Japanese Gardens
Where to see Japan‘s Azaleas: 10 Places to visit
After the beautiful cherry blossoms, comes the time for azalea. In this article I will show you 10 places to visit to see Japan‘s azaleas. You will find azaleas everywhere in this country: along the streets, in public parks, on playgrounds and Japanese gardens. We will explore the best places in gardens and temples/shrines. Content:Meiji […]
The Japanese Gosekku 五節句
The Five Festivals in Japan The five festivals in Japan are known as the Japanese Gosekku. They’re celebrated by the common people since the Edo period. January 7 (Jinjitsu, Seven Herbs)March 3 (Joushi, Peach)May 5 (Tango, Calamus)July 7 (Shichiseki, Sasa bamboo)September 9 (Chōyō, Chrysanthemum) Auspicious Numbers and the Origin of the Festivals In Japan, odd numbers, especially […]
New eBook: The Shōmyō-ji Garden Guide
When I first visited the grounds of Shōmyō-ji, I didn’t quite know what to expect. I had read about its Pure Land garden. It is one of the rare historic jōdo-style gardens in the Kantō region. However, nothing prepared me for how it actually feels to step through the temple’s red gate. First, I walked along the quiet […]
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.