Japanese Gardens
Exploring Plum and Cherry Blossoms in Japanese Gardens: Top Viewing Spots
It is the end of February and we already hit the time of plum blossoms with only one month left until famous cherry blossom season starts! Today I want to introduce some gardens, which hosts great plum and/ or cherry trees! The early plum blossoms in Japanese gardens are often underestimated. When the plums start […]
7 – 5 – 3 (Shichi Go San) in Japanese Garden Design
I have explored the topic of 7 – 5 – 3 (Shichi Go San) in Japanese Garden Design over on Patreon after I had visited Shinju-an Temple with its 7 – 5 – 3 dry landscape garden. Support our Work on Patreon Our Patrons are making our work possible and are the first to read! […]
Visiting Tō-ji Temple in Kyoto
Visiting Tō-ji Temple in Kyoto at the end of September was a different kind of experience. This was off season—everything was deep green and lush, and the gardens didn’t look like they were staged for visitors. Pruning isn’t usually done until May and December, so many plants appeared slightly wild and overgrown, but that simplicity gave the […]
The Real Japanese Gardens Calendar 2026
Yeah! It’s this time of year again!I’m always happy when autumn comes closer and I can start choosing the pictures for the next Japanese garden calendar. For the 2026 calendar, I mainly selected photos from our garden visits this year and last year. Some choices were also influenced by our Patrons on Patreon, who supported […]
Taiko-bashi and their use in Japanese shrines and temples
Among the many bridges found in Japanese culture, the taiko-bashi stands out—not only for its dramatic shape but also for its deep spiritual symbolism. While I’ve written broadly about Japanese bridges before, this post takes a closer look at this unique structure and its role in shrines, temples, and gardens. What is a taiko-bashi? A taiko-bashi is […]
Adachi Museum of Art: A Harmonious Blend of Japanese Gardens and Art
In early August 2015, I visited the Adachi Museum of Art. Pictures of its gardens always appear here and there on the internet, and I was always moved by the beauty of this not old, but old-appearing garden. I set it on my garden bucket list. Before sharing my very own experience in the museum, […]
Round Windows in Japanese Gardens and Architecture: The Yoshino Window and More
Discover the history and symbolism of round windows in Japanese gardens and architecture, including the Yoshino window, Zen temple designs, and sukiya-style tea houses.
Yukizuri – 雪吊り
Hamarikyu garden When visiting Japanese gardens in winter, one will recognize some strange ropes and mats around the pine trees and some other plants. These are called Yukizuri 雪吊り and Fuyugakui 冬囲い. Both are meant to protect the trees from the weight of snow. In Tokyo there is seldom so much snow, that the trees need […]
Tsuboniwa : 坪庭 or 壷庭 ?
The Tsuboniwa in Japan Kanji: 庭 – niwa – garden, yard 坪 – tsubo – unit of land measurement, 3.31 square meters, 2 tatami mats 壷 – tsubo – jar, pot, vase The courtyard garden – called tsuboniwa in Japanese – is a garden in a small, enclosed area. The gardener does not fill it […]
Groundcover as substitute for moss
Almost every Japanese garden in Kyoto hosts one part which is covered in nice, fluffy moss. When building a Japanese garden outside of Japan or even in another area in Japan, there might be some problems when it comes to establishing moss in it. Although moss doesn’t need much to grow, there can be too […]