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What makes a garden Japanese?
Japanese gardens are shaped by ideas of space, balance, nature, seasonality and carefully considered relationships between stone, water, plants and architecture.
Read about Japanese gardening →How do I start a Japanese garden?
Begin with the space you already have. Consider its proportions, views, boundaries, existing planting and how you want to use the garden before choosing individual features.
Start with our garden guide →What are the different styles of Japanese garden?
Japanese gardens include dry landscape gardens, tea gardens, stroll gardens, courtyard gardens and other forms, each with its own character and history.
Explore Japanese garden styles →What are the common mistakes when creating a Japanese garden?
Trying to fill every space can make a garden feel busy. Restraint, repetition, appropriate scale and careful placement are often more effective.
Read the Do's and Don'ts →How should I approach planting?
Planting should support the structure of the garden rather than compete with it. Form, seasonality, repetition and scale are particularly important.
See our planting tips →Can I create a Japanese garden in a small space?
Yes. Small courtyards and restricted spaces can work particularly well when the design is restrained and individual elements are given room to breathe.
Explore garden styles →What is a Zen garden?
A Zen garden, often called Karesansui or a dry landscape garden, uses stone, gravel and limited planting to suggest a wider landscape in an abstract form.
Learn about Zen gardens →Why do Japanese Zen gardens use raked gravel?
Raked gravel can suggest water and movement while creating a calm visual field. The patterns also require concentration and patience.
Why we rake →What is Ma?
Ma describes space, interval or the pause between things. In Japanese design, the empty space around an object can be just as important as the object itself.
Explore JapanGarden Information →What is Shakkei?
Shakkei is the use of borrowed scenery, incorporating views beyond the garden boundary into the overall composition.
Explore Japanese garden styles →What is Wabi-Sabi?
Wabi-Sabi is associated with simplicity, imperfection, natural materials, ageing and the acceptance of change.
Explore Japanese gardening →What is Niwaki?
Niwaki refers to garden trees that have been carefully shaped and trained. The aim is to create a considered form appropriate to the garden rather than simply reducing the size of a tree.
Read our planting tips →What is a Rōji?
Rōji is the garden associated with the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. The path and garden help create a gradual transition towards the tea house.
Learn about the tea ceremony →What is a Tsubo-Niwa?
A Tsubo-Niwa is a compact courtyard garden. Even a very small space can contain carefully chosen stone, planting, bamboo and water.
Explore Japanese garden styles →Can JapanGarden help design a Japanese garden?
JapanGarden provides design and build services as well as information for people developing their own garden.
Explore JapanGarden Design →Where should I put a Japanese stone lantern?
A lantern can mark a path, provide a focal point or introduce a strong vertical element. Position and proportion are important.
Explore granite and stone →What is a Tōrō?
Tōrō are traditional Japanese lanterns. Different styles and proportions can be suited to different positions within a garden.
Explore lantern information →How are stones used in Japanese gardens?
Stone provides structure and permanence. It can define paths, suggest mountains or islands, create focal points and balance planting.
Learn about Japanese stones →How should large granite pieces be handled?
Large stone features require proper planning and suitable lifting equipment. JapanGarden provides practical guidance on handling granite.
Read about handling granite →Can new granite be made to look older?
JapanGarden provides information about techniques used to help new granite acquire a more weathered appearance.
Making new granite look old →What granite products are available?
The range includes stone lanterns, basins, pagodas, bridges, sculptures, guide lights, spheres, tables and other stone features.
Explore the Granite section →What is a Shishi-Odoshi?
A Shishi-Odoshi is a bamboo water device which tips as it fills and produces its characteristic gentle knocking sound.
Explore Japanese water features →What is a Tsukubai?
A Tsukubai is a low water basin traditionally associated with Japanese tea gardens and the ritual washing of hands.
Explore water basins →What water features work well in a Japanese garden?
Water basins, bamboo fountains, Shishi-Odoshi and granite water features can introduce movement, sound and reflection.
Explore the Water section →How do I install a garden water feature?
JapanGarden provides practical information about pumps, installation and the basic considerations involved in installing a water feature.
Read the installation guide →How do I install a Japanese rain chain?
Rain chains provide a decorative way of guiding rainwater from a roof or gutter. JapanGarden provides installation guidance.
Read the rain chain installation guide →What accessories might I need for a water feature?
Depending on the design, pumps, tubing and other installation accessories may be required.
See water feature accessories →How can bamboo be used in a Japanese garden?
Bamboo can provide screening, structure, texture and strong vertical lines. It can also soften boundaries and create enclosure.
Explore bamboo products →How do I make a Japanese bamboo fence?
JapanGarden provides information about traditional Japanese knots, bamboo fences and trellis construction.
Learn about bamboo fences and knots →How are traditional Japanese bamboo knots tied?
Traditional knots are both functional and decorative and can be used when constructing bamboo fencing and trellis.
Learn Japanese knots →What is the difference between a bamboo fountain and a deer scarer?
A bamboo fountain generally delivers a continuous flow of water, while a Shishi-Odoshi fills and tips, producing its characteristic rhythmic sound.
Explore bamboo water features →Can bamboo screening be used indoors?
JapanGarden supplies bamboo panels and fencing suitable for a range of interior and exterior applications.
Explore bamboo →What is a Shoji screen?
Shoji are traditional Japanese screens using a timber lattice and translucent material to divide space, diffuse light and provide privacy.
Explore Shoji screens →How do I repair a Shoji screen?
Small tears and damaged sections can often be repaired. JapanGarden provides practical guidance on repairing paper Shoji screens.
Learn how to repair Shoji →Should I use Shoji paper or acrylic?
Traditional paper provides an authentic appearance, while acrylic materials such as Warlon can provide greater durability in some situations.
Compare Shoji paper and acrylic →What is Warlon acrylic?
Warlon is a durable translucent material used as an alternative to traditional Shoji paper in appropriate applications.
Explore Warlon and Shoji information →What is Tatami?
Tatami are traditional Japanese floor mats whose proportions have influenced the design and arrangement of Japanese rooms.
Learn about Tatami →How do Tatami sizes affect a room?
Tatami proportions have historically influenced Japanese room dimensions and provide a useful framework when planning a Japanese-style interior.
More on Tatami →How can I create a Japanese-style room?
Consider proportion, simplicity, natural materials, subdued lighting, Tatami, Shoji and the relationship between the room and the garden.
Explore JapanGarden design →How much gravel do I need?
The quantity depends on the area and depth required. JapanGarden's Gravel Calculator helps estimate the quantity needed.
Use the Gravel Calculator →What gravel should I use for a Zen garden?
The choice depends on the appearance required, the garden's scale and whether the gravel will be raked. JapanGarden supplies gravel, sand and rakes for dry garden applications.
Explore the JapanGarden range →How deep should garden gravel be?
The appropriate depth depends on the application and the desired finished appearance. A calculation based on area and depth is essential when estimating quantities.
Use the Gravel Calculator →Are granite items always in stock?
Some granite products are held in stock while others may need to be made or shipped. Check availability before committing to an order for larger granite items.
View the Granite section →What do I need to consider before installing a water feature?
Think about position, water supply, pump, electrical requirements, access for maintenance and how the feature relates to the garden.
Read the installation guide →What is a Japanese rain chain?
A rain chain guides rainwater downwards from a roof or gutter while also becoming a visible architectural feature.
Learn about rain chain installation →What happens during a Japanese tea ceremony?
The tea ceremony is a carefully structured experience involving tea, hospitality, movement, objects, architecture and the garden through which the guest approaches the tea house.
Learn about the tea ceremony →What is a Torii?
A Torii is a traditional Japanese gateway associated particularly with Shinto shrines and the transition into a sacred space.
Explore JapanGarden Information →Who was Bashō?
Matsuo Bashō was one of Japan's best-known haiku poets. His work is closely associated with travel, nature, observation and the changing seasons.
Explore JapanGarden Information →What should I know before visiting Japan?
JapanGarden's guide covers practical subjects including transport, etiquette, food, accommodation and everyday experiences for a first visit.
Visiting Japan for the first time →What should I know before watching Sumo?
JapanGarden provides a practical guide for visitors attending a Sumo wrestling event for the first time.
20 tips for watching Sumo →What should I know before attending Noh theatre?
Noh is a traditional Japanese performance art combining music, movement, masks and carefully controlled theatrical forms. JapanGarden provides a practical introduction for first-time audiences.
Noh: 20 tips for first-time audiences →What Japanese food should I try?
Japanese food extends far beyond sushi. JapanGarden's guide introduces a range of Japanese meals and eating experiences.
Explore 20 Japanese meals →What should I expect when arriving at Narita Airport?
JapanGarden provides practical first-arrival information covering the journey from Narita Airport towards Tokyo.
Arrival in Japan →What is a Japanese Ryokan?
A Ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn where the experience can include Tatami rooms, futons, Japanese meals and traditional hospitality.
A first visit to a Japanese Ryokan →What is special about Mount Fuji and the Snow Monkeys of Nagano?
JapanGarden's travel section includes a guide combining two particularly memorable Japanese experiences: Mount Fuji and the snow monkeys of Nagano.
Explore Mount Fuji and Nagano →We couldn't find a direct answer
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