Green is the word

I am thoroughly impressed with Japan's lush menagerie of green. Every city I visit, there seems to be a buffet of well-manicured lawns, gardens and parks that adorn the cityscape. 
Akashi is home to a massively green park that is diverse in landscape.

Arashiyama is a beautiful area on the outskirts of Kyoto proper that is engulfed by dense emerald hills accompanied by thick overlays of swollen lilypads covering the marshes in between. 



Lawns belonging to private homes, temples and shrines are polished and shaped with delicacy, leaving no mangy branches or disagreeable weeds unclipped. It is a sign of pride for one's home or private place of worship. Just as it is customary to take off your shoes before entering into even your own home, Japanese homes boast just as much care on the outside as from within. 

Kobe lines the concrete walkways that stretch through downtown with a plethora of vegetation to brighten any average day. Vibrant flower clusters and open courtyards encircled by trees and shrubbery make for an excellent lunch spot during the grueling Japanese work day. 
Certain delights such as this giant, floral clock (with actual working hands!) enrich bustling Japanese cities that otherwise would seem like a steady stream of overworked employees sifting through a barrage of traffic on their late-night commute home.  
It may seem trite, but these flourishing green patches are a comfort to many and a true dedication to those who have the daunting task of upkeep.