have guessed. Thanks. I automatically thought of something on guard like that as a lion :)

  18. Tristan

    Stunning, stunning photos....love the colour and composition!

  19. johnkent

    Beautiful photos. I'd love to go there just for the sake of seeing it.!

  20. Euri

    There are Chinese oriental dragons with 3 claws. A dragon with 5 claw is a symbol of the Emperor of China; dragons with 4 claws are symbols for Zhuhou (hereditary nobles); and dragons with 3 claws are symbols of Daifu who are high ranking officials (commoners). :)

  21. shibuya246

    wow! Glad I didn't try to guess what type is was. Very detailed. Thank you so much for the info. I will take a closer look next time I see a dragon in a garden :)

  22. Valrath

    I stayed at one of the hotels in this complex, the Prince Sakura Tower. The garden was really nice and calm. It felt separated from the rest of the city. Hard to imagine that the train station was only like 5 mins away, yet it was peaceful here. Btw, love your site and photos. Got to see a lot of stuff you saw. Got hundreds of photos of the surrounding sites. Hope to find more cool places during my long-term stay in Japan.

  23. Valrath

    Open to public, but I doubt non-guests would have known about the garden.