Designed for recreation, aesthetic pleasure, contemplation or meditation, Japanese gardens derive their beauty from mixing and blending basic elements such as water, rocks and sand, stone lanterns, garden bridges, garden gates and trees and flowers. While there are different Japanese garden styles such as rock or zen gardens where white sand or gravel replaces water, stroll gardens in which the visitor follows a path around the garden to see meticulously composed landscapes or small courtyard gardens, the Japanese garden design generally follows two basic principles of reduced scale and symbolization in an attempt to capture the natural beauties of nature.

Check our Japanese Garden design ideas to style up your garden and bring that same tranquil serenity into your own backyard!