Huge English park with a hidden island that’s so exotic it feels like you’re in Japan
VISITING Japan is a dream for many Brits – but prices for flights, hotels and the cost of living there is prohibitively expensive.
However, there are a couple of places in the UK where you can have a similar experience to visiting Japan, including one right in the centre of London.
The Japanese Island in Regent’s Park, London, opened to the public in 1930, and it’s located near Queen Mary’s Garden.
Named after King George V’s wife, the little-known rose garden is home to some 12,000 roses – considered the largest collection of its kind in the capital.
The Japanese Island has been described as having a “peaceful setting” by visitors, which is likely thanks to its location.
This is because it’s located inside the Inner Circle in Regent’s Park, which isn’t frequented as much as other parts of the London park.
The tiny island can be accessed via a wisteria-covered wooden bridge that lies south of the rose gardens.
Visitors to the Japanese Island are greeted to meandering paths and a stone lanterns.
The tiny island has other features typically associated with Japan too like winding streams and a tranquil waterfall.
Travel blogger Randomly London visited the Japanese Island and wrote the following: ” I’ve walked across Regent’s Park dozens of times, but had no idea it contained a secret waterfall and hidden Japanese island garden, which most people seem to walk right past.
“While the rest of Regent’s Park was quite busy, this small section of it was remarkably quiet.”
The Japanese Island has been praised by other visitors too, who all left positive reviews on TripAdvisor.
One person wrote: “Queen Mary’s Gardens was a beautiful garden with Roses and all different kinds of flowers in Regent’s Park – what great find.”
Someone else added: “A glorious collection of formal and informal gardens within the Inner Circle of Regent’s Park.”
A third person said: “A lovely spot in Regent’s Park. There are more than 100 varieties of roses as well as other flowers.”
London’s Holland Park also has its own Japanese Garden called the Kyoto Garden.
This garden was opened in 1991 and was a gift from the former Japanese capital ahead of the Japan Festival, held in London in 1992.
The garden is described as an “an oasis of calm” in the centre of the park, with its tiered waterfall, koi carp pond, stone lanterns and Japanese maple trees.
Meandering stepping stones cut a pathway through the pond, providing a perfect photo opportunity for visitors.
The garden has an overall score of 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor, where it was given a Travellers‘ Choice award last year.
One reviewer wrote: “The Kyoto Garden offers a unique, Japanese-style landscape that’s perfect for quiet relaxation with tranquil tiered waterfalls and a serene pond full of beautiful koi carp.”
Another described it as “Japan in the middle of London”.
A third added: “Beautiful little park. You really do feel like you are in Japan. Absolutely magical.”
Other UK attractions that look like they're abroad
THE Japanese Island isn't the only attraction in the UK that looks like it's from another country.
The Neasden Hindu Temple
The largest Hindu temple outside of India can be found in London and it’s a very impressive sight.
Around 1500 sculptors spent three years carving more than 26,000 individual pieces, which were then shipped to London for its construction.
The temple is Europe’s first and was funded entirely by the Hindu community. It’s constructed using traditional Hindu architectural methods, so has no steel in it at all.
The Buddhapadipa Temple, Wimbledon
Elsewhere in London, Brits can get a taste of Thailand, by visiting the Buddhapadipa Temple in Wimbledon.
It is believed to be the first Thai Buddhist temple to be built in the UK.
Designed by Thai architect Praves Limparangsr, the newly-renovated temple opened to the public in 1982.
The temple was crafted in a traditional Thai style, featuring white walls with gold and red accents and an ornate roof, and cost around 33 million Thai baht (£825,000) to build.
Portmeirion village, Gwynedd, Wales
The village of Portmeirion in Wales is known for resembling the Italian Riveria.
It was built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975 who denied claims that he based the village on Portofino.
Even so, the village has become famous thanks to the striking resemblance between the two places.
Meanwhile, this restaurant in London is like eating out in Tokyo.
And these hidden gem restaurants can be found in the UK’s busiest tourist trap.