Japanese gardens are unique in the world, with a long history and rich culture. Its charm, which skillfully expresses the beauty of nature and creates a relaxing space, attracts many people from Japan and abroad.
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Origins and historical changes of Japanese gardens

The history of Japanese gardens dates back to the Asuka period. At that time, gardening techniques introduced from the Korean peninsula were adopted and gardens were created in the residences of emperors and aristocrats. During the Nara period, gardens based on Pure Land philosophy began to be created under the influence of Buddhism. In the Heian period, with the development of aristocratic culture, “shoin-zukuri” gardens centered around a pond became popular. During the Muromachi period, dry landscape gardens became popular due to the influence of Zen Buddhism. Karesansui is a garden that abstractly expresses nature using stones, sand, moss, etc., and embodies the philosophy of Zen, which pursues inner tranquility and enlightenment. In the Edo period, magnificent gardens called daimyo gardens were built in various places. These gardens are spacious and feature ponds, artificial hills, tea rooms, etc., and are designed to allow visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature throughout the four seasons. After the Meiji period, Japanese gardens were introduced overseas and received high praise all over the world. Nowadays, many Japanese gardens are being built not only in Japan but also overseas.

Main features and design elements of Japanese gardens

The history of Japanese gardens dates back to the Asuka period. At that time, gardening techniques introduced from the Korean peninsula were adopted and gardens were created in the residences of emperors and aristocrats. During the Nara period, gardens based on Pure Land philosophy began to be created under the influence of Buddhism. In the Heian period, with the development of aristocratic culture, “shoin-zukuri” gardens centered around a pond became popular. During the Muromachi period, dry landscape gardens became popular due to the influence of Zen Buddhism. Karesansui is a garden that abstractly expresses nature using stones, sand, moss, etc., and embodies the philosophy of Zen, which pursues inner tranquility and enlightenment.

Types of Japanese gardens

Karesansui

A garden that abstractly expresses nature using stones, sand, moss, etc., and became popular during the Muromachi period under the influence of Zen Buddhism.

Wandering garden

It is a large garden with ponds, artificial hills, tea rooms, etc. where you can enjoy various views while walking, and it developed as a daimyo garden during the Edo period.

Pond garden

A typical example of a garden centered around a pond is the shoin-zukuri garden of the Heian period.

Tea garden (Chaniwa)

A general term for the garden attached to a tea room. Also called “Roji”, it includes a passageway and garden leading to the tea room, and is designed as a space to enjoy the tea ceremony even more. A tea garden is more than just a garden; it is an important element that embodies the spirit of the tea ceremony. Deep tranquility and a sense of wabi-sabi aesthetics are expressed in the simple structure that makes use of natural materials.

Japanese garden landscaping technology

Japanese gardens are characterized by their construction that skillfully utilizes natural materials. We reproduce natural landscapes by making use of the texture of each material, such as stone, sand, moss, and trees.

Selection and arrangement of natural materials

Stone: Stone is one of the most important materials in Japanese gardens. Stones of various shapes and sizes are used to express mountains, rivers, waterfalls, etc. When arranging stones, it is important to be aware of gravity, stability, and movement. Sand: Sand is used to represent waterfronts, oceans, etc. You can also express stillness and movement by drawing ripples and wind patterns. Moss: Moss grows to cover the ground and stones, giving a sense of tranquility to a tea garden. You can also create depth and three-dimensionality by changing the type of moss. Trees: Various types of trees will be planted so that you can enjoy the changing seasons. Pine, bamboo, maple, and other trees make use of their unique characteristics to change the landscape.

Water expression and management

Water is the lifeblood of Japanese gardens. Create ponds, waterfalls, streams, etc. to express the natural sound of running water. The amount of water should be adjusted according to the season and weather. Pond: Ponds are the most popular aquascape in Japanese gardens. Create a pond shape using stones and sand and plant aquatic plants such as water lilies and irises. Waterfalls: Waterfalls are created to represent mountains and valleys. By combining stones to form a waterfall and adjusting the amount of water, you can create various expressions. Stream: A stream is created to represent the murmuring of nature. By creating a river bed using stones and sand and adjusting the water flow, you can enjoy a variety of tones.

Water management

Water needs to be managed regularly. Removes fallen leaves and debris that can degrade water quality and maintains water clarity. It also promotes the growth of aquatic plants by adjusting the water temperature and amount.

Introduction to famous Japanese gardens

Kinkakuji Garden in Kyoto

Kinkakuji Garden is a garden located within the precincts of Rokuonji Temple (Kinkakuji Temple) in Kita Ward, Kyoto City, and is designated as a special scenic spot and a special historic site by the country. This is a strolling garden with a pond built in the late Muromachi period. The grounds of approximately 30,000 tsubo are centered around a pond called Kagamiko Pond, and are decorated with white sand, moss, and stonework, enhancing the beauty of the Kinkaku. Kinkakuji Garden is a beautiful garden that encapsulates the Japanese aesthetic sense. Not only can you enjoy the beauty of Kinkaku, but you can also enjoy the view of the entire garden. When sightseeing in Kyoto, be sure to visit Kinkakuji Garden. Access: Approximately 30 minutes by bus from JR Kyoto Station, or approximately 15 minutes on foot from Kitaoji Station on the subway Karasuma Line from Kyoto Station.

Katsura Imperial Villa in Kyoto

Katsura Imperial Villa is a villa built in the early Edo period in Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto City, and has been designated as a national special scenic spot and special historic site. Katsura Imperial Villa was built over a period of approximately 50 years by Imperial Prince Tomohito of Hachijonomiya and his son, Imperial Prince Tomotada, and is known for its unique style, which is a fusion of shoin-zukuri and tea room architecture. On a site of approximately 69,400 square meters, the old shoin, middle shoin, and new palace are the main buildings, with a shoin and a teahouse arranged around a pond, and the composition and fusion of the garden and architecture is splendid. Access: Approximately 40 minutes by bus from JR Kyoto Station, approximately 20 minutes walk from Katsura Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line

Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

Rikugien is a stroll-style rock garden with spring water built in the early Edo period in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo. It has been designated as a special scenic spot by the country and is known as one of Tokyo’s representative Japanese gardens. The biggest highlight of Rikugien Garden is Oizumi Water, a large pond that spreads over an area of approximately 8,000 tsubo. The pond has various islands and bridges, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of each season. Access: Get off at Komagome Station on the JR Yamanote Line and walk for about 10 minutes, get off at Honkomagome Station on the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line and walk for about 7 minutes

Gyokudo Museum of Art, Tokyo

Gyokudo Museum of Art, located in Ome City, Tokyo, is an art museum that houses works by the master of Japanese painting, Gyokudo Kawai. Gyokudo was a painter who was active from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji period, specializing in landscape paintings. The museum has approximately 300 works in its collection, including Gyokudo’s most famous works, “Autumn Grass” and “Landscape.” Also on display are Gyokudo’s belongings and a room that recreates his atelier. Access: Approximately 15 minutes by bus from JR Ome Station, approximately 15 minutes walk from Mitake Station on the Seibu Chichibu Line

Fujita Memorial Garden in Aomori Prefecture

Fujita Memorial Garden, located in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, is a Japanese garden built in the early Taisho period, and is designated as a registered tangible cultural property of the country. With a total area of approximately 21,800 square meters (approximately 6,600 tsubo), it is the second largest garden in the Tohoku region after Hiraizumi Motsuji Garden. The park is divided into a highland area and a lowland area, separated by a cliff with a height of 13 meters.The highland area is a landscape-style garden overlooking Mt. Iwaki, and there are Western-style buildings, Japanese-style buildings, and Takumi-kan buildings. You can take a tour. Access: Approximately 15 minutes by bus from JR Hirosaki Station, approximately 10 minutes by car from Hirosaki city center

Adachi Museum of Art in Shimane Prefecture

The Adachi Museum of Art, located in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, is an art museum established in 1970 that focuses on modern and contemporary Japanese paintings. It boasts 120 works by Yokoyama Taikan and the world-recognized best Japanese garden in Japan. Yokoyama Taikan Collection: The Adachi Museum of Art has 120 works by Yokoyama Taikan in its collection, and is said to be the best in Japan in both quality and quantity. You can view Taikan’s works from various eras, including his masterpiece, “Autumn Leaves.” Access: Approximately 15 minutes by bus from JR Yasugi Station, approximately 10 minutes by car from San’in Expressway Yasugi IC

Yokokan Garden in Fukui Prefecture

Yokokan Garden, located in Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture, is a walking-style forest garden built in the early Edo period and has been designated as a national scenic spot. It is a strolling garden with a pond that spreads out on a site of approximately 9,500 tsubo. The pond has various islands and bridges, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of each season. Access: Approximately 15 minutes on foot from JR Fukui Station, approximately 10 minutes by car from downtown Fukui

Ritsurin Park in Kagawa Prefecture

Ritsurin Park, located in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, is a strolling garden designated as a special scenic spot by the country. It was built in the late 17th century and is characterized by a beautiful landscape with Mt. Shiun in the background. South Lake, which is a typical view of Ritsurin Park, is a pond with an area of about 1 hectare. The pond has various islands and bridges, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of each season. Ritsurin Park is a tourist spot that represents Kagawa Prefecture. Please come and visit us at least once. Access: Approximately 15 minutes by bus from JR Takamatsu Station, approximately 10 minutes by car from Takamatsu city center

Yorikuji Temple in Okayama Prefecture

Yoriku-ji Temple, located in Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, is a Zen temple built by Takauji Ashikaga as Ankoku-ji Temple. The garden, which has been designated as a national scenic spot, is said to have been created by Kobori Enshu in the early days, and is one of Japan’s most representative gardens from the early Edo period. Access: Approximately 15 minutes by bus from JR Bitchu Takahashi Station, approximately 10 minutes by car from Takahashi city center There are various sightseeing spots around Raiku-ji Temple, such as Takahashi Castle and Bitchu Matsuyama Castle. Be sure to try the local cuisine of Bicchu Matsuyama Castle Town’s specialty, “Taimeshi.”

Samurai residence ruins in Ishikawa prefecture, Nomura family

The Nomura Family Samurai Residence in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture is a facility that is open to the public as the remains of the residence of Denbei Nomura, a senior vassal of the Kaga Domain during the Edo period. It has been designated as a nationally important preservation district for groups of traditional buildings, and you can see how samurai residences lived at the time. Access: Approximately 15 minutes by bus from JR Kanazawa Station, approximately 10 minutes by car from Kanazawa city center

Ohori Park in Fukuoka Prefecture

Ohori Park, located in Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, is a city park managed by Fukuoka Prefecture and is loved by citizens as an oasis in the city. The park includes a spacious lawn area, pond, Japanese garden, and art museum, where you can enjoy a variety of leisure activities such as jogging, cycling, boating, and walking. There are many cafes and restaurants within the park where you can take a break and enjoy a meal, and you can also rent bicycles, so you can easily explore the park.

Isawa Kagetsu in Yamanashi Prefecture

Meishi no Yado Kagetsu located in Isawa Onsen, Yamanashi Prefecture, is a long-established inn with a Japanese garden of approximately 6,000 tsubo. The garden is decorated with huge rocks, strange stones, precious stones, precious trees, and Nishikigoi collected from all over the country, and shows off its seasonal expression. Access: Train: Approximately 15 minutes walk from Isawa Onsen Station on the JR Chuo Main Line, Car: Approximately 5 minutes from Isawa Onsen Smart IC on the Chuo Expressway

Sekitei, a garden inn in Hiroshima Prefecture

Garden Inn Sekitei, located in Miyahama Onsen, Hiroshima Prefecture, is a Japanese inn with one of the most beautiful Japanese gardens in Japan. All guest rooms face the garden, allowing you to enjoy seasonal views. The vast garden, which measures approximately 4,000 tsubo (4,000 tsubo), has been designated as a national scenic spot.The garden includes a pond, waterfall, bridge, lanterns, and more, allowing you to feel the traditional beauty of Japan. It shows off its seasonal features: cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, autumn leaves in autumn, and snowy scenery in winter. Access: Approximately 20 minutes by bus from JR Sanyo Main Line Miyajimaguchi Station, approximately 10 minutes from Sanyo Expressway Miyajimaguchi IC

Isuien Garden in Nara Prefecture

Isuien Garden in Nara City is a strolling garden with a pond that consists of two gardens created in the Edo and Meiji periods. It has been designated as a nationally designated scenic spot and is one of Nara’s representative tourist spots. The garden in the Edo period was created by Michiyo Kiyosumi, an official merchant of Nara Sarashi, and the garden in the Meiji period was created by Jiro Seki, a businessman. The gardens were created in two eras, each with a different flavor, allowing you to feel the history and culture of Japan. Access: About 15 minutes walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, Bus: Get off at Isuien bus stop on the city loop bus

The modern role and charm of Japanese gardens

Role as a spiritual oasis in urban areas

In modern society, people living in urban areas are constantly busy and stressed. For such people, Japanese gardens are like an oasis for the soul. In a quiet space made with natural materials, you can forget the hustle and bustle of the city and relax your mind and body. Also, one of the charms of Japanese gardens is that you can feel the changing seasons.

Function as a place for international cultural exchange

Japanese gardens are attracting attention from all over the world as one of the landscapes that represent Japanese culture. In recent years, as the number of foreign tourists has increased, international cultural exchange through Japanese gardens has also become more popular. Foreign tourists who visit Japanese gardens can experience Japanese traditional culture first-hand and understand Japan’s aesthetic sense and values. In addition, mutual understanding deepens when Japanese and foreign tourists interact through Japanese gardens.

Summary

A Japanese garden is more than just a beautiful landscape. It plays a variety of roles in modern society, including serving as a spiritual oasis in urban areas and as a place for international cultural exchange. Japanese gardens will continue to be loved by many people and will continue to be carefully protected as Japan’s cultural heritage.