On Saturday 10th May 2008 I travelled by train from Interlaken, in the centre of Switzerland, to Montreux, at the westernmost end of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman). The journey is marketed by a company called ‘GoldenPass Panoramic’ because it involves some fantastic views of Swiss scenery along the way.
![Richard Flynn > The Japanese garden in Interlaken, which displays the following text on an information sign in German, Japanese, and English:
This Japanese Garden was built by the community of Interlaken together with the help of Otsu city.
Both communities have enjoyed Sister City status since October 1978. They have many things in common: mountains, lakes, fertile green surroundings. Even similar rocks can be found in both regions. Japanese plants also grow and thrive in gardens in both Sister Cities.
The traditional Japanese-style garden, handed down from the Nara era, which is called TSUKIYAMARINSENSHIKI. Since ancient times, Japanese have sought peace and tranquility in the landscape of their gardens.
In the Japanese Garden in Interlaken the waterfall boulders symbolize the impressive mountains of the Bernese Oberland. The SHINJI pond represents the Lakes of Brienz and Thun. Its islands show a crane and a tortoise, which stand for “eternal youth” and “longevity” in Japan.
Otsu would like this garden to remind the residents of Interlaken of the region of Lake Biwa with its surronding [sic] mountains. In this way Otsu also wishes to express its love of Nature. In order to realize this garden, Landscape gardeners were specially sent from Otsu to Interlaken. Thus the building of the garden was made possible through joint effort and combined professional know-how. We wish to thank all those many helping hands.
We sincerely hope this garden will provide an oasis of relaxation and inner peace for residents and guests alike. It should stand as a symbol for the exchange of culture and friendship. May everyone who enjoys some moments of peace in this garden realize the will towards the perpetuation of peace in the whole world.
July 1995
Mayor of Interlaken](http://photos.richardflynn.net/2008/InterlakenMontreux-Panoramic/RHJF20D200805100660/440948011_ZdDJs-Ti.jpg "Richard Flynn > The Japanese garden in Interlaken, which displays the following text on an information sign in German, Japanese, and English:
This Japanese Garden was built by the community of Interlaken together with the help of Otsu city.
Both communities have enjoyed Sister City status since October 1978. They have many things in common: mountains, lakes, fertile green surroundings. Even similar rocks can be found in both regions. Japanese plants also grow and thrive in gardens in both Sister Cities.
The traditional Japanese-style garden, handed down from the Nara era, which is called TSUKIYAMARINSENSHIKI. Since ancient times, Japanese have sought peace and tranquility in the landscape of their gardens.
In the Japanese Garden in Interlaken the waterfall boulders symbolize the impressive mountains of the Bernese Oberland. The SHINJI pond represents the Lakes of Brienz and Thun. Its islands show a crane and a tortoise, which stand for “eternal youth” and “longevity” in Japan.
Otsu would like this garden to remind the residents of Interlaken of the region of Lake Biwa with its surronding [sic] mountains. In this way Otsu also wishes to express its love of Nature. In order to realize this garden, Landscape gardeners were specially sent from Otsu to Interlaken. Thus the building of the garden was made possible through joint effort and combined professional know-how. We wish to thank all those many helping hands.
We sincerely hope this garden will provide an oasis of relaxation and inner peace for residents and guests alike. It should stand as a symbol for the exchange of culture and friendship. May everyone who enjoys some moments of peace in this garden realize the will towards the perpetuation of peace in the whole world.
July 1995
Mayor of Interlaken")
Interlaken Ost railway station, from where I would start my ‘panorama train’ journey through the Bernese Oberland and down in to the basin of Lake Geneva at Montreux, changing trains at Zweisimmen.
Interlaken Ost railway station, from where I would start my ‘panorama train’ journey through the Bernese Oberland and down in to the basin of Lake Geneva at Montreux, changing trains at Zweisimmen.
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