You see the pond at the heart of this park? Its name is “Dai-sensui.” It is the very symbol of the garden. Come closer to it – You should see an area covered in rocks.

This pebble strand is called “Suhama.” It’s modeled after a beach. Look now – see that interesting lantern on the strand? Let’s see what it has to say.

“Heya! I’m Yukimi-doro, the snow-viewing lantern. D’you know what garden lanterns do? Besides the obvious, we’re also the moodmakers of this garden! See, your pal Yukimi-doro’s a bit on the short side. As the snow falls it piles on top of me, and I gotta tell ya, it brings out my charm, if I do say so myself. My fellow lanterns live in different gardens and parks, completing the scene everywhere we go.”

Ohoho, thank you for your service! But my, this pond is huge – I do wonder, how large is it?

“If we’re talkin’ numbers, 9,000 square meters – wide enough to fit 30 Olympic swimming pools. It used to link up with the ocean, so the ebb and flow of the tides changed its shape. My feet get soaked when the tide rolls in – it IS technically the sea, after all. Pretty chilly, too.”

Oho! So the pond changed over time and with every season.
Why don’t we take a gentle walk around the edge of the water? And while we’re at it, let’s take a little hike.