Some of the participating gardens are truly impressive and clearly taken much work and care.

It only happens twice a year, when Okinawa’s citizens can walk through and tour the private gardens in Nanjo City, and one of those times began on Saturday.

The 10^th Open Garden in Nanjo, which takes place each spring and fall, gives people a chance to wander through 22 private Japanese gardens and English gardens, studying the elaborate Bonsai and appreciating the distinct, unique specialty gardens.  The Open Garden takes place through November 30^th, daily 10 a.m. ~ 5 pm.

A visitor passport, which allows the visitor to see all 22 private homes and gardens, is ¥500.  For those with a fear of getting lost, organizers have a taxi.  There are 3-hour and 6-hour plans with prices ranging from ¥8,500to ¥25,000 per group. In addition, bus tours are prepared by Okinawa Tourist. (¥5,680 per adult, including passport fee and lunch) For more information of taxi and bus tour, contact Okinawa Tourist weekdays 9:30 a.m. ~ 6:30 p.m., and weekends 9:30 a.m. ~ 5 p.m. at 050-5533-2525. High school students and younger are free.

With the ¥500 passport set, visitors can see all of the 22 selected gardens as many times as they want during the Open House, which ends Sunday the 30^th.  The passport will be sold during the event in various places such as Nanjo Commercial Museum, Nanjo City Hall Ozato/Tamagusuku Branch, Yuinchi Hotel Nanjo and Michi no Eki Nanjo and elsewhere.   Details can be checked on website, http://okinawa-nanjo.jp/garden/ or Nanjo City Tourism Association Office, 098-948-4660.

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