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. History of the Adachi...Continue Reading
Beyond Basics Part 3: Symbolic Plants & Seasonal Patterns Japanese gardens are designed to reflect nature’s beauty through carefully chosen elements. In this installment, we explore Japanese Garden Plants & Patterns, highlighting their cultural significance and role in shaping the seasonal aesthetics of these landscapes. Japanese Garden Plants & Patterns...Continue Reading
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...Continue Reading
Beyond Basics Part 2: Japanese Rock Arrangements & Symbolism In Japanese gardens, rocks are more than just landscape features—they carry deep symbolism and significantly enhance the visual appeal of the garden. Through careful rock arrangements, stones represent mountains, islands, rivers, and other natural elements, offering both beauty and meaning. In...Continue Reading
Planning a Trip to Japan: A Guide for Garden Enthusiast Planning a trip to Japan is an exciting journey, especially if you’re passionate about gardens. Here’s a comprehensive Japan garden travel guide to help you design the perfect itinerary, focusing on the best seasons, destinations, and accommodations for your garden-themed...Continue Reading
Yeah! It‘s this time of year again!I am always happy when December is close and I can decide the pictures for the next Japanese garden calendar. This year, I have looked up which pictures were the most popular on our Instagram account over the last twelve months. Of course, I...Continue Reading
Bridges are an element in the Japanese garden, that is often neglected in the literature. After the main elements, water, rocks, and plants, the stone lanterns follow as the next most often mentioned element. Or so it seems. Today, I would like to put the focus on bridges. What types...Continue Reading
The way how ponds were built in Japan changed massively over time. In this article I want to introduce the ancient way and the more recent methods. Let’s begin when rich people wanted to build private gardens in the outskirts of Kyoto in as early as the Heian period (794-1185)....Continue Reading
Top > Gardens Overview > Famous Gardens > Kyoto Area > Zuihō-in (Daitoku-ji) Zuihō-in (Daitoku-ji)（瑞峯院） Zuihō-in is an extraordinary temple in Kyoto: It was founded by daimyo Otomo, who was one of the early Christians in Japan. He founded the temple as his family temple; he and his wife are...Continue Reading
Top > Gardens Overview > Famous Gardens > Kyoto Area > Tōfuku-ji – Garden of the Hōjō Tōfuku-ji – Garden of the Hōjō（東福寺） Tōfuku-ji is one of the Five Great Zen temples in the Kyoto Mountain system. It is a temple complex in southern Kyoto with 24 sub-temples. Its garden...Continue Reading
