Wouldn’t it be nice if you could teleport to Ōhori Park in Fukuoka, Japan? An officially recognized “Place of Scenic Beauty,” the park was built in the 1920s and styled after West Lake in Hangzhou, China. Brick pathways line the perimeter, stone bridges connect the mainland to three islands at the center of the pond, and swan boats bob at the water’s edge, waiting patiently for hourly renters.
Ōhori is a short walk from the Fukuoka Art Museum and Gokoku Shrine and kills it during Cherry Blossom season. Visiting is free, but there is a three-acre Japanese garden within the park that charges ¥240 (about $2.30 USD) to enter. That’s where you’ll find black pines, Satsuki azaleas, a Zen garden, tea house, and all the meditative centering you need to plow through life’s challenges.
