15 Japanese Gardens You’ll Fall in Love With

Japanese gardens are a perfect balance of nature, tranquility, and tradition. They blend art and the environment into peaceful spaces. These gardens offer not just beauty but a quiet retreat from the chaos of daily life. If you’ve ever dreamed of wandering through a zen paradise, you’re in for a treat! Here’s a list of 15 stunning Japanese gardens that showcase the beauty of the Japanese landscape.

Kenroku-en Garden (Kanazawa, Japan)

In Kanazawa, Kenroku-en is one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens and has a harmonious blend of the six essential attributes of a perfect Japanese garden: spaciousness, seclusion, antiquity, artificiality, abundant water, and broad views. Wander through its winding paths and discover ancient teahouses, cascading streams, and its famous lantern, the Kotoji Toro, which elegantly arches over the pond.

Ryoan-ji (Kyoto, Japan)

A zen masterpiece, Ryoan-ji’s dry rock garden, also known as a karesansui, is a world-renowned symbol of simplicity and meditation. With fifteen carefully placed rocks amidst a sea of raked white gravel, this garden invites endless interpretations. Seen from the temple’s veranda, no matter where you stand, one rock is always hidden from view—further enhancing the garden’s philosophical allure.

Kiyosumi Garden (Tokyo, Japan)

This gem in Tokyo offers a picturesque stroll garden designed to be admired from various viewpoints. Kiyosumi Garden features ponds with small islets, arched stone bridges, and rare stones collected from all over Japan. Its reflective waters and carefully arranged landscape provide an oasis of calm. The garden also has a rich historical background, having once belonged to a feudal lord.

Adachi Museum of Art Garden (Shimane, Japan)

Known as one of the most beautiful Japanese gardens in the world, the Adachi Museum of Art Garden seamlessly combines modern art with traditional gardening techniques. The lush greenery, mossy rocks, and serene ponds are carefully curated to complement the art displayed inside the museum. Due to its visual appeal throughout all four seasons, it has been ranked first in Japan for over a decade.

Shinjuku Gyoen (Tokyo, Japan)

Originally an imperial garden, Shinjuku Gyoen offers an exquisite blend of three distinct styles: Japanese, French, and English landscapes. Its Japanese section stands out with traditional teahouses, ponds, and iconic cherry blossoms in spring. The garden’s vast expanse with over 20,000 trees provides a peaceful retreat in the heart of Tokyo’s Shinjuku district.

Koraku-en (Okayama, Japan)

Constructed in the early Edo period, Koraku-en is another of Japan’s Three Great Gardens. Its wide-open spaces, meticulously designed paths, and expansive ponds create a sense of freedom and flow. The garden offers a beautiful blend of water features, teahouses, and rice fields, reflecting Japan’s agricultural roots. Surrounding it is the Okayama Castle, which adds a deeper layer of history to your visit.

Portland Japanese Garden (Portland, Oregon, USA)

This one is widely regarded as one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan. Its different garden styles, ranging from a tranquil flat garden to a dynamic waterfall, invite contemplation and peace. The garden also features a cultural village with Japanese art exhibits and tea ceremonies, thus making it a cultural hub for Japanese traditions.

Kokedera (Kyoto, Japan)

Commonly known as the Moss Temple, Kokedera is noted for its enchanting landscape carpeted with over 120 types of moss. Visitors must participate in a short calligraphy practice and Buddhist chant before exploring the garden, deepening the connection to its spiritual roots. The garden’s serenity and lush green textures create a fairy-tale-like ambiance that feels both ancient and otherworldly.

Gardens of the Imperial Palace East (Tokyo, Japan)

This stunning garden offers a glimpse into the grandeur of Japan’s imperial history, featuring traditional elements such as koi-filled ponds, stone lanterns, and carefully trimmed trees. It is located on the former site of Edo Castle, with ruins of the original walls and guardhouses still visible. Free to the public, this tranquil garden is a popular escape in the heart of Tokyo.

Hama Rikyu Gardens (Tokyo, Japan)

Once a hunting ground for the Shogun, Hama Rikyu Gardens is now a peaceful waterfront retreat with views of Tokyo Bay. The garden is famous for its tidal ponds, which change with the sea level, and its teahouse, located on a small island in the middle of the water. It’s an elegant reminder of the city’s samurai past that offers a juxtaposition of old-world charm and modern cityscapes.

Tenryu-ji (Kyoto, Japan)

Tenryu-ji Temple’s UNESCO World Heritage Site garden perfectly represents the art of borrowed scenery, where the surrounding mountains are incorporated into the design. A large central pond reflects these mountains and the lush greenery surrounding it. With roots dating back to the 14th century, this garden is both a place of historical reverence and natural beauty.

Ginkaku-ji (Kyoto, Japan)

Ginkaku-ji, AKA the Silver Pavilion, offers a peaceful retreat filled with meticulously raked sand gardens and reflective ponds. Unlike its golden counterpart, Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji emphasizes simplicity and subtlety, which are at the heart of Zen aesthetics. The shoguns once used it as a retreat spot away from their administrative duties. Many people say that the great landscape artist Soami designed this garden.

Happo-en (Tokyo, Japan)

Meaning “beautiful from all angles,” Happo-en certainly lives up to its name. The garden features winding paths around a large koi pond, cherry blossoms, and bonsai trees that are over 500 years old. Happo-en is often used for weddings and traditional tea ceremonies, making it an iconic spot for those seeking a traditional Japanese experience in the modern metropolis of Tokyo.

Katsura Imperial Villa (Kyoto, Japan)

Katsura Imperial Villa is a show-stopping part of Japanese garden architecture, with its carefully designed ponds, bridges, and stepping stones. The villa was built in the early Edo period for the imperial family, and its design emphasizes a sense of “hide-and-reveal” as you explore the garden, creating an unfolding experience of beauty at every turn.

Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden (New York, USA)

The Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden gives a tranquil escape from the city. Its meandering paths, Shinto shrine, and authentic wooden bridges transport visitors into a serene Japanese landscape. Seasonal events such as cherry blossom festivals bring the garden to life, where people can enjoy a cultural gem in the heart of New York City.