All You Need to Know about Japanese Gardens

History of Japanese Gardens

Japanese gardens, or Nihon no niwa in Japanese, play an important role in the culture of Japan. According to a review from Japan Visitor, the first known Japanese garden could be dated back to 700AD, or the Nara Period, and was known as a part of an imperial palace. Although the earliest Japanese garden could not be found anymore, it was documented in some of Japan’s oldest scripts.

Most early forms of Japanese gardens have been styled to mimic ancient sceneries and landscapes to be enjoyed by the imperial family and their court. Many famous Japanese gardens act as miniatures of Chinese and Japanese mountains, islands, and the like. It is so that the family living in the home could enjoy the beauty the world can offer without needing the need to travel long journeys.

Most of the Japanese gardens that can be seen in Japan today used to belong to families of noble classes or royalty. Usually built as hunting grounds, these are good places for the good game to thrive. Over the turn of the centuries, these private residences turned into government properties which are then transformed into public parks. There are now certain government councils and non-government organizations that pioneer the continuous protection and preservation of these centuries-old landscapes.

Furthermore, many of the famous Zen gardens, or dry rock gardens, are found in popular temples all over the country. It is normal for gardens to feature pavilions, or large wooden buildings, in the middle - a place where visitors could rest and relax.

Things to know about Japanese Garden Design

Although local gardens in Japan are unbeatably beautiful with their lotus-rich ponds, historical stone bridges, and romantic stone walkways, it does not mean that anyone needs to visit Japan just to see their gardens. With enough space and determination, anyone could create their own miniature version of authentic Japanese gardens.

Anyone who would want information on how to start a Japanese garden can visit local landscapers and gardening experts. For those living in some temperate climate parts of the US where the temperatures are quite similar to some areas in Japan, it will be easy to look for plants that can make the garden look authentic.

However, for places with sub-tropical climates, such as some parts of Asia and Australia, it might be a good idea to visit a few local gardens first before starting up one’s own to get the feel of the perfect kinds of plants to use. Also, a good visit to websites such as Japanesegardening.org, and rotheien.com may be helpful to find pertinent information on how to start a Japanese garden.

The following are the most important elements in Japanese gardens:

Japanese Garden Plants

Gardening enthusiasts know that creating one’s own backyard garden can be tough, but it is without a doubt achievable. What is most important in completing the goal of creating one’s own garden is understanding the elements that make them authentic and special.

Any Japanese garden would not be complete without the lush greenery from shrubs, a variety of color from flowers and shade from the trees. These are what makes any Japanese garden special. Garden enthusiasts would know that the first thing to consider about creating one’s own garden is to find locally grown plants from Japan.

According to a review from SFGate, a simple Japanese garden will not be complete without the presence of Azaleas and Rhododendrons. These are kinds of flowering shrubs that cannot be missed when visiting any Japanese garden as they add color to the greens and auburn in the surroundings. Living under the shades of the trees, Azaleas and Rhododendrons thrive best with minimal sunlight.

But a Japanese garden is not all about the flowers. They are places in Japan that exemplify simplistic beauty and they do so by exhibiting a variety of simple, non-flowering plants. For instance, it is quite common to find ferns and hostas. These are common in Japanese gardens in Japan because they add life to the garden after and before spring. They are representative of the vitality of life. These are plants which are great to use to cover up empty spaces in a miniature Japanese garden, according to a report from The Landscaping Network.

No Japanese garden will be complete without the towering presence of bamboo. A beautiful plant of oriental origin, the bamboo is one of the plants inside a Japanese garden that symbolizes diversity. As the plant plays a very vital role in the everyday lives of the Japanese, it might be a good thing to consider planting bamboo in one’s miniature garden. 

A Japanese garden will not be complete without towering, powerful trees which are soft against the wind but strong against storms. Trees such as Japanese maple, Cherry blossom, or Black pines are very common in gardens around Japan. They are often used as decoration to line walkways. They are a joy to look at during the spring time when their flowers are in full bloom. They are also a site not to miss during autumn time with their warm colored leaves of auburn, orange and brown falling romantically along the path.

For miniature Japanese gardens, it may be impossible to plant trees due to space restrictions. On top of that, it will take a long time for a tree to grow into an appreciably large size. A good alternative to this is having bonsai around the garden. Learning how to care for these miniature trees is not only a therapeutic hobby but it is also a form of art.

Japanese Garden Ornaments

According to many, water is one of the most important elements in a Japanese garden. It symbolizes the source and origin of life. It is also a representation of the seas and oceans surrounding Japan. This is why most Japanese gardens have lakes or ponds inside. Some ponds have bridges that cross over the water, to help its visitors enjoy the presence of fish in the pond. These fishes are usually goldfishes or koi most of the time. The word ‘koi’ literally means love or care in Japanese, according to Japan Info. Not only are these fishes enjoyable to take care of, they are also quite helpful in keeping out insects (like mosquitos) in the water.

One of the most common décors in Japanese gardens would be stonework. Regarded as the most durable material during the earlier times, stonework is a common element in many Japanese houses and gardens. Among the most common stonework decorations would be the traditional Japanese rock lantern, which other people know as Pagodas. These are small, multi-tiered decorations which usually holds light along pathways.

Giant gardens in Japan also has Gazebos which are places which are best to enjoy a small party for tea and rice cakes. These gazebos are usually found at the center of the gardens, surrounded by beautiful flowering shrubs and trees. People come here to enjoy the succulent breeze from the surroundings. Large gardens in Japan are also normally adjacent to temples. A gazebo inside a large garden is a helpful means of rest from the long walk about the temple.

Some gardens also exhibit art through marble carved deities. Sometimes there are dragons and lions which are believed to be guards to the heaven or the imperial home. Some gardens feature Buddha statues made from a variety of materials – stone, rock, metal or marble.

The true value and meaning of Japanese Gardens: Japanese Garden Tokyo

Just like how the bamboo sways with the wind, plants inside a Japanese garden represents versatility. Although often to change color with the season, the Japanese garden remains an epitome of the peace and stillness of nature through the rapid changes of the world.

These kinds of spaces inside anyone’s house is a sure sign of the country’s strong sense of value for nature. It is a means for the family to enjoy the wonderful changes of season, where they could witness the change in their garden’s colors from the auburn of November, to the whiteness of winter and to the colorful hues of summer and spring.

Japanese gardens played an important role in the local culture for centuries and were even considered as an important element in any nobleman’s home. These kinds of gardens are also quite important in historical households as they are considered as a place to entertain guests. Hosts and their guests can enjoy a quiet cup of tea while enjoying the breeze and beauty of surrounding plants and ornaments.

For temples, caring for a garden is a good way to beautify the area and it can give both monks, priests, and visitors a place for quiet meditation while enjoying the vigor of nature. In the center of most cities in Japan are large gardens which are important for locals in their celebration of certain festivals and events such as the Hanami.

Tokyo is one of the busiest places in the country, where almost every inch of it turned into concrete structures and buildings. Much like the only natural places in the area, Japanese gardens in Tokyo is every local’s daily dose of nature. It is a good place for the children to play in and also a good location for the elderly to meet and socialize with friends from time to time. It also provides a good balance of nature and technology in the region. For tourists, gardens in Tokyo is the best place to view falling leaves in November and the cherry blossoms in March.

Most Recommendable Japanese Gardens to Visit

Gardens are found in almost every corner of Japan. There is one in almost every city center to give the residents, locals, and tourists a breath of fresh air once in a while. There is also one in almost every temple in all of Japan. So anyone visiting the country should definitely take time in exploring through the walkways and lakes of these gardens.

Japanese Gardens in Tokyo

Although Tokyo is highly modernized, there has been a continuous effort in creating a balance between modern and nature in this city. Tsunagu Japan explores one of the best Japanese gardens inside Tokyo City and here are a few of the most visited:

According to a report from Tsunagu Japan, the Hamarikyu Gardens is found wedged between the towering skyscrapers and buildings of Tokyo. It has been in the area for hundreds of years since the Edo Period, preserving the natural beauty of old-time Tokyo. It has been originally styled as a duck hunting ground for a wealthy nobleman until it was turned into a garden adjacent to Imperial properties.

Now, it has been opened to the public where locals and tourists alike could enjoy the beauty of nature. Japan Guide explains that this is a traditionally designed garden with seawater ponds whose level changes with the tides. There are trees of maple, plum blossoms, cherry blossoms and pine all around the hectares of land which locals and tourists could enjoy at any time of the year.

Koishikawa Korakuen Garden is the oldest known in all of Tokyo and is also considered as one of the best in all of Japan. Its land area is so big that there is an entire network of water forms inside. There are two ponds and a giant lake connected by a network of streams. This particular garden boasts of its beautiful representation of traditional Chinese and Japanese scenery.

Japanese Gardens Kyoto

Japan is also quite popular with their zen gardens, or rock gardens, which are strictly designed with a certain arrangement or assortment of rocks. As gardens are mostly designed with water as its main elements, zen gardens are the ‘dry’ versions of traditional Japanese gardens. They use gravel or sand which has been carefully raked to represent ripples of water.

Inside Kyoto gives an overview of some of the best Zen gardens in the entire city, Ryoan-Ji Temple is one of the most visited. Located in the courtyard of a beautiful temple in Tokyo, the zen garden of the Ryoan-Ji temple has puzzled locals and tourists for centuries. There is a wide piece of land with randomly placed boulders of rock that no one has ever figured out what they represent, to the point that its beauty serves a different meaning to anyone appreciating it.

In the same light, the zen garden of the Tofuku-Ji temple also represents a sea-like design of sand and gravel whose randomness is an epitome of peace and tranquility. It is considered as one of the five greatest zen gardens in all of Kyoto.

Japanese gardens near me and outside of Japan

There are also a number of impressively designed Japanese gardens outside of Japan. It is a representation of the country’s appreciation for nature and a means to make foreign places in the world comfortable for Japanese immigrants.

Cowra, Australia is one of the best places to go in Australia for the authentic Japanese Garden feel. It is located in New South Wales and is the pride of the region. Its total land area is a whopping five hectares and it features just about every known element of a Japanese garden.  It has been created as a symbol of the good relationship between the locals of the region and its Japanese immigrants.

The Japanese Tea Garden, San Francisco is the pride of all Japanese gardens in California. Originally built in the late 1800s, it is a well-known portion of the Golden Gate parks and was featured in the world fair held in the city more than a century ago. Although time has significantly changed the garden, it is still known as the best preserved and oldest Japanese gardens in all of United State.