Study Japanese garden principles and designs. Choose the type of Japanese garden you wish to create: tea, Zen, stroll, or courtyard.
Simple, minimalist Japanese gardens are famous. Keep the design simple, emphasizing core elements over plants and embellishments.
Asymmetry and "yin and yang." create garden balance. Use contrasts like stone and gravel, light and shadow, or smooth and rough surfaces.
Include rocks, gravel, sand, water, and plants. Create focal points like islands or mountains with rocks. Patterned gravel or sand can represent water ripples or Zen meditation.
Install a pond, stream, or basin. Water represents peace and purity. A tiny bridge or stepping stones over water might offer visual attractiveness.
Plants should reflect the seasons and add color, texture, and symbolism. Include evergreens, bamboo, Japanese maple trees, moss, ferns, and cherry blossoms or azaleas.
Set up wooden pergolas, arched or flat bridges, fences, and gates. Keep it natural with bamboo, wood, and stone.
To promote peace and reflection, add Zen features like sand or gravel scraped into patterns (kare-sansui), stone arrangements (ishi-doro), or Zen rock gardens.