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Japanese gardens are world renowned for their fusion with nature and the environment. The design of gardens in Japan is heavily influenced by the Shinto love of nature and the Buddhist ideal of paradise.
In Japan there are 4 main types of formal gardens - paradise gardens, dry landscape gardens, stroll gardens, and tea gardens. The best place to view these various types of gardens is Kyoto however examples of each style can be viewed in any major city.
Paradise Garden
These gardens are designed with the purpose of evoking a sense of "pure land" or Buddhist paradise. They are often designed to include background nature such as mountains or trees as a form of borrowed landscape to add to the overall appearance of the garden. Often large stones are arranged to create islands and rocky shores around water contained in the garden. A very good example of a paradise garden is Motsu-ji in Hiraizumi (see photo).
Dry Landscape Garden
These gardens are usually attached to Zen Buddhist temples and consist of large stones that are carefully chosen and placed in an area that is surrounded by raked gravel. The stones provide an object for meditation and the design is one of peace and tranquility. A classic dry landscape garden is in Kyoto at the Ryoan-ji temple (see photo) where plain earthen walls enhance the abstract arrangement of the stones.
Stroll Garden
The objective of a stroll garden is to create different views with each step that the visitor takes. Carefully designed, vistas and scenery will change throughout the stroll that will often include paths and bridges to cross. These gardens were made very popular in the Edo period by the daimyo (feudal lords). A great example of a beautiful stroll garden is the Kenroku-en in Kanazawa that includes 4 ponds and uses background nature skilfully.
Tea Garden
These gardens have their roots back to the Momoyama period of the late 16th century. A tea garden will always consist of a tea house that is reached by following a short path. The path can include a stone walk and will usually have carefully trimmed plants on either side leading to the tea house. The symbolism is that the path links the real world to the world of the tea ceremony.
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