Japanese gardens shrink a landscape to a walk: ponds become seas, rocks become islands and every turn of the path is arranged to show a new view.
Zen gardens go further, raking gravel into water around a handful of stones, meant for sitting and looking rather than walking.
When to goAll year. Plum and azalea in spring, iris in June, maples in November, snow ropes on the pines in winter.
Where to go
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KanazawaIshikawa · 石川Kenroku-en, one of the Three Great Gardens. -
OkayamaOkayama · 岡山Koraku-en, another of the three, with the castle beyond. -
MitoIbaraki · 茨城Kairaku-en, the third, famous for its plum blossom. -
KyotoKyoto · 京都Ryoan-ji's rock garden, the moss garden of Saiho-ji and Katsura. -
Adachi MuseumShimane · 島根Often ranked Japan's best garden, seen framed through windows. -
TakamatsuKagawa · 香川Ritsurin, a huge lord's garden with a teahouse.
Good to know
- Gardens open early; first thing in the morning is calm and the light is best.
- Many gardens have a teahouse serving matcha and a sweet with the view.
- Saiho-ji (the moss temple) needs booking in advance.