Japanese garden facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

A Japanese garden is a special kind of garden from Japan. It's designed to look like a tiny, peaceful landscape. The main idea behind these gardens is to create a feeling of calm and balance.

The Story of Japanese Gardens
Different Kinds of Gardens
Parts of a Japanese Garden
Images for kids
See also

The Story of Japanese Gardens

The oldest book about making Japanese gardens is called Sakuteiki. It means "Records of Garden Making." This book was written in the 11th century, but it shares ideas that people had been talking about for a long, long time.

Different Kinds of Gardens

Ginkaku-ji, also known as the Silver Pavilion, in Kyoto. It has been a Zen Buddhist temple since 1482.

There are several types of Japanese gardens, each made for a different way to enjoy them:

Thinking Gardens (kanshō): These gardens are made to be looked at and enjoyed from just one spot, like a porch or a special viewing platform. A famous example is the rock and gravel garden at Ryōan-ji in Kyoto.
Walking Gardens (shūyū): These gardens are designed for you to walk through and discover new views as you go. You explore the garden by following a path. The garden at Ginkaku-ji in Kyoto is a good example.
Boating Gardens (funasobi): These gardens have a large pond at their center. The best way to see them is from a boat on the pond. The garden at Byōdō-in near Kyoto is a funasobi garden.
Many-Pleasure Gardens (kaiyū): These gardens combine ideas from the other types. They usually have a central pond and many paths, so you can walk, boat, and find special spots to sit and think. The garden at Katsura Imperial Villa is a great example of this style.

Parts of a Japanese Garden

Water Features

A beautiful waterfall at Nanzen-ji garden in Kyoto.

Japanese gardens are special because they capture the feeling of nature. Unlike many Western gardens that focus on colorful flowers, Japanese gardens are designed with spiritual ideas in mind. They often use natural materials to create a space that looks like a beautiful part of nature.

Most Japanese gardens have water, like a pond or a stream. In dry rock gardens, white sand is used to represent water. In Buddhism, water and stone are like yin and yang – two opposites that work together perfectly. A traditional garden usually has a pond with an interesting shape, or sometimes two or more ponds connected by a stream. There might also be a small waterfall, like a tiny version of Japan's famous mountain waterfalls.

A cascade (small waterfall) at Keitaku-en garden near Osaka.

In old gardens, ponds and streams were placed very carefully using a practice called geomancy. This is an art and science about placing things to bring good luck. The first Japanese garden book, Sakuteiki, said that water should flow into the garden from the east or southeast and move towards the west. This was because the east was home to the Green Dragon, and the west was home to the White Tiger, both ancient gods. Water flowing this way was believed to carry away bad luck and bring good health and a long life to the garden owner.

Another lucky way for water to flow was from north to south. North represents water, and south represents fire in Buddhist ideas. Since they are opposites, this flow was also thought to bring good fortune.

Traditional Japanese gardens often have small islands in their ponds. In sacred temple gardens, an island might represent Mount Penglai or Mount Hōrai, which are legendary homes of special, immortal beings.

Waterfalls are very important in Japanese gardens. They are miniature versions of the waterfalls found in Japan's mountains. The Sakuteiki book described seven different kinds of waterfalls. It even suggested that a waterfall should face the moon if possible, so its reflection could be seen in the water.

A lotus pond at Enjo-ji, a paradise garden from the 12th century.
A winding stream at Mōtsū-ji garden in Hiraisumi.
The spring-fed pond at Suizen-ji Jōju-en garden, built in 1636. Its water was said to be excellent for making tea.
Youkoukan Garden in Fukui Prefecture has a miniature beach and mountain.
An island with weathered rocks and a single pine tree in Rikugi-en garden in Tokyo. It represents Mount Hōrai, the legendary home of the Eight Immortals.
An island in Kōraku-en gardens, Tokyo.

Rocks and Sand

The south garden at Ninna-ji, a Zen rock garden.

Rocks, sand, and gravel are key parts of a Japanese garden. A tall, upright rock might represent Mount Horai, or Mount Sumeru from Buddhist teachings, or even a carp jumping out of the water. A flat rock could represent the earth. Sand or gravel can stand for a beach or a flowing river. Rocks and water also symbolize yin and yang (called in and yō in Japanese) in Buddhist ideas. The hard rock and soft water complete each other, and even soft water can wear away hard rock over time.

Rocks are placed very carefully in groups of two, three, five, or seven. Groups of three are the most common. In a group of three, the tallest rock usually stands for heaven, the shortest for earth, and the middle-sized rock for humanity, linking heaven and earth.

Long ago in Japan, sand (suna) and gravel (jari) were used around Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Later, they were used in Japanese rock gardens, also known as Zen Buddhist gardens, to represent water or clouds. White sand stood for purity, but sand could also be gray, brown, or bluish-black.

The way stones are placed in Japanese gardens to look like islands (and later mountains) is a beautiful part of their design. Placing rocks is all about showing nature in its most basic form, which is the main goal of all Japanese gardens.

Rocks in the Garden of the Blissful Mountain at Daitoku-ji.
Sand in a checkerboard pattern at Tōfuku-ji, in Kyoto.
Tōfuku-ji garden in Kyoto.
Myōshin-ji garden.
Shitenno-ji garden. Notice the group of three rocks in the middle.
Ankokuji garden in Hiroshima has rocks of different, but matching, sizes and colors.
A rock arrangement at Tōfuku-ji from 1934.
A large flat rock on an island in Korakuen garden in Tokyo, which looks like a turtle's head.
Carefully placed stones around the pond in Ritsurin Garden.
Negoro-Temple (Negoro-ji), in Wakayama Prefecture.
The garden at Tokushima Castle (1592) on the island of Shikoku. It has water and huge rocks and was meant to be seen from above.
The Zen rock garden of Ryōan-ji, from the late 15th century.

Garden Bridges

The bridge at Byōdō-in temple (1052) was a path to the island of immortals and paradise.

Bridges first appeared in Japanese gardens during the Heian period (794-1185). At Byōdō-in garden in Kyoto, a wooden bridge connects the Phoenix pavilion to a small island of stones. This island represents Mount Penglai or Mount Horai, the legendary home of the Eight Immortals in Taoism. The bridge itself symbolized the path to paradise and living forever.

Bridges could be made of stone (ishibashi), wood, or even logs covered with earth and moss (dobashi). They could be arched (soribashi) or flat (hirabashi). Sometimes, if they were part of a temple garden, they were painted red, like in China. But most Japanese garden bridges were left unpainted.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), large walking gardens became popular. These gardens had streams and winding paths with many bridges, usually made of rustic stone or wood. These bridges helped visitors explore all the beautiful views in the garden.

A bridge at Tokushima castle made of two stones resting on a third stone (1592).
A wood and stone bridge at Suizen-ji garden, started in 1636.
A wooden bridge in Ritsurin Garden, built between 1642 and 1745.
The Flying Geese Bridge in Kenroku-en garden, built between 1822 and 1874.
A stone bridge in Koishikawa Kōrakuen.
A rustic bridge at Tensha-en garden in Uwajima (1866).

Stone Lanterns and Water Basins

Snow lanterns have wide tops that catch snow, creating pretty winter scenes.

Japanese stone lanterns have been around since the Nara period (710-794) and the Heian period (794-1185). At first, they were only found at Buddhist temples, lighting the paths. Later, they were also used at Shinto shrines. Over time, they became popular in tea gardens and then in all kinds of gardens just for decoration. A complete stone lantern (dai-doro) represents the five elements of Buddhist ideas.

Stone water basins, called tsukubai, were originally placed in gardens for visitors to wash their hands and mouths before a tea ceremony. Water flows into the basin from a bamboo pipe called a kakei, and there's usually a wooden ladle to scoop the water. In tea gardens, the basin was placed low so people had to bend down to reach the water, showing humility.

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A lantern in Shukkei-en garden in Hiroshima.
A lantern in Kōraku-en garden.
A water basin at Ryōan-ji, Kyoto.
A stone water basin in Kenroku-en garden.
A stone water basin in Sakamoto, Ōtsu, Shiga.
A water basin at Tenryū-ji Temple in Kyoto.

Trees and Flowers

Momiji (Japanese maple) trees at the temple of Ginkaku-ji, Kyoto.

In a Japanese garden, nothing is left to chance; everything is carefully planned. Each plant is chosen for its beauty. Plants might hide things you don't want to see, create a background for other garden features, or make a scene that looks like a beautiful painting. Trees are often chosen for their amazing autumn colors. Moss is often used to make the garden look very old. Flowers are also picked based on when they bloom. Formal flowerbeds are rare in older gardens but are more common in modern ones. Some plants are chosen for their special meaning, like the lotus, which is sacred in Buddhist teachings, or the pine tree, which represents a long life.

Trees are carefully trimmed to create beautiful views and to make sure they don't block other parts of the garden. Their growth is also controlled using a technique called Niwaki, which gives them artistic shapes and makes them look older. Sometimes, trees are bent to create shadows or better reflections in the water. Very old pine trees are often supported by wooden props or ropes to keep their branches from breaking under the weight of snow.

Some common trees and plants found in Japanese gardens include the azalea (tsutsuji), the camellia (tsubaki), the oak (kashiwa), the Japanese apricot (ume), cherry (sakura), maple (momiji), the willow (yanagi), the ginkgo (ichō), the Japanese cypress (hinoki), the Japanese cedar (sugi), pine (matsu), and bamboo (take).

The o-karikomi style of plant trimming in Chionin Garden.
O-karikomi sculpted trees and bushes at Chiran Samurai Residence.
Azaleas at Soraku-en Garden.
Bamboo and Japanese maple together at Tenryū-ji Garden in Kyoto.
Pine trees at Kenroku-en garden supported by braces to hold the weight of snow.
Some old pine trees at Kenroku-en supported by ropes in winter to keep their branches from breaking.

Fish in Gardens

Nishiki-goi, or colored carp, are decorative fish bred for gardens.

Using fish, especially koi (colored carp) or goldfish, as a beautiful part of gardens came from Chinese gardens. Goldfish were first developed in China over a thousand years ago. People carefully bred Prussian carp to get different colors. By the Song dynasty (960–1279), goldfish came in yellow, orange, white, and red-and-white. Goldfish were brought to Japan in the 16th century. Koi were developed from common carp in Japan in the 1820s. Koi are just common carp (Cyprinus carpio) that have been chosen for their colors. They are not a different species, and if they breed freely, their colors will go back to normal after a few generations.

Images for kids

A Japanese Garden in the Tatton Park Gardens, England.
Ise Jingu, a Shinto shrine started in the 7th century, surrounded by white gravel.
A view of the Eastern Palace gardens' main pavilion.
Byōdō-in: A Jōdo-shiki garden.
Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion (1398).
The garden of Katsura Imperial Villa in Kyoto (1641–1662), a model for walking gardens.
The inside of the Geppa Pavilion of the Katsura Imperial Villa, fitting perfectly with the garden.
The naka-niwa or courtyard garden of a former geisha house in Kanazawa, Ishikawa. The trees are covered with straw to protect them from snow.
Shisen-dō, built in Kyoto in the 17th century, a great example of a hermitage garden.
Claude Monet, Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies, 1899, Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A painting of part of Landscape of the Four Seasons by the monk Tenshō Shūbun from the Muromachi period. It shows an ideal Japanese landscape where people lived simply and in harmony with nature. This ideal was also shown in Japanese gardens.
"Catching a catfish with a gourd" by Josetsu.
Tenryū-ji Garden in Kyoto. (A Kaiyū-shiki Garden, finished in the 14th century).
Kōraku-en in Okayama. (A Kaiyū-shiki Garden, finished in the 17th century).
Adachi Museum of Art Garden, Yasugi. (A Kanshō-shiki Garden, finished in the 20th century).
A large Japanese garden, Suizen-ji Jōju-en, near Kumamoto Castle.
Drop of Water Memorial Hall in New Taipei City, Taiwan.
This view from the Symbolic Mountain in the gardens in Cowra, Australia shows many typical parts of a Japanese garden.
A Japanese zen garden at the Auburn Botanical Gardens, in Auburn, Sydney.
A Japanese Garden in the Devonian Botanic Garden, Edmonton, Alberta.
Japanese Garden, Tatton Park Gardens.
Japanese Garden, Tully, County Kildare. Red arched bridges are more Chinese and rarely seen in Japan, but often in Japanese-style gardens outside Japan.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden (Brooklyn, New York); designed by Takeo Shiota, it was one of the first gardens in an American botanical garden and reportedly the first free one.
Hakone Gardens in Saratoga, California.
The Buenos Aires Japanese Gardens.
Close-up of the Tsubo-en (Netherlands) O-karikomi, hako-zukuri topiary, showing all seasons.
The Japanese Garden in Larvotto, Monaco.
The Japanese Garden in Przelewice, Poland.
The Japanese Garden in Lankester Botanical Gardens, Costa Rica.
The Japanese Garden, Singapore.
Osawa lake in Kyoto was part of the old imperial gardens of the Emperor Saga (809–823).
A model of a residence and garden at Heian-kyō (Kyoto), around 1000.
A 19th-century smaller version of the Heian-jingū, the first Kyoto Imperial Palace garden, as it was in 794.
Stepping stones in the garden of the first Kyoto Imperial Palace. These stones were originally part of a 16th-century bridge over the Kamo River.
A recreated garden of the old Kyoto Imperial Palace.
The Zen rock garden of Ginkaku-ji has a miniature mountain shaped like Mount Fuji.
The garden of Daisen-in Kyoto (1513).
Nanzen-ji garden, Kyoto, built by Musō Soseki. Not all Zen gardens were just rock and sand; monks here thought about a forest scene.
Tenryū-ji garden in Kyoto. The Sogen pond, made by Musō Soseki, is one of the few original parts left.
The garden at the Tokushima Castle, with many large rocks.
The garden at Daigo-ji (1598) is famous for its cherry blossoms.
Kōraku-en in Okayama, started in 1700.
Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu, started in 1625.
The hermitage garden of the poet and scholar Ishikawa Jozan at Shisen-dō, built in 1641. It later became a temple.
Koishikawa Kōrakuen Garden in Tokyo, started in 1629, now surrounded by office buildings.
The most famous view of Suizen-ji is a miniature mountain that looks like Mount Fuji.
Kenroku-en in Kanazawa.
Chinzan-so in Tokyo.
Murin-an in Kyoto.
Tōfuku-ji, a modern Japanese garden from 1934, designed by Mirei Shigemori, built on the grounds of a 13th-century Zen temple in Kyoto.
The moss garden at Tōfuku-ji, Kyoto.
A modern Japanese garden at the Kochi Museum of Art.
The garden at the Naoshima Fukutake Art Museum, using sculpture to look like islands on the horizon.
The garden of the Adachi Museum of Art.
Awaji Yumebutai, a modern garden on the island of Awaji, Hyōgo (2000).
The Shell beach garden, part of the Awaji Yumebutai on the island of Awaji, Hyōgo (2000).
Jissō-in rock garden in Iwakura (Kyoto), changed in 2013.
A Japanese garden pond with an acer (Japanese maple) tree.
The balanced and fancy architecture of the Phoenix Hall in Byōdō-in Garden, Kyoto (1052), was inspired by Chinese Song Dynasty architecture.
The Kotoji Tōrō, a two-legged stone lantern that is one of the most famous symbols of the Kenroku-en garden.
A chashitsu or teahouse in Jo-an garden in Inuyama, from 1618. The simple Zen teahouse style began to be used on all Japanese buildings, from garden pavilions to palaces. This teahouse was named a National Treasure of Japan in 1951.
The architecture of the main house of the Katsura Imperial Villa (1619–1662) was inspired by the simple style of the tea house.
A wooden bridge covered with earth and moss (dobashi) at Sorakuen.
A stone water fountain and cistern at the Japanese Garden at Norfolk Botanical Garden, Virginia.
The outside wall of Katsura Imperial Villa, designed, like the whole garden, for purity and simplicity.
The gate of the Urakuen tea garden, seen from inside.
The traditional garden gate of the Adachi Museum of Art.
A shishi-odoshi is a garden device made of bamboo and wood. It's designed to scare away birds. As the bamboo tube fills with water, it clacks against a stone, empties, then fills again.
The suikinkutsu is a hidden garden instrument beneath the gravel in some water basins.
A Cloud tree at Katori.
A landscape in Ritsurin Garden.
Ōkarikomi; trimmed bushes in Ritsurin Garden.
Nishiki-goi in the Ise Grand Shrine in 2005.
Koi in Himeji Koko-en Garden.
A large carp in the garden of Suizen-ji.
Heian-jingū is a recreation of the old imperial pond garden of Kyoto.
Byōdō-in Temple in Uji, near Kyoto.
Enjō-ji Temple in Nara Prefecture is a good example of a paradise garden from the late Heian Period.
Jōruri-ji, a paradise garden in Kyoto. The pond was dug by monks in 1150.
Rosan-ji garden, Kyoto.
Zuihō-in garden, Kyoto.
Daisen-in, Kyoto.
A teahouse and roji, or tea garden, at Ise Jingu.
A traditional teahouse and tea garden at Kenroku-en Garden.
The garden of the Urakuen teahouse.
The rustic gate of the Keishun-in garden teahouse in Kyoto.
Katsura Imperial Villa, a model for walking gardens.
Shugaku-in Imperial Villa, finished in 1659, another classic example of a walking garden from the Edo Period.
Two hills covered with trimmed bamboo grass that represent Mount Lu in China. This is in Koishikawa Kōrakuen Garden in Tokyo.
Suizen-ji Jōju-en Garden, started in 1636, has a miniature copy of Mount Fuji. The trees on the upper part of the hill are trimmed to be smaller, to make the mountain look taller.