This is Mount Nebukawa.

The arrangement consists of Nebukawa stones brought in from Odawara. Craftsmen from that region created this display around the time the garden itself was first made. You can find Odawara stones in various places around the garden!

Look over here – see that stone bridge? Does it not look familiar somehow?

“Hey hey! Listen! Look! Over here! Stop – stop walking and look closely!”

Aha, look at the outline of the bridge – should be pretty visible now. But maybe you’d like to tell us?

“Bream! Sea bream! See these curves? These stones are positively fishlike! That’s why they call me Taibashi, the sea bream bridge!”

Since we’re here, why not tell us – what do you think is the most charming aspect about this park?

“Hmmmmm…the artificial hills are pretty cool! This park is full of little mountains. Mount Nebukawa’s one of them, too. ‘Artificial’ means man-made, so the little mountains here were all made by people. They placed stones and planted trees to make landscapes that look like real nature!”

And they did a splendid job of it, too.

The combination of artificial hills and lakes is characteristic of daimyo gardens like this one.
We’re near the end, but I saved the best for last!

Let’s go!