iN PHOTOS: Relax and unwind at Japanese gardens in Kamloops, Okanagan

Japanese gardens provide a peaceful refuge in busy, urban settings in Kamloops and the Okanagan, and some shade during the summertime heat.

Rooted in cultural traditions, Japanese gardens have been a featured in public places across the country for more than a century.

The gardens can be either Zen gardens which have raked gravel and rocks that symbolize water and islands and are intended to be viewed, or they can be stroll gardens made to be walked through, according to the Canadian Encyclopedia.

Stroll through gardens include flowing water, bridges, plants, lanterns and fish, with each element having a symbolic significance. Japanese gardens are a perfect place to relax and here are four of them to stop at this summer.

Located at the Okanagan Lake waterfront, north of 199 Marina Way in Penticton, the Ikeda Japanese Garden offers views, peace, flowering plants and fish in the ponds to watch.

The garden was built by the city in 2003 in collaboration with Penticton’s sister city Ikeda in Japan and is maintained by a group of volunteers, according the City’s website.

Kasugai Gardens is located east of the city hall in Kelowna near the Queensway Transit Exchange. The garden has stone lanterns, lots of pine trees and waterfalls and a pond with Koi fish swimming in it. 

It was built in 1987 to demonstrate the friendship between Kelowna and its sister city in Kasugai, Japan.

Located in Polson Park in the centre of Vernon, the Japanese Gardens were designed by retired Japanese gardener Tokimitsu Takemura and donated to the City of Vernon in 1967 by the local Japanese community for Canada’s Centennial, according the Vernon Museum. It has unfortunately fallen into disrepair over the years and water no longer flows through gardens. Phase 2 of the Vernon Creek Naturalization Project is currently underway in Polson Park and it’s not clear if the gardens will be getting some TLC as part of the city’s plan.