VISITING Japan is a dream for many Brits - but prices for flights, hotels and the cost of living there is prohibitively expensive. However, there are a couple of places in the UK where you can have a similar experience to visiting Japan, including one right in the centre of London. 3 The Japanese Island opened to the public in 1930 Credit: Alamy 3 The park is some to a winding stream Credit: Alamy The Japanese Island in Regent's Park, London, opened to the public in 1930, and it's located near Queen Mary's Garden.
Named after King George V's wife, the little-known rose garden is home to some 12,000 roses - considered the largest collection of its kind in the capital. The Japanese Island has been described as having a "peaceful setting" by visitors, which is likely thanks to its location. This is because it's located inside the Inner Circle in Regent's Park , which isn't frequented as much as other parts of the London park.
The tiny island can be accessed via a wisteria-covered wooden bridge that lies south of the rose gardens. Visitors to the Japanese Island are greeted to meandering paths and a stone lanterns. The tiny island has other features typically associated with Japan too like winding streams and a tranquil waterfall.
Travel blogger Randomly London visited the Japanese Island and wrote the following: " I’ve walked across Regent’s Park dozens of times, but had no idea it contained a secret waterfall and hidden Japanese island garden, which most people seem to walk.