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Ideas for a japanese garden


Japanese garden ideas: 11 design tips for a zen backyard

(Image credit: Future / Annaick Guitteny)

Japanese garden ideas are works of art. 

Immaculate, serene and perfectly poised, these gardens have often taken a lifetime of study and devotion to produce.

And we may not have much time in our own lives to put aside for learning the gentle art of cloud pruning, intricate gravel maintenance or Kanso (the Japanese equivalent of Feng Shui).

But we can take inspiration from these life-affirming garden ideas to bring a little magic, reflection and quiet contemplation to our own outdoor spaces. 

Japanese Garden Ideas

1. Introduce water into a Japanese style garden

(Image credit: Future / Mark Bolton )

Water is an essential element in a Japanese garden. Adding a water feature is a wonderful garden decor idea that brings an extra dimension to the garden, providing a focal point and lending a sense of peace and tranquillity. 

The planting in and around it is vital to the overall effect of the water itself. Think of weeping willows bending down to the glass surface, or the color of Acer palmatum (maple) reflecting its fire-like gold and orange leaves across a pond or bowl. 

2. Preserve the moss and patina

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Garrett)

Long gone are the days of scrubbing every stone, pathway or rockery to create a 'clean' surface. 

Japanese gardens are all about preserving the patina. Age and life equals wisdom, after all. A Japanese-inspired moss garden is the latest trend for solving problems with patchy, yellow grass and overgrown lawns. 

‘Moss gardening is traditional in Japan and becoming increasingly popular in North-West and North America,’ says Guy Barter, chief horticulturist at the Royal Horticultural Society . Your garden should look as if it has been there for many years.

3. Embrace the Japanese concept of 'Ma'

Ryoanji or the Temple of the Dragon at Peace is a Zen temple in northwest Kyoto. The temple and gardens are listed as Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto and as a UNESCO World

(Image credit: John S Lander / Contributor / Getty)

The Japanese garden is a process of distillation and serenity, so overcrowding your space for the sake of it is a huge faux pas in Japanese culture.

The Japanese concept of Ma is something that relates to all aspects of life. It has been described by many as a pause in time, an interval or emptiness in space. Ma is all about creating the sense of balance that has both movement and stillness. It is filled with nothing but energy and feeling.

In theory, dedicate your time and passion to your outdoor space. In practice, do resist the temptation to fill in every last corner of the garden. Being 'unfinished' isn’t a bad thing in this instance.

4. Keep the color palette consistent

The Japanese Gardens during the fall weather at The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

(Image credit: Chris Jackson / Getty)

If you had to pick one color that’s essential to a Japanese garden, it would be green. Use a variety of green hues to create a sense of quiet and calm, a place that is restful, a million miles away from the hectic pace of daily life.

That is not to say that the Japanese do not like color in their gardens. In Japan, if there’s any sort of bright color, it’s one plant at a time. If you're wondering how to plan a garden with a touch of color, go for azaleas, iris and maple – they are all very singular.

5. Create movement with sand and gravel

Japanese Zen Temple Garden; Kyoto, Japan

(Image credit: Philippe Widling / Zuma Press / PA Images)

If you’d like to make the move towards minimalism in a garden, consider dedicating a space to a dry garden with no plants at all – just sand, gravel and granite.

You can use a rake to create patterns in the sand, and change the patterns from time to time to make the garden feel new. While any kind of gravel will work, decomposed granite is best for getting those sharply raked lines.

6. Incorporate gates and pathways

(Image credit: Future / Annaick Guitteny)

'Pathways are used in Japanese gardens to help the body and soul to wander,' says gardener David Domoney . 'Most Japanese gardens feature decorative paths, walkways and bridges that meander to unseen areas of the garden. '

Many Japanese gardens have gates that aren’t intended as physical barriers. A gate or bridge can give visitors a sense of discovery, and will make a garden feel bigger by dividing it. 

Each area should be subtly concealed from the next, yet there should also be a sense of connectivity and harmony.

7. Use stones and boulders to create a natural look

(Image credit: Future / Howard Walker)

Rocks are used to create islands, cliffs, mountains, and of course rock gardens. Be mindful that their shape and placement call for great expertise.

You don’t want uniformity or consistency in garden walls or stepping-stones; quite the opposite in fact. The best stones for an authentic Japanese garden are rounded on one side, and flat on the other if they're to be walked on. 

To make your own natural garden path or walkway, look to riversides, in the forest, or by the ocean for stones with the right kind of shape. 

8. Create a hypnotic water feature 

(Image credit: Future / Andrea Jones)

A pond is a requisite feature of most gardens, and it if it can be fed by a running stream to create miniature waterfalls, so much the better.  

Ideally the stream should run from east to west, because purity is brought from the east. 

9. Understand the true nature of an authentic Japanese garden

Koraku-en, one of the three most famous gardens in Japan, with its pond, cherry trees, pine trees, tea pavilion and the black castle

(Image credit: Micha Pawlitzki / Getty)

While wanting to create a zen garden is a universal thought, ultimately one should never borrow from another culture without truly understanding its significance throughout history.

A Japanese garden reflects the complex character of a people for whom symbolism is seen in commonplace objects. To Westerners, it seems to lack color. But for the Japanese, a garden is not a place for growing flowers, still less for making geometrical patterns of shape and color in formal beds. 

The classical Japanese garden is a landscape, artificially contrived, and redolent of symbolism. Contour and contrast are everything; color is unimportant, except for a small accent.  

The garden is an extension of the house, and the verandah or patio is a platform from which to view the landscape and contemplate its meaning. 

10. Plant a traditional Japanese iris

(Image credit: Future / Annaick Guitteny)

Since the Japanese iris was first introduced to America in the late 19th century, it has become an essential part of many transatlantic gardens. Breeders began work almost immediately to increase the rate and improve the features of this exquisite new plant. 

The colors are also richer, due to an increased flower pigmentation. Such is the regard for the Japanese iris in America that entire gardens, such as the Ensata Gardens in Michigan, are dedicated to their culture, and attract thousands of visitors. 

Ideally, they look best beside water, where their reflections create a shimmering duplication and, more importantly, the roots can remain constantly damp. This is the secret to growing Japanese iris, and even a small garden pond could be enriched by a few of these irises planted around the edge.  

11. Take inspiration from imperfection

(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Ebert)

Aligning with the new awareness of the old Japanese philosophy of wabi sabi (or beauty and wisdom in imperfection), designer Chris Beardshaw made a dramatic statement in his Show Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, 2019. 

The most captivating feature, in our opinion, was the wonderfully wonky pine tree, leaning on its own crutch. Its unconventional shape meant it was rejected by other gardeners, but it was exactly this unusual form which made the designer want to use it. 

What is a Japanese garden?

Japanese gardens come in all shapes and sizes, from small courtyard gardens to the larger tea and stroll gardens that are designed to be walked around rather than viewed from a static spot. 

They can include ponds and islands, bridges, tea houses and dry landscapes of sand and gravel and are full of design and planting ideas that we can try for ourselves.

How do you make a simple Japanese garden? 

Start by thinking about how people will experience your garden and design with that in mind. Imagine how they will get from one point to another and include a pathway that, when followed, will reveal and screen particular views as they travel through.

Look beyond the confines of your garden and design with its backdrop in mind, using planting to screen off less attractive features and using more pleasing ‘borrowed scenery' to enhance your design. 

Think about including water and guide your visitors over and around it using rocks and large flat stones as low-level bridges. The combination of water and rock represents the essential forces of life and nature. It is a staple of Japanese gardens and is a great addition to a sensory garden, too.

Also, creating a water feature brings something really special to the garden, encouraging wildlife and offering the opportunity to introduce new flowers and foliage.

How to plant a Japanese garden

When it comes to planting, include lots of evergreens, but ensure your mix of greens is subtle and interesting, and includes different textures.  

Focus on foliage over flowers and bring in color to highlight a feature or celebrate the seasons rather than using it for its own sake.

Here are some of our favorite plants for Japanese-style gardens.

  1. Pinus thunbergii The Japanese black pine is an ornamental tree that's full of character with its irregular shape, stunning silhouette and lovely dark green foliage. A favorite species for bonsai. It is hardy and loves full sun. 
  2. Acer palmatum 'Dissectum' This fully hardy maple has clouds of soft feathery leaves in an exquisite shade of green, turning gold and orange in fall. It is slow growing, has a naturally domed compact shape and doesn't require pruning, making it a good choice for smaller gardens and containers. Position so that it is protected from strong winds. 
  3. Rhododendron (Satsuki Group) 'Gumpo White' Evergreen azalea that bears beautiful late-flowering single white and pink blooms. It is low growing (maximum height 50cm) and fully hardy as long as it has adequate shelter. Protect in severe weather as it can suffer damage. 
  4. Phyllostachys aureosulcata f. spectabilis Stunning vivid yellow bamboo that starts life as a young bushy plant and transforms to full maturity remarkably quickly. It is clump forming so less invasive than other varieties and (at five to seven metres tall with a one to three-metre spread in 10 years) is big enough to provide full screening - perfect if you're looking for garden privacy ideas. Loves sun and partial shade.
  5. Ginkgo biloba The maidenhair tree is a hardy specimen that looks as stunning in spring and summer as it does in fall. Its beautiful fan-shaped leaves turn from verdant green to a truly show-stopping yellow in the fall. Can be a statement piece in any garden as it can grow to 10 metres in 20 years. 
  6. Prunus 'Shogetsu' Also known as Blushing Bride, 'Shogetsu' is widely acknowledged to be one of the most beautiful flowering cherries thanks to its pendant clusters of pink buds that turn into white blossom and hang all along the branches come April. The mid-green summer foliage turns orange to red in the fall. Its lovely shape – it is considerably wider than it is tall – makes it a signature piece for any garden. 
  7. Iris ensata The Japanese water iris has pretty, violet butterfly-like flowers. Perfect for waterside planting as it loves those moist, poorly drained areas of the garden and is happy in partial shade or full sun. It is early to mid-summer flowering. 
  8. Polystichum polyblepharum Japanese lace or tassel fern that creates superb ground cover in partial or full shade. Remains evergreen or semi-evergreen in milder areas and has lovely glossy deep green leaves. Trim back old fronds before the new ones unfurl. 

Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space.  Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.

Japanese garden ideas: 14 ways to create a tranquil space with landscaping, plants, and more

(Image credit: Alamy)

It’s no surprise that the interest in Japanese garden ideas is growing fast as we all look for ways to create a truly calm and relaxing outdoor space. Known for their tea gardens, contemplative rock and gravel areas and bamboo water features, it’s easy to see why Japanese gardens captivate so many, but there are plenty of other clever design ideas we can discover and use too.

Historically Japanese gardens were designed for many different purposes, each with their own characteristics and features. Those surrounding tea houses were intimate retreats away from the hectic streets and daily life, while strolling gardens were intended for quiet contemplation and discovery through movement. Dry gardens featuring raked gravel and choice rocks were intended to be viewed rather than physically explored, and courtyard gardens were the precursor to today’s indoor-outdoor living. Each fascinating in their detail and meaning, we can include many of the same design ideas in our own spaces, no matter what their size, shape or aspect.

With so many standout plants, including stately bamboo, fiery acers and exquisite lilies and azaleas, it’s hard to resist introducing some Japanese style into your backyard. But how do you get it right and not over-do the dramatic plants and features? We’ve spoken to top designers and experts for their tips and advice so you can introduce some Japanese garden ideas to your own plot with confidence.

1. Go for undulating, sculptural forms

Japanese garden ideas designed by Maitanne Hunt

(Image credit: Maïtanne Hunt Gardens & Landscapes)

Many Japanese garden ideas are designed to be admired from inside the home, often framed by a picture window or arch. Faced with a secluded courtyard garden? Then why not try something similar for your own garden design ideas. The results can be hugely calming and provide an elegant green backdrop throughout the year. 

The team at Maitanne Hunt created this stunning design. 'We decided to use Soleirolia soleirolii as an alternative to moss used in Japanese gardens, taking advantage of its naturally mounding, creeping habit to create the impression of the Japanese hills our client loved. Soleirolia soleirolii is a vigorous, low maintenance ground cover plant, which looks fantastic in tropical, lush or shady gardens. It is good in part shade or shade, providing the soil is consistently moist but well-drained. 

There's more suggestions for the best ground cover plants in our guide. 

2. Choose bamboo features for instant Japanese style

Create a tranquil corner in your Japanese garden ideas with the Shishi Odoshi small water feature from UK Bamboo

(Image credit: UK Bamboo)

Fast growing, sustainable, tough and durable, bamboo is an unbeatable natural material that simply oozes Japanese style. Used for centuries in Japanese garden ideas and harvested in every size, its garden uses range from channelling water, creating fencing, privacy panels, archways, pathways and  – of course – wind chimes. 

Young green Moso poles make a neat, curving low fence when bent over and tied in place with knotted black twine – perfect for lining pathways or protecting precious areas such as delicate moss gardens or raked gravel areas. Giant poles – often up to 10mm or more in diameter – are useful for pergolas and shelters and can also be lashed together to create lightweight platforms. 

You can find out how to grow bamboo in our expert guide. 

3. Plant up a rocky outcrop

Consider including natural stone in your Japanese garden ideas

(Image credit: Buzy Lizzie)

Let the beauty of natural stone and Japanese garden ideas inspire you to transform a dull, sloping site. Fine gravel paths weaving through rocky outcrops, planted with low growing sedums, alpines, azaleas and statuesque conifers provide beautiful year-round color and interest and cast an instantly calming mood for small rock garden ideas.  

This Japanese-inspired tea garden by Buzy Lizzie is a crevice garden full of character and texture. Local stone laid side on and packed close together makes a bold contrast with laid dry-stone walls and boulder-edged planting areas. 

4. Be bold with a black backdrop

Black painted walls and fences are a striking backdrop for your garden furniture, such as this Amberley sofa set from Garden Trading

(Image credit: Garden Trading)

One of the easiest ways to introduce Japanese garden ideas into your space is to use large areas of black in your outdoor design. Whether it’s painted garden wall ideas, porcelain paving tiles or a wall clad in charred timber, it will create the perfect backdrop for highlighting minimal-style furniture and richly toned planting. 

Lush, glossy foliage and the intense orange, crimson leaves of acers are all accentuated by this dark, moody shade and it will also throw the intricate-shaped foliage into sharp relief too.  

Build on this strong statement by introducing furniture with striking black detailing too. This modern sofa set has a bold U-shaped aluminium frame and an extended low-level platform in teak to create a softer finish. 

5. Showcase miniature bonsai

Dark blue ceramic oval bonsai plant pot from Gardenesque

(Image credit: Gardenesque)

Perfection in miniature, bonsai trees first appeared in Japan around 1,200 years ago and, over time, were adopted by Zen Buddhist monks as tray landscapes where the diminutive but beautifully trained trees represented the universe. They soon became highly prized by scholars and today they have worldwide appeal in Japanese garden ideas. 

Start your collection by displaying your leafy treasures in richly glazed garden planter ideas. There are a few rules to follow though, as the Gardenesque team explains. 'The basic principles for estimating your ideal pot size are relative to your bonsai tree. The pot at its longest side should measure half the tree's height and the depth is equivalent to the width of trunk at the soil base. Chunky bonsai trees are better suited to square pots, whilst the more delicate trees in circular pots.'

6. Showcase an acer or two

Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki'

(Image credit: Alamy)

Exceptionally beautiful, Japanese maples are the perfect plant for your Japanese garden ideas. With varieties of all shapes and sizes – from small, weeping trees perfect for pots and besides ponds to stately specimens that reach up to 8 metres high – they will add elegance, structure and year-round interest. 

These slow-growing beauties can be a little diva-like in their needs, preferring a sheltered spot in free draining and non-alkaline soil. Once you've learned how to grow acers, however, you'll be rewarded with stunning autumn color and graceful, finely cut foliage that oozes Japanese style. 

Here are our five stand-out varieties for you to try in your space. 

7. Add a Japanese-inspired bridge

There are plenty of budget-friendly ways to mimic the effect of a Japanese style bridge in your garden design

(Image credit: Alamy)

You don’t have to have a stream or large pond in your garden to include a Japanese style bridge. Representing the journey from the mortal world to the afterlife or higher spiritual realm of purity and nature, a bridge is the ideal way to create movement around and structure within your Japanese garden ideas. 

Your bridge could take the form of simple stepping stone ideas in the middle of a shallow pool or a graceful arching bridge over a dry gravel and pebble river. The key is to thoughtfully integrate it into its surroundings. 

Creating a slight dip below the bridge and adding clumps of natural planting – ferns, ornamental grasses are both good options – at either end will help bed the structure into the ground. Frame the scene further by adding one or two of the best trees for small gardens nearby, so the lower branches can reach over and soften the effect. 

8. Light your Japanese garden ideas with stone lanterns

Stone lanterns are a traditional sight in Japanese gardens

(Image credit: Rohan Gangopadhyay/Unsplash)

Simply unmistakable, stone lanterns – tōrō or ishidourou – are a key feature in Japanese garden ideas. Originally made and positioned to light the way to temples and shrines, they were lit with a candle or small oil lamp. 

There are many different styles and sizes of lanterns, each with their own fascinating history and purpose, so it’s worth finding out about each design before you buy - try Herons Bonsai for a wide selection. 

Oribe lanterns tend to be tall – raised on a pedestal it has a square light box featuring a crescent, full moon and square openings while the three-legged Yukimi doro or snow viewing lantern was used to help fisherman navigate and traditionally sits with two feet in the water and one on land. 

No matter which lantern you choose, less is definitely more. A few, carefully chosen and placed pieces will add a chic and tranquil atmosphere to your outdoor lighting ideas, whereas too many can result in a cluttered, themed look.

9. Hang a ceiling of colorful lanterns

Hikari Solar Garden Lanterns from Not On The High Street

(Image credit: Not On The High Street)

This is a great way to cosy up any outdoor living or dining space. Hanging an assortment of fabric Japanese-style lanterns will not only introduce color, shape and pattern in amongst your planting, it will create the illusion of a ceiling too, helping to visually enclose the space. 

These sophisticated lanterns feature solar LED lights too for added atmosphere. Cluster them together and hang from your pergola ideas, garden arch or tree branches for a magical effect. 

This sloping garden was redesigned by Cityscapers to create a interconnected series of mini gardens surrounded by shrubs and lush grasses

(Image credit: Cityscapers)

Contemplation while walking, surrounded by nature, is at the heart of many Japanese garden ideas. Designed to be viewed from meandering garden path ideas, new garden features and views are gradually revealed with each twist and turn. 

The perfect way to make the most of a small outside space, it’s definitely a design trick we can use in many urban gardens today. Designer Nigel Gomme of Cityscapers has employed a similar approach in this gorgeous London garden. Using raised curving walkways made from rich-toned hardwood deckboards, the rectangular space is divided into five distinct planting areas each with their own planting palette and signature scent. Rounded shrubs and grassy hillocks echo the curvy design and increase the sense of movement. 

There's more clever ways to introduce decked areas into your garden in our decking ideas feature. 

11. Add handcrafted and traditional Japanese details

Japanese-style rain chains from The Gutter Centre

(Image credit: The Gutter Centre)

Character and charm often lie in tiny details and this is definitely true in minimal Japanese garden ideas. A carefully placed item – often laden with historic and traditional significance – can have significant meaning and look stunning against a particular background or surface. 

Shaka Tsukubai – a bamboo water ladle – traditionally used at Shinto shrines for purification, is often laid next to a stone water basin in a garden while each basin is surrounded by three kneeling stones or large flat rocks.  

Rain chains are another delightful detail that are easy to add to your Japanese garden ideas. Used for hundreds of years, these Kusari-doi’ channel water from the roof to ground via a series of tiny buckets or links. Historically made from copper, today you can also find stainless steel and mixed designs.

12. Go for a few thoughtfully placed features

In this Japanese-inspired garden design by Kirman Design , an Oribe lantern and Tetsu bachi (water basin) are the main focal points

(Image credit: Kirman Design)

When it comes to designing Japanese garden ideas, make the most of your existing garden features. Mature shrubs and trees, sloping banks or natural dips all present opportunities to get creative and a chance to try out fresh ideas. 

Take time to look closely at your space – removing a few low branches from an established azalea or camellia could open up enough space to nestle in stone water feature ideas or a lantern, or clearing out an overgrown corner could prove the ideal spot for a gravel garden.  

In this enchanting design by Kirman Design an existing acer became the ideal canopy and setting for an Oribe lantern and water basin. 'Creating a successful Japanese garden or arrangement within your garden hinges on authenticity,' says designer Rick Everett. 'Take the time to study how and why ornaments, rocks and plants are traditionally positioned in original Japanese gardens.'

13. Arrange a gravel and rock garden

A simple solution for Japanese garden ideas is to create a raked gravel garden in a corner of your plot

(Image credit: Alamy)

Whether you’ve a vast sunny spot or quiet, secluded corner, garden gravel ideas could be your perfect option. Consisting of flat areas of gravel featuring odd numbered groups of rocks, carefully chosen for their shape, markings and placed to suggest a distinct landscape, these areas seep tranquility and make a dramatic visual statement too. 

In both ancient Japanese garden ideas, and those surrounding Buddhist temples, the fine gravel is carefully raked to create concentric circles radiating out from rocks, straight lines like ploughed farrows and sweeping curves. Left open to the elements, the beauty also lies in the way the lines are shifted by the wind and rain. Choose a pale, cool shade of gravel – dove gray, white marble and silver blue granite all work well – and go for 6mm stones laid 75mm deep for defined raked lines. 

Feature stones and rocks are arranged in groups of three, five or seven. Chosen for their individual shapes, markings and color they are placed within the flat graveled area to represent key landscape features such as waterfalls, trees, mountains and even animals. Moss and lichen are encouraged to grow on the surfaces and the occasional small evergreen tree or conifer are sometimes added on the garden’s fringes. 

14. Mix stark and contrasting materials

This tranquil and contemporary Japanese-style garden was designed by Acres Wild

(Image credit: Acres Wild)

Playing with diverse surfaces and materials provides much of the interest in minimal, but creative Japanese garden ideas.  

'Japanese gardens are all about abstraction of nature in an artful manner which appears to be natural, but is in fact highly controlled and considered,' explains Ian Smith, Designer at Acres Wild. 'Here, black basalt was used for the path surface, and grey granite slabs were inserted to give the illusion of a bridge crossing water, which is itself represented by granite gravel. Granite boulders complete the illusion of a stream running between rocky banks.'

Find more inspiring options for your paving ideas in our feature. 

What plants work best in Japanese garden ideas?

Acers are a classic choice for your Japanese garden ideas

(Image credit: Alamy)

A much-asked question, we spoke to Natalie Hoare from the renowned Japanese Garden in St Mawgan, Cornwall UK for her planting suggestions for Japanese garden ideas. 

'The Japanese philosophy to approaching a garden design leans toward working with what you have. Although many Japanese plants are considered classic choices for a Japanese garden, it’s worth remembering that idea that what is true to the philosophy of Japanese design is to appreciate nature and design according to the requirements of your particular garden and to plant plants that will thrive in the environment. My top four plant suggestions are chosen as they are specific to our own little Japanese style garden in Cornwall.'

What features should you include in Japanese garden ideas?

Rocks and gravel are key elements of Japanese garden ideas and can be adapted to any size space

(Image credit: Alamy)

Hard landscaping ideas can include gravel, rocks and stepping-stones to provide plenty of contrasting texture and surfaces underfoot. Try tying pieces of bamboo together with black twine to create simple arches, gates, fences, and privacy panels. 

Encourage mosses to spread in nooks and crannies and plant clump forming grasses and shrubs for undulating foliage and to showcase the various restful shades of green.

How do I make my backyard into a Japanese garden?

This Japanese-style tea house is a beautiful addition to this enchanting English garden

(Image credit: Clive Nichols/Future)

Jill puts her love of plants and all things garden related down to the hours spent pottering around with her Nan and Grandad when she was little. Today she is lucky enough to have a garden of her own in Surrey, England, and spends much of her time writing about them too. 

Japanese-style garden design: symbols and principles

Who doesn't dream of a traditional Japanese garden? Compact, bright and cozy, it is able to give any corner of the site a uniqueness and convey the traditions of the East.

The Japanese style as a landscape trend arose in the 8th-18th century, borrowing its foundations from China. The main differences in the design of styles are space. In China, landscape style is always parks and vast areas. In Japan, it is customary to minimize space. But still, the majestic palaces and temples also needed improvement, so today a Japanese-style garden can be: nine0003

- for palaces

- for living quarters

- for temples

- gardens for tea ceremonies


Palace territories mean a huge space for recuperation and walks, so you can often see the intersection of many paths and small pavilions that help to contemplate the beauty around. The temple ones are designed more for meditation and contemplation, so the landscape is distinguished by tranquility and sophistication. nine0003

Residential gardens are always remarkable for their small size (3-5 meters) and are often replicas of landscapes. But the territory for a tea house is like a passage from everyday life to the spiritual world, so it should be decorative all year round. In spring, these are fruit trees and shrubs, in summer - the most beautifully flowering flowers, in autumn the territory should be decorated with maple, and in winter - a beautiful plexus of branches. And only somewhere in the depths of the garden you can see a path that leads directly to the house. The symbolism of the Japanese garden is amazing: there is space, a play of colors, traditions with their own meaning, and harmony. The tea house itself is small in size with an underestimated doorway, which makes each guest bow down, thereby hinting at the equality of all people. nine0003

There are other categories of Japanese style:

By terrain type:

- convex

- flat

According to the type of composition dominance:

- rock garden

- moss garden

- water garden

- fern gardens

According to the complexity of execution:

- "sin". A garden filled with various compositions: stones, water, moss, etc. nine0003

- “co” An incomplete form in which separate decorative elements are used, but they must make up a harmonious overall picture, as well as be an integrity separately.

- "ge" In such a garden, single elements are taken as the basis, which together create a complete picture. The whole landscape around, as it were, is part of the main accents.

Kokedera or "moss garden". It is considered the most ancient garden, erected in the 14th century. The main color palette - green shades - soothing and peaceful. In the middle of the garden there is a lake with small islands that create an atmosphere of peace and solitude. nine0003

But the most famous rock garden - Tenryuji in Kyoto consisted mainly of shrubs and stones, which were located so that they succeeded each other in flowering all year round. Very often, a rock garden is an area filled with gravel, creating geometric surface waves reminiscent of the sea.

If the rock garden is located on the territory of the temple, the ministers align the waves and paths several times every day so that the integrity of the lines is not violated. Everyone who observes at different times of the year and under unique lighting sees something individual in these compositions and goes into deep reflection. nine0003


Water garden. According to the ancient religion of Japan - Shintoism, everything around: stones, plants, water bodies are the habitat of invisible spirits - kami. The garden of water, first of all, is peace and tranquility: ponds, reservoirs, the murmur of water, the whisper of intersecting streams. It is believed that water drives away evil spirits, helps to unload from everyday life and brings enlightenment to the mind. To date, many water gardens have been preserved in Japan, such as Shugaku-in, Katsura Palace Garden, Kinkakuji. All of them are under protection and supervision. nine0003

What are the basic principles and rules for creating a Japanese-style garden?

Since Japanese traditions have developed over the centuries, the design of a Japanese garden is a complex system in which any individual element and composition is important in its own way and carries a special meaning. The main goal is to achieve maximum harmony and create space for the contemplation of beauty.

1. The principle of simplicity and maximum return. The Japanese have no equal in creating minimalistic gardens that carry the immensity of the universe. Seeing a small Japanese garden, you can plunge into an atmosphere filled with legends, traditions and spirituality. nine0003

2. Naturalness comes first. In Japan, nature and everything created by it is considered ideal. It can be brought to perfection, to bring in individuality, but it cannot be created. So, for example, you will never see square or rectangular ponds in the Japanese style.

3. Asymmetry. Compositions and decorative elements in space are arranged asymmetrically. Even when cutting plants, Japanese gardeners adhere to this principle, trimming the crown unevenly. nine0003

4. Water. In most gardens, a pond is an indispensable part of the landscape, as water symbolizes life and change. This is a kind of "engine" of the garden, on which many concepts are based.

5. Odd numbers. Anything that is plural in the garden should be odd. This is borrowed, first of all, from the religion of the Japanese, who, by the way, are very superstitious and faithful to religion.

6. Natural color palette. In the Japanese style, green is the dominant color, you will not find a predominance of another gamut in it, so the main accents are created through experiments with the texture of needles and leaves. Color accents are often used only to highlight the seasons of the year. nine0003

7. More free space. In order to independently achieve the desired effect in creating a Japanese garden, you need to remember about space. No pomp and glamor - the space should embody freedom.

8. Garden paths. Many gardeners have questions at this particular stage of building a Japanese garden. In Japan, paths are often not only elements of zoning, but also a work of art. Often these are smooth, undulating paths that reveal something new to the eye at every turn. nine0003

9. Solitude. As we discussed above, Japanese gardens are often used for reflection on life, meditation and solitude. That is why they are often hidden from prying eyes to emphasize the atmosphere.

10. Orientation. Psychologically, it so happened that a person’s gaze has a direction: from left to right. This rule also works with the arrangement of elements, do not forget about it. For example, a correctly composed composition of stones, playing with the eye of the viewer, is able to bring depth to any space. nine0003

We have analyzed the most important principles, but it is always worth remembering that our goal is not to copy a Japanese garden, but to create something special, unique and individual, without losing the traditions and spirituality of Japan, even if the elements are considered not very characteristic of the style.


Purpose and direction of the Japanese garden.

The Japanese garden is a unique work of art in landscaping. Nature for the Japanese since ancient times is a symbol of beauty, peace. Religions, philosophies and ideas closely intersect with the outside world. First of all, it is a corner hidden from everyday life, which helps to meditate, put your thoughts in order, admire the beauties and find peace. Everything that is hidden in nature has magical powers that guide each person on their own path. Nature helps to know oneself, as it is the foundation of humanity. The garden is a special place for any Japanese, which is what Japanese-style architects are trying to interpret. nine0003

MAFs of the Japanese garden.

Stones in the Japanese garden.

When creating any garden, the basis is the skeleton, consisting of the main elements and secondary ones, which serve as an addition. The stones are the skeleton of the Japanese garden. Since ancient times, they symbolize the masculine “yang”. A variety of shapes, sizes and textures of stones help to show the most daring imagination: both high vertical and low vertical, arched, recumbent, round, with corners - for every taste and color. Returning to the principles of the Japanese garden, we remind you that it is better to use them in an odd number: 3,7,9. And be sure to experiment with sizes: it will turn out more elegant and interesting.

Stones are selected by shape, color, structure. It is necessary to pay attention not to artificial, processed stones, but to natural forms that are found in nature. Unusual stones look ideal with holes slightly covered with natural rust or moss, as well as underwater representatives - from rivers and lakes. To enhance the effect, they are placed with a slope to the ground or lightly sprinkled with soil. nine0003

Water in Japanese design.

As we said earlier, the Japanese attach special importance to the water surface. If the stone is characteristic of the masculine principle, then water is the feminine "yin". It is a symbol of life, movement and peace at the same time. Water in a Japanese garden is realized as a pond, stream or waterfall. It is also appropriate to use a "dry stream", but it is not allowed to design fountains of an unnatural shape.

Types of reservoirs:

Pond. Basically, they make out large gardens. The shape is natural, with its rounded edges and hollows. The level of the water surface should coincide with the shore, excluding the use of lining. The shores are decorated in a natural style, creating mirror images on the surface of the water. nine0003

Creek. Requires a much smaller area, can be characterized by a calm calm, or a turbulent current.

Waterfall.

It is considered the most popular reservoir. Pay attention to the offers on the market: there are waterfalls and portable ones, and for small gardens, the main thing is that the sound of water is present. Very often, for its design, one main stone is used, along which a stream of water flows, and two more compact stones that imitate the channel. nine0003

Dry stream in Japanese style.

An affordable alternative to a pond. It can be both calm and open into a stormy stream. To do this, you just need to clear the area and pour gravel or rubble, drawing a pattern with a rake.


Japanese garden - plants are like a transition from one season to another.

As in many gardens, plants carry some kind of semantic load. They are selected not only taking into account the microclimate, but also for the transfer of solutions and ideas. The task of Japanese garden plants is to convey the change of seasons. When choosing seedlings, remember that the Japanese very rarely use exotic plants, choosing mostly familiar, local representatives. Despite the fact that many of these plants will not be able to grow and winter comfortably in the middle lane, you can always pick up analogues that will fit perfectly into the composition and will not cause much trouble. nine0003

Walkways in Japanese style.

The winding paths are also the backbone of the garden. They take a person to the most amazing corners of the territory, directing his gaze and, as it were, controlling time. Paths in a Japanese garden can be of any material, of various shapes and sizes for each area. These are mainly stones, but saw cuts, logs and boards can also be used. Regardless of which format you choose, the tracks should not have sharp turns and corners.


An equally important decoration of the Japanese garden is lanterns.

The play of colors, shapes and shades ... How pleasant it is to walk among the lanterns in the evening! They are used in compositions with paths, plants, stones. The market today offers a huge selection of lighting: both lamps hidden from the eyes, and majestic royal candlesticks, and open lanterns resembling houses in shape - for every taste. When installing, you should pay attention to the fact that Japanese garden lanterns are used not only as decoration, but also open up the evening garden, emphasizing elegance and uniqueness. nine0003

Fences in the Japanese garden.

No less important in the garden is zoning. Dividing the site into zones so that you can walk slowly along it and discover new boundaries is a difficult but exciting process. In the Japanese garden, bamboo fences are often used, the manufacture of which is considered a special art in Japan. It is also worth paying attention to the fences made of wicker willow.

Arch at the entrance to the Japanese garden.

It will be much more interesting if the entrance to your Japanese garden is decorated with an arch. The main thing is to choose the right place for her. Pergolas and other recreational facilities are often placed in open space to emphasize their expressiveness. They can be realized both from wood and be woven from bamboo. Very appreciated in the design of recreation areas - simplicity, without the slightest hint of excess. nine0003


Decorative bridge in the landscape design of the Japanese garden.

Decorative and functional bridge - a very elegant decor element that attracts the eye. As soon as it comes to the Japanese bridge, a curved small red bridge appears, but this can be attributed more to the Chinese. The Japanese style is more characterized by zigzag or suspension bridges made of bamboo, stone or wood.

As we said above, for a Japanese garden, free space plays a very important role and the more it is, the more harmonious the environment looks. As a rule, voids are filled with moss, bark, or low, discreet ground cover plants. nine0003

The main rules for building a Japanese garden.

To create a real Japanese garden, you need to remember a few features of the placement of the main elements. If you follow them, you will not go wrong.

1. The design should fit and obey the garden, and not vice versa.

2. It is necessary to find the only right place for all elements of the garden: stones, trees, decorative ornaments.


Using these simple rules, you can easily create a landscape design on your site, the Japanese style of which will delight you and your guests for many years. And remember: a beautiful garden is a well-groomed garden. No matter how you place plants, compositions and elements, keep an eye on their appearance and your garden will become the envy of your neighbors. If for some reason you are unable to design a Japanese garden or do not have enough time, you can always contact us for help and our team of professionals will be happy to create a Japanese atmosphere on your site. More about the service "Landscape design"

photos of beautiful compositions, ideas for design and decoration

One of the most interesting and fashionable trends in landscape design is the creation of corners for philosophical reflection and unity with the natural world in summer cottages. Decorating gardens in oriental style is a common phenomenon: for example, you can create an original Japanese garden with stone decor elements and ornamental vegetation with your own hands.

Such design of gardens and parks is becoming more and more popular due to the relaxing atmosphere, conducive to reflection on the meaning of life and finding spiritual harmony. nine0003

Realizing that authentic Japanese-style gardens and parks are expensive, most of them are created on modest plots.

Study photos and pictures of Japanese-style gardens and you will notice many original ideas that you can bring to life in your backyard.

Japanese garden, photo

Types of Japanese gardens

Gardens in an unusual Japanese style are divided into two categories:

Japanese garden: photo at the dacha

If you are going to include a Japanese-style garden in the landscape decor of your backyard, you can make a combination of these varieties. When choosing this option, you need to decide in advance where each decorative detail will be located, make sure that all elements form a complete picture, harmonize with each other. nine0003

Suggestion: We recommend starting with a miniature version of the Japanese garden - it will be easier to come up with its design. Then you can increase it if you wish.

If you have no experience in creating Japanese-style gardens, you will probably find it difficult to bring the ideas of professional landscape designers to life. But gradually you will master the subtleties of exquisite and unusual design.

Design nuances

In order for your efforts to justify themselves, and for the garden you created to symbolize oriental traditions, we advise you to follow the following rules for decorating garden areas in Japanese style:

Selection of stones

If you study photos of modern gardens in a distinctive Japanese style, you will see that stones are the main detail of their design. Having decided on the independent creation of such a garden, consider how the stone design will look.

We advise you to choose stones in a single tint palette; the composition of such details should be perceived holistically and harmoniously. You can use both sharp stones and rounded stones of various sizes: place them in the central zone of the garden. nine0003

It is not necessary to store a large amount of stone elements like a pyramid, it is better to leave free space between the stones. To fill the cavities, fine gravel or sand is suitable. This decoration technique is called sute-ishi.

The combination of dark-colored stone elements with white sand looks no less stylish in a Japanese rock garden. Using the game of contrasts, you can focus on the naturalness of the design.

Japanese rock garden, photo

Decoration with vegetation

Another important step in creating a Japanese garden is the selection of vegetation. When choosing plants, it is important to take into account climatic conditions, since vegetation that is not always characteristic of such a design will be able to adapt to the climate.

Important! Don't overdo the use of flower and ornamental plant arrangements when decorating a Japanese garden. We recommend focusing on landscaping such areas, and you can add brightness to the landscape landscape with the help of small flower beds with neutral colors. nine0003

A classic element of decoration for a Japanese garden - sakura, blooming in white or pale pink, can be replaced with felt cherries, almond or plum trees.

Many summer residents are interested in what kind of dwarf conifers to plant in the Japanese garden. Dwarf bonsai trees will help to make the design sophisticated. Such vegetation is not cheap, so we advise you to decorate the garden area with pine seedlings and other varieties of coniferous plants.

Cross-pair microbiota and Korean fir are considered to be one of the most successful coniferous species for garden design in the original oriental style. nine0003

Climbing vegetation and ground cover plants that creep along the surface of the soil are also suitable for a colorful Japanese-style garden. Separate areas can be decorated with mosses that form a natural ground cover.

Important! Plant details in Japanese landscape design should have a similar configuration - in this case, the decor will look holistic.

If you want to preserve the scenic design of the site even in the cold season, use vegetation that is resistant to low temperatures for decoration. In this case, you will get confidence that the next season the Japanese corner in the country will look great. For example, you can plant rhododendrons in the garden - these plants are resistant to frost, or plant black elderberry seedlings. nine0003

Do not oversaturate the landscape with plants: the design should be concise, it is important to save space and take care of the availability of space for placing other decorative elements.

What else to use for decoration

Many owners of suburban areas complement the design of the garden in the Japanese style with artificially created reservoirs: small ponds, mini-waterfalls or streams. Such elements perform, in addition to decorative, also a functional purpose: they emphasize the advantages of the relief, hide flaws and change the space. nine0003

A garden in the Japanese style loved by many summer residents can also be decorated with small fountains. Water sources in such zones play a big role: in accordance with the philosophy of the East, circulating water personifies the energy flow, sets you up for relaxation and clarifies thoughts.

Tip: Fountains with noisy jets in a Japanese garden are best avoided: their noise will disturb the relaxing atmosphere created by the classic oriental design. nine0003

Crystal pebbles can be used to decorate water sources in the oriental garden - lay them on the bottom. Shiny elements will capture the sun's reflections and let in light streams, due to this the garden will look even more picturesque.

If you're designing a Japanese-style garden in an area with slopes, trenches, and ravines, transform the landscape with rockeries, which are compact flower beds adorned with stones. For this purpose, rock gardens are also suitable - stone gardens with alpine vegetation. Green areas can be combined with Japanese decor. nine0003

Another item that can be used to decorate an oriental garden is a pretty tea house. Since ancient times, the Japanese have created gardens around such structures, and at present this tradition remains relevant.

Naturally, building a separate structure specifically for tea ceremonies is a difficult task, but it is quite possible to build a compact house that will serve a decorative purpose in the garden.

When decorating a Japanese garden, a dry stream is often used in landscape design as a decorative element. See examples and design options for such realistic arteries in garden design. nine0003

About what grass to plant in the garden between the trees, read this article.

If desired, the territory on which the Japanese garden is being designed can be separated from other areas on the plot. In most cases, to implement this idea, a bamboo fence is erected, which organically fits into the oriental decor.

A Japanese-style garden area will look more realistic thanks to a small bridge that embodies the complex movement through life and prompts philosophical reflection. You can buy a garden bridge in a store or construct it yourself: various materials are suitable for its construction, including stones and wood. nine0003

On the bridge, you can make a convenient Japanese-style fence, install light sources - in order to give the garden brightness in the dark. It should be noted that lighting plays a big role in the design of such gardens: it should be diffused, promote relaxation and emphasize the desired atmosphere.

If your goal is to light up a modest area with rock and plant decor, you can use Japanese lanterns for areas as small as 1.5 meters. Near water sources or paths, you can place lighting fixtures called oki-gata: they are compact and will perform a decorative function. nine0003

Recommendation: Arrange lighting fixtures in a Japanese garden in a harmonious way, achieving uniform illumination of each square meter of the plot.

Large lanterns in a garden area decorated in Japanese style will also look unusual. You can make your own lanterns from concrete using special molds and fixtures. Making concrete lanterns requires a lot of time and patience, but the result is worth the effort, such decorations look amazingly natural. nine0003 Japanese-style garden, photo

When planning the appearance of the garden, do not forget that colorful elements do not fit into Japanese design.

To prevent the design from looking boring and monotonous, first prepare a sketch of the design of the garden. If you have no experience in this matter, we advise you to study photos with examples of aesthetic decoration that reflects Eastern culture.

We offer a lot of interesting ideas for a summer house and a garden with your own hands: photos of creative solutions and original things for garden decor from unnecessary, old things. nine0003

You can see a photo with ideas for decorating a patio in a country house in the article here.

Samples of original beautiful pergolas in the garden, see: https://izbasv.com/exterer/pergoly.html

Steps to create

To independently create a stone garden, popular with the inhabitants of Japan and our compatriots, you need to decide on its location. It is necessary that this area has good soil and sunlight, plus natural ventilation. nine0003

If a pond or other water feature is planned for the garden, start by configuring it. The pond should look realistic: give up the square shape and other bizarre formats that you will not find in the natural environment. This rule also applies to created artificial streams.

Having prepared the trenches and designed the water sources, you can take on other components of landscape design. Choose the vegetation that best fits the Japanese decor. Study the features of flowering and growing plants - ornamental shrubs and trees: keep in mind that annuals will have to be planted again next season, and flowers that love warmth will no longer decorate the site in the cold season. nine0003

Once you've planted the vegetation, take care of the stone elements. Discard stones that are strikingly different in color, configuration and size. Replace the abundance of small stones with two or three large boulders. Such elements can be used as the main ones in design, and with the help of small ones, decorate the surrounding space. This technique will allow you to focus on volumetric forms.

Recommendation: For a natural look in the garden, do not bury stones in the soil. nine0003

The largest boulder can be placed in the central area of ​​the garden - and decorate the space around with small elements. Such design will be associated with the Buddhist triad. It is better to concentrate stone details in the area where the artificially created water source is located, along the bank of the stream or in separate places along the perimeter of the pond.

Creating a Japanese garden design on your own on a plot near a private house will give you great pleasure and help you find spiritual harmony, and the final result will bring aesthetic satisfaction.

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