Last month, Shinjuku Gardens staged its annual chrysanthemum show. Last spring, it maintained its reputation as one of the best Tokyo places for cherry blossoms. Year round, people enjoy the extensive lawns, giant trees and scenic lakes of these public gardens, which have replaced what used to be the private property of a former daimyo family.

The Ghosh Yoga Institute Japan, headquartered in Shinjuku, has often benefited from its proximity to Shinjuku Gardens. It has held sports events there, and picnics and bazaars. This year, however, it is holding its winter training session in nearby Hanazono Park. An outdoors natural setting pleases Yoko Wakabayashi, yoga student of 12 years' standing. "All students appreciate nature more when they train outside, in winter and summer," she said.

Wakabayashi is unassuming and retiring. She says that as a child she always liked to be alone. She lived in Mitaka, where she had a long walk to and from school. "I still remember the natural surroundings there, the greenery and the birds," she said. She used to paint, arrange flowers and read, and later on learned to play the koto and samisen. "I was weak in body and mind," she said. "I became ill, and got upset easily."