Become One With Nature

Japanese Gardens Blend Nature, Beauty & Truth

Who doesn't enjoy the tranquility of visiting a Japanese garden? The ornate gate at the entrance gives a visitor the first clue that something special awaits inside. Once past the gate, you sigh with pleasure at the calm, serene beauty and cares drop away as you are transported into a place of timelessness, where nature's grace soothes your soul.

There's no better place to experience the essence of true, authentic Japanese garden than by heading to the source: Japan. Some of the most magnificent gardens in Japan are hundreds of years old. Generations of men have gently sculpted the garden landscape, while nature has softened the edges. Time has watched seedlings grow into magnificent trees, small mounds grow into carpets of moss and plantings of flowers grow to cover hillsides.

While the Western view of gardens is often to plant flowers in artificial beds with rigid outlines, asserting man's domination over nature, Eastern philosophy holds that it is better for man to work with nature. Japanese gardeners do not plant in rigid squares or rectangles, but let the gardens flow in more natural patterns.

Some Japanese gardens are designed to be viewed from a designated point, such as from a residence doorway or hilltop. Other Japanese gardens, often called "stroll gardens," are designed to be walked through on a path, with many striking views to be seen along the way.

Japanese Garden Styles

There are three main types of Japanese gardens. The first is the Karesansui, or dry garden. Rather than pools or waterfalls, raked gravel or sand is used to represent oceans, waves and rivers. Large boulders may represent islands, mountains or boats. Gravel may be raked in intricate patterns. This type of garden can be quite striking.

A second type of garden is the Tsukiayama, or hill and pond garden. Ponds, streams, hills, stones, trees, flowers, bridges and paths are used to recreate scenes from nature.

The third type, a Chaniwa garden, is a teahouse garden, built as a beautiful location for holding a tea ceremony. Elements usually include a path leading to the teahouse, stone lanterns along the way and stone basins for washing before the ceremony.

Subtle Symbolism

Many parts of the Japanese garden are designed to have deeper meanings. The path through the garden may represent the journey of life or the journey to enlightenment. Certain stepping stones may have special meaning, such as a wider stone suggesting that the traveler stop a moment and take in the view.

Water is usually an element in the design of Japanese gardens. The dripping of water may represent the passage of time, while bridges can be symbolic of moving from one world into another or from one stage of life into another.

In and Yo elements (the Japanese version of Yin and Yang) may also be included in the garden, showing that life must have balance.

Often, the owner or gardener in a Japanese garden can point out or explain the symbolism that has been included in the creation of the garden.

Three Famous Gardens

The most famous gardens in Japan are Kenrokuen, Korakuen and Kairakuen, all located on Japan's largest island, Honshu.

Korakuen

Korakuen garden was designed in 1626, for the daimyo (territorial lord) Yorifusa, but was not completed until 1700. A typical stroll garden of the Edo Period, it is designed in the Kaiyu style, in which each turn of the path gives the visitor a new view to enjoy. Originally 65 acres, it was reduced to 17.5 acres due to the expansion of Tokyo.

The name Korakuen means "garden of pleasure after." This name refers to a Confucious saying, which says that a wise ruler must attend to his subjects' needs first, and only afterward should consider his own needs.

Highlights of the garden include a wisteria trellis, a crane aviary, maple and plum groves, a zig-zag bridge through an iris garden and a rice paddy. The garden also holds a field of tea plants, archery range, lotus pond, pavilion with a stream passing through it and a teahouse. An inner garden contains a lake with carved stone bridges crossing to an island.

Kairakuen

Kairakuen has long been noted for its breathtaking hillside ume (plum) blossoms, which are a spectacular sight in spring. More than 3,000 trees, comprising 100 species of ume, are planted on the hill, providing a cascade of blossoms in all shades from white to red. The ume blossom is an iconic symbol of Japan and is found in many types of Japanese art.

The 31.4-acre garden, completed in 1842, was created to provide beauty for people to enjoy. The name, Kairakuen, means "a garden to enjoy with people."

Additional highlights in the garden include a cedar forest, bamboo grove and a large azalea planting. Perched at the top of the hill is Kobuntei, a historic, three-story home of a Japanese nobleman who favored the arts and often hosted parties where guests composed Japanese poetry. The Kobuntei overlooks a lake and a prairie, as well as the ume tree orchard.

Kenrokuen

Kenrokuen was originally created as the private outer gardens of Ishikawa castle. The garden was improved over 200 years, then opened to the public in 1875. Its 25 acres include a large stroll-type garden with a pond in the center, with surrounding streams, waterfalls and smaller ponds. Recent improvements to the garden include the reconstruction of two teahouses and the addition of two new streams added to the landscape.

The name Kenrokuen means "a garden combining six characteristics." This garden was considered to have all six elements of a superb garden, which include spaciousness, serenity, subtle design, antiquity, good use of water courses and beautiful views.

Others Worth Visiting

While these three gardens are considered the top gardens in Japan, many others throughout the country have outstanding features, as well. A few suggestions for additional gardens to visit include: Ryoanji Temple (Kyoto), from the 15th century, containing a Zen rock garden; Rikugien Garden (Tokyo), a stroll garden created in 1702 and containing teahouses; Ritsurin Park (Takamatsu), a spectacular stroll garden created in the 1600s, with many beautiful pine trees; Sengan'en (Kagoshima), created in the late 1600s, containing a villa; Saihoji (Kyoto), which includes the famous moss garden with more than 100 species; Katsure Imperial Villa (Kyoto), an exquisite strolling garden; and Sankeien Garden (Yokohama), over 100 years old, and containing a pagoda and tea arbors.

Timeless Beauty

Whether one enjoys them for the plants, the view or as a place for reflection and contemplation, Japanese gardens have been enjoyed for thousands of years. Visit some of Japan's incredible gardens and experience for yourself why they are considered some of the world's loveliest gardens.