Horticultural Experts Reveal 5 Defining Features of a Japanese Garden, and the Simple Ways You Can Add Them for a More Serene Outside Space
These serene elements epitomise elegance and refinement in Japanese garden design
Think of a Japanese garden and chances are you will envisage a gracefully arching bridge, winding stepping stones, moss covered stone lanterns, Koi ponds and more, but which of these iconic details epitomises the spirit of this distinctive form of garden making?
Japanese gardens are surprisingly diverse. They include stroll gardens with meandering paths and hidden views, Zen gardens with meticulously raked gravel around strategically placed boulders and elegant tea gardens that take guests on a spiritually cleansing journey before their arrival at the tea ceremony. Although all possess a different aesthetic and specific features, these tranquil spaces are united by their close relationship between human curation and nature.
We’ve asked leading garden experts to share their thoughts on what makes their favorite Japanese garden feature so special. Here, we spotlight five different features and moods encapsulating many small Japanese garden ideas, and how you can include these in your garden design ideas.
The principal of hide and reveal
The best Japanese gardens thrive on the use of ‘hide and reveal’. A classic garden design principal, it is the art of carefully placing features to obscure the view and encourage viewers to explore further into the garden. You can discover inspiring examples of this in our feature on the Frederik Meijer Japanese Garden in Michigan.
Simple to do and highly effective, it also has the bonus of making a small area feel much bigger and creates the opportunity to present visitors with multiple different viewpoints.
‘Even in a small space, a well thought out Japanese garden invites you to explore and slow down,’ explains Scott Solomonson, Living Space Landscapes.
‘Taller plants are deliberately placed to screen a full view of what is hiding around the next bend of a curvy path. Instead of showing the whole garden at once, focal points are revealed as you walk the paths and discover the mysteries of what is not seen from the start of the path.’
Landscape architect Shireen Zia agrees and adds, ‘Framing is essential where every view is intentionally composed.
'In my designs, this translates into shaping sight lines with sculptural or contrasting plants, rocks, or multi trunk trees. It’s important because it slows you down and turns even small spaces into moments of reflection.’
Scott has worked in the horticulture, nursery and landscape industry since the 1980s. He lived in Portland Oregon for several years learning the art of Japanese Gardens and has worked with experienced Japanese garden builders in Portland.
EcoGardens Landscape Design, led by award-winning designer Shireen Zia, CPLD, specializes in ecological, water-wise gardens tailored to the San Francisco Bay Area’s climate. With a focus on biodiversity, drought resilience, and refined aesthetics, Shireen creates spaces that are both functional and inspirational. Her work has been recognized by APLD, the Perennial Plant Association, and Fine Gardening Magazine for its innovation, beauty, and environmental stewardship.
The art of niwaki
Sculpting trees into cloud-like shapes is a living art form requiring plenty of vision and endless patience.
Best suited to evergreen varieties, as they retain their cloud like form throughout the year, they make for striking garden features with true individual character.
‘There is a permanence and tranquillity provided by the ‘solid state’ of niwaki which can contrast brilliantly with other looser moving forms, shapes, textures and colours,’ says Guy Watts, Owner of Architectural Plants and a Creative Maintenance expert with an obsession for niwaki and bonsai.
‘The beautiful thing about niwaki is that you can do it with almost any shrub that responds to frequent trimming, has malleable young wood, and has dense leaves,’ Guy explains.
‘Look at the shape of the shrub to see if it has potential. Does it have a leader or main stem that you like and which you can centre your spreading form from? You want to slowly work your way around the shrub assessing which branches you’re going to use and keep and which ones you are going to remove, to create the crucial space for the pads,’ he continues.
A sturdy and sharp pair of pruning shears can be found at Amazon.
‘It’s a long process and it takes many years – depending on the plant’s growth rate,’ he adds.
Guy’s recommended plants suited to niwaki include narrow leaved Mock Privet, Japanese Holly and Chilean Myrtle.
You can find Chilean Myrtle and Japanese holly at Amazon.
Architectural Plants is a specialist plant nursery and garden design studio in West Sussex, UK. The team, led by owner, Guy Watts are experts in plants that are both shapely and exotic – Japanese ‘niwaki’ and European topiary, hardy palms, bananas, and other unusual tropical specimens. They have been growing and training ‘niwaki’, both established and more unusual forms, for some 30 years. Guy is a creative maintenance expert with an obsession for niwaki and bonsai.
Compose an air of stillness and serenity
Defining features don’t have to be physical objects and in Japanese garden design it’s often about the mood that’s created by multiple key elements.
‘In my experience, the defining feature of a Japanese garden is its ability to create intentional quiet,’ says Jim Fucetol, President of Moss Acres. ‘Every element – stone, water, wood, and especially moss – is arranged to reduce visual noise and invite stillness.
'Moss plays a central role here because it softens hard edges, absorbs sound, and adds an instant sense of age and permanence.
'A stone lantern covered in a gentle layer of moss feels like it has existed there for centuries, even if it was placed yesterday. That timeless quality is what makes Japanese gardens so powerful and so soothing.’
Jim Fucetola has spent more than 25 years working with live moss, supplying homeowners nationwide, partnering with garden centers, and providing specialty moss to zoos across the country. A pioneer in biophilic moss wall design, he created his first indoor moss wall over 15 years ago, well before the trend took hold.
Meaningful rocks and boulders
The distinctive character of a Japanese garden isn’t about showcasing extraordinary plants or materials but more about the deliberate way these elements are brought together to appear natural.
Often encapsulating a wild landscape in miniature, stone, in its many forms, plays an important role.
While rocks and boulders represent mountains, permanence and stability, smaller pebbles and gravel can symbolize water, movement and fluidity. By thoughtfully selecting and placing these stones, landscape designers can convey a specific message and dictate how the garden is experienced.
For instance, smooth flat stones are often used as stepping stones either set in water or fine gravel, encouraging visitors to break their stride, pause and contemplate their surroundings rather than simply walk through.
Upright, rugged boulders are often set within areas of raked gravel to denote mountain ranges and their enduring nature.
Shirakawa-suna is the traditional gravel choice for levelling and raking into specific patterns, and is available from specialist suppliers, but pea gravel available from Amazon is a good alternative. Don't forget to invest in a Japanese wooden garden rake, also from Amazon, for pattern making.
Traditional Japanese lanterns
Originating from China and originally used to light the outside of a temple, lanterns or 'toro', have evolved to become an iconic sight in a Japanese garden.
Initially made from metal but soon replaced with stone, they take many different forms, each with their own name, purpose and meaning.
Offering a fascinating insight into the rich history of Japanese garden design and culture, these distinctive features are one of the most frequently used in contemporary gardens of all shapes and sizes.
Designs include Yukimi toro, a snow-viewing lantern with its wide overhanging roof and low legs, and the elevated Oribe-doro lantern with it’s four side, cube firebox and stone pedestal that sits directly into the ground.
If you're tempted to include one in your yard, you might like this Yukimi-inspired design from Walmart.
If you are looking to include some these Japanese design features in your garden, then take care to surround them with the best plants for a Japanese garden and the best trees for a Japanese garden.
