Sept. 20 - "How delicious," I thought as I drank a glass of cool tap water. I had just checked in to my hotel in Kumamoto on a hot day. The refreshing glass of water helped quench my thirst. I recalled a conversation with a Japanese friend who had told me about Kumamoto's famous water that comes from the rolling hills of the Mount Aso plain.

Later that day, the U.S. Consul in Fukuoka, Jason Cubas, and I visited the Suizenji garden on the former estate of the Hosokawa family. Our guide explained that the Hosokawa family, rulers of the region, selected this spot for a Japanese garden because of its delicious water. Gazing into the pure water in the pond at the garden's center made me feel cooler on a hot summer day.

As we strolled through the Suizenji garden, our guide explained that the Hosokawa lord traveled to the Japanese capital at Edo more than 1,000 km away every other year. Since completing this journey took more than one month, he could enjoy the scenery along the way. His observations of the road to Edo are reflected in this garden.

We strolled over a wooden bridge that resembled the Nihonbashi bridge at the very end of the main highway to Edo. Walking farther along, we climbed a hill that resembled the Hakone pass over the mountains. We soon came upon a miniature Mount Fuji covered in green grass. The pond at the center was shaped like Lake Biwa. Our brief stroll through this lovely garden became for me a nice geography lesson!

Until next time,

Jim