NEWS$22 million Japanese Garden debuts at Meijer Gardens in Grand RapidsGrace Emerson, 4, left, and her sister Victoria, 9, discover “Long Island Buddha,” a copper and steel sculpture by Chinese artist Zhang Huan, as they explore the new $22 million Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids.Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsDesigned by Hoichi Kurisu in accordance with centuries of Japanese tradition honoring the beauty of nature and crafting spaces that invite reflection, the permanent addition to Meijer Gardens unfolds in the middle of the facility’s 158-acre main campus and encompasses four waterfalls, Zen-style and Bonsai gardens, a teahouse, and contemporary sculpture from a cadre of international artists.Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsVisitors take in the sights and sounds of the North Waterfall. Since opening in early June, the Japanese Garden has welcomed huge crowds including over 80,000 visitors that month alone. Attendance numbers so far indicate that the tranquil new attraction could make July another recording-setting month. Annually, Meijer Gardens entertains more than 600,000 guests from around the world.Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsHydrangeas explode like floral fireworks amid a canvas of green. Visitors can examine more than eight different cultivars of Japanese maples, along with wisteria, several types of pines, bamboo, water lilies, moss, Japanese irises, and Spirea. Water, boulders and plants are the three essentials of a Japanese garden.Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsGuests entering the main gate are met with a 10 foot-tall granite slab by British artist Anish Kapoor, known for creating the iconic “Cloud Gate” sculpture in Chicago’s Millennium Park that is commonly known as the "Bean."Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsSeen from the Moon Viewing Deck, clouds are reflected in the still water of the heart-shaped Lena Meijer Pond, which anchors the Japanese garden. “As guests visit, we really would like them to be contemplative, and to understand the surroundings … disconnect from everyday life. And just, kind of, come in to relax...,” said Andrea Wolschleger, Meijer Gardens public relations manager.Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsDianne Miller of South Haven snaps photos in the Bonsai Garden.Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsAn American Larch tree on display in the Bonsai Garden.Brandy Baker, The Detroit News“You’ve got everything from simple plants, azaleas, rhododendrons, and hydrangeas, but then you’ve got … so many different conifers, and broadleafs, and the way they’re tilted into the water looks like something that’s been here for a long time,” said Ray Miller of South Haven as he toured the park, “I think they’ve done a wonderful job doing this. Just fantastic. "Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsColorado water lilies float atop the Lena Meijer Pond.Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsFrom their perch on the Yatsuhashi: Zig-Zag Bridge, Katie Brumels contemplates water creatures and flowers in the Lena Meijer Pond with her sons, from left, Levi, 8, Caleb, 6, Isaac, 2, and Silas, 4.Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsA painted turtle pokes its head out of the pond.Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsView of the pond as seen from a carved wood "Shia” or gazebo which is made of Sugi (Japanese Cedar), Hinoki Cypress and bamboo. The park's "hardscapes" include authentic gazebos, bridges, gates and a teahouse that were built in Japan, shipped over and then reassembled on site in the garden.Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsA bee nestles in the fuzzy magenta flowers of the plant Spiraea douglasii.Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsThe new Japanese garden boasts a feast for the senses, with the sounds of water, rushing like from this South Waterfall, or babbling over stones, soothing visitors from several spots in the tranquil oasis that features myriad textures, sights and fragrances.Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsBrenda Metz, left, and her daughter, Kaley Metz, 22, walk beneath a Wisteria Arbor near the South Waterfall. Grown in traditional Japanese gardens for over a thousand years, wisteria plants can live for centuries. In the spring, cascading lavender flowers will bloom along the arbor.Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsJapanese irises bloom along the shore near the Zig-Zag Bridge.Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsAn arched bridge of Sugi or Japanese cedar leads visitors to a tiny island in the middle of the pond and this hexagonal gazebo.Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsA ‘Mrs. Perry D. Slocum' lotus, Nelumbo nucifera, arcs gracefully out of the Lena Meijer Pond.Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsVisitors pause along the meandering path that hugs the pond. Plenty of detours along the walk lead guests to spaces, both intimate and vast, that are crafted for reflection and contemplation.Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsThe branches of a honeysuckle tree drape over the pond. Trees naturally bend toward water as they age and designer Hoichi Kurisu intentionally created a more mature look for the garden by manipulating specimens into place.Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsMaterials and placement encourage guests to connect with their surroundings. Visitors keep a close eye to the ground as they traverse a stone pathway, or have to duck or brush away branches that purposefully encroach along the walk.Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsMost of the plants in the garden are native to Michigan as are the more than 3,600 boulders that decorate the property.Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsVolunteer Susan Mengers strolls past a gate leading to the Zen-style garden composed of large boulders and crushed granite that has been raked into patterns. A karesansui is stripped down to essential elements using a limited palette and open spaces.Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsSharon Winkel of Grand Rapids pushes her sister, Arlene Katerberg, along a path in the Zen-style garden. A member of the Meijer Gardens for over 20 years, Winkel has brought several family members and friends to tour the new Japanese display. "I love the waterfalls," says Winkel of the new addition. “It’s amazing."Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsAs is the tradition, Zen gardens are entered with the mind rather than the body.Brandy Baker, The Detroit News“Since the Japanese Garden is as a permanent addition to Meijer Gardens, we’re very much looking forward to seeing more visitors throughout all of the seasons” said Director of Horticulture Steve LaWarre. “This garden’s appearance will really change with the fall colors, blanketed in snow, and with fresh, new growth in the spring. Guests can expect to see something new every time they visit.”Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsVisitors gather on the bird viewing deck at right that overlooks American artist George Rickey's stainless steel sculpture.Brandy Baker, The Detroit NewsVisitors absorb a sweeping bird's eye view of the eight-acre Japanese Garden from atop its Viewing Hill. Admission to the Japanese Garden is included with entrance to Meijer Gardens, which is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday Wednesday Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $12 for adults 14-64; seniors and students $9, children (5-13) $6, children (3–4) $4; members and children 2 and younger are free.Brandy Baker, The Detroit News