Gardens

Japanese Garden in Pisarzowice

On the edge of Pisarzowice, a village between Kęty and Bielsko-Biała, runs a Japanese garden established in the early 21st century alongside Antoni Pudełko's plant nursery — after the owners' journey to Japan. Admission is free, a rare thing among Poland's themed gardens.

Azaleas in the karikomi style

The heart of the garden is its Japanese azaleas (tsutsuji) — some grow freely, others are clipped into the soft, rounded shapes of the karikomi style. They bloom white and in shades of pink from May into June; the best time to visit is early June. Nearby grow red Japanese maples, cherry trees and bonsai, including shaped beeches.

Two ponds and the Satomi tea house

Stone paths lead through the garden past two ponds with bridges — frogs chorus over the first one. At the centre stands the Satomi tea house with a terrace, where you can drink Japanese teas and eat dessert with a view of the azaleas.

In practice

The garden at Ogrodnicza 2 is open April to October: Monday–Saturday 10:00 am–5:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am–3:00 pm. The ground is flat and stroller-friendly, and the car park next door is free. A plant nursery also operates on site, so you can take a piece of Japan home with you.