Creating a Japanese-Style Garden

Japanese gardens were originally created as spaces for meditation and reflection. This concept was designed for the Japanese ruling elite to find peace amid the storms of conflicts and wars at the time. To this day, the soothing concept of Japanese gardens remains a trend and a preserved cultural tradition.

People today are returning to the concept of 'back to nature,' especially as the world becomes more crowded, and life is increasingly stressful. Having a place to relax is a necessity. Here are some inspirations for designing a Japanese-style garden.

1. Learn the Basics of Japanese Gardens

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To gain inspiration for a Japanese-style garden, you must first understand its fundamentals. One type of Japanese-style garden to consider is the rock garden. This style can be applied by incorporating elements of sand and stone. It does not contain water elements and is designed to depict mountain and river landscapes. Raked sand patterns represent rivers, while stones placed on the sand symbolize mountains.

2. Preserve Japanese Garden Culture

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If your goal is to create an authentic Japanese garden, you will need knowledge to truly showcase Japanese culture. While you can find Japanese-style garden ideas, many ideas tend to originate from Chinese culture. Additions such as hanging red flowers and bridges covering small rivers actually come from Chinese traditions and are often mistaken for Japanese culture.

Many factors have influenced Japanese gardens over time, and one characteristic of an authentic Japanese garden is the absence of brightly colored or vividly colored plants. Instead, monochromatic green is preferred and used as the primary color.

3. Keep it Simple and Small

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Japanese gardens are not about creating the biggest and best. Amidst all the luxurious gardens out there, Japanese gardens are proof of beautiful simplicity. For this reason, it's important to keep your design simple and small. Using simple materials is a good first step. For example, a bamboo fence acting as a boundary for your garden is a natural and easy way to enhance your garden's design. Avoid excessive plant variations.

4. Bamboo Gate

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Use a simple bamboo fence to demarcate the outer area of your garden. Creating an entrance with bamboo and attractive crosspieces gives your garden a more Japanese feel. Ensure the gate's shape has traditional Japanese characteristics.

5. Incorporate Stone Ornamental Elements

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One of the key elements in Japanese garden style is statues and stone pathways. You can create a garden with stone paths as stepping stones. Adding mini stone pagoda ornaments will enhance the distinctive Japanese atmosphere of your garden.