Japanese Garden of Ostend

Garden in Ostend, Belgium
51°13′37″N 2°54′23″E / 51.22694°N 2.90639°E / 51.22694; 2.90639Area0.25 hectares (0.62 acres)StatusOpen year round

The Japanese Garden of Ostend or Shin Kai Tei is a park in the Belgian city of Ostend. The garden was designed by Japanese architect Takashi Sawano. It is named Shin Kai Tei, which means Deep Sea Garden in Japanese. It was opened in 2001 by Prince Philippe of Belgium.

History

It was built in the kaiyū-shiki-teien style.[1] The garden is located near Ostend's city center and thus near the North Sea.[1] It was designed by Japanese architect Takashi Sawano.[2] The garden includes a pond and waterfalls,[2] walking paths, benches, a gazebo, and water plants.[3] The pond features small fish and koi carp.[3] It was opened by Prince Philippe of Belgium (later crowned King of the Belgians) in 2001. The garden extends for over 2500 square meters.[2]

The garden was named Shin Kai Tei, meaning "deep sea garden" (shin meaning "deep", "profound", "wise"; kai meaning "ocean", "sea"; and tei meaning "garden" as well as "sanctuary").[3]

The garden was opened on 20 July 2001, with a traditional Shinto ceremony, which was attended by Prince Philippe. The garden cost about 25 million francs.[4][5][3]

Gallery

  • View of the pond and yatsuhashi bridges
    View of the pond and yatsuhashi bridges
  • Stone pagoda
    Stone pagoda
  • Yatsuhashi bridges
    Yatsuhashi bridges
  • Pedestal lantern and rocks
    Pedestal lantern and rocks

References

  1. ^ a b "Japanese Garden". www.visitoostende.be. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Japanese Garden Shin Kai Tei". www.oostende.org.
  3. ^ a b c d "Takashi Sawano 's Shin Kai Tei". www.royalpalaces.be (in Dutch).
  4. ^ Carlier, Kris (23 July 2001). ",,KAMPAI VOOR JAPANSE TUIN". Het Nieuwsblad. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  5. ^ "Prins Filip opent Japanse tuin in Oostende" (in Dutch). De Standaard. 20 July 2001. Retrieved 17 March 2023.

External links

  • The Japanese Garden at visitoostende.be