When it comes to creating a zen, tranquil backyard space, nothing beats landscaping designs for a backyard Japanese garden. Combining elements from stones and sand to water and light, the balance of these types of backyard gardens can’t help but feel peaceful. Are you wanting to create your own private oasis to relax? Today, we’re discussing the elements used in a backyard Japanese garden so you can see how this design style can transform your space.
Creating a Backyard Japanese Garden
A backyard Japanese garden seamlessly integrates into its surroundings through purposeful landscape design filled with significance and rich in tradition. If you’ve ever been to a Japanese garden before, you cannot help but feel the tranquility wash over you as you enter the immaculately designed space. The incredible thing about a backyard Japanese garden is that it can provide so much peace without requiring too much maintenance, as well. This gives you more time for enjoying it!
What makes a backyard Japanese garden so special? Their beauty and zen qualities stem from their different components working together harmoniously. Whether you’re looking for how to landscape a big backyard or getting creative with how to landscape a small yard space, these components are adaptable to meet your needs without sacrificing the overall look.
Some common elements used in a backyard Japanese garden are:
- Tranquil water features
- Bridges and walkways
- Stones, gravel, and sand
- A lantern
- Water basins
- Backyard Japanese garden landscaping
Backyard Japanese Garden Water Features
One of the central elements to any backyard Japanese garden is a water feature installation. Many times you may find this in the form of a backyard koi pond, but there are no set rules for how to incorporate different water feature designs into the space. For smaller spaces, pondless waterfalls or fountains are perfect to give your backyard Japanese garden the water element without cluttering the space. Other popular elements used in a backyard Japanese garden are waterfall features, streams, and water basins.
Water holds a significant place in backyard Japanese garden design, where it functions as an expression of nature while symbolizing renewal, calm, and the hereafter.
Bonus: NVS Waterscapes, a division of NVS Landscapes, will give your backyard Japanese garden the water feature installation of your dreams. From backyard koi ponds to smaller accent fountains, we’ll bring your vision to life and help you relax in your private oasis!
Bridges and Walkways
Other common elements of a backyard Japanese garden to include in your space are bridges and pathways. Similar to the importance of water features, bridges and walkways are of special significance with Japanese garden design, representing a communication and connection with nature around you. Keeping with a zen feel, your backyard Japanese garden bridge should be built of stones, wood, or bamboo to continue incorporating natural elements.
Walkways and paths made using stepping stones, gravel, sand, or even dirt are meant to allow someone to view different aspects of your backyard Japanese garden. The versatility of these elements mean they can be represented in any form. For example, in a smaller space, this could be a simple path from the door to your garden area. For larger backyards, you could have walkways that extend to more secluded or private seating areas like a patio installation, creating a more intimate spot.
Stones, Gravel, and Sand in Backyard Japanese Gardens
As with every element used in a backyard Japanese garden, materials like stones, gravel, and sand all hold special significance in history and tradition. In today’s backyard Japanese gardens, large stones paired with water features are often meant to represent hills or mountains. Smaller rocks, gravel, and sand are used to line ponds and streams, giving a natural look to your backyard Japanese garden and making it appear as if it simply sprang from the ground.
Japanese Garden Lantern
Another significant element to include in your backyard Japanese garden is a lantern. Lanterns, especially a traditional stone lantern, come in a wide range of shapes and sizes but are always associated with Japanese garden features. Historically used to guide visitors during evening tea ceremonies, the light of the lantern was also considered to be representative of the light of knowledge clearing away the clouds of ignorance.
For your backyard Japanese garden, a stone lantern adds a visual element of beauty and tranquility. Functional lanterns also give you light to enjoy your garden after the sun has set.
Backyard Japanese Garden Landscaping
We couldn’t possibly round out the list of elements used in a backyard Japanese garden without discussing the special importance of landscaping! A backyard Japanese garden is meant to be a fully-immersive experience that transports you from the hustle and bustle of your daily life to a tranquil space to relax and unwind. To that end, no Japanese-inspired garden is complete without purposeful landscaping with plants, trees, and shrubs to finish the look.
Our Capital regional landscaping professionals will know the best trees to plant in Upstate NY to add shade and incorporate landscape privacy ideas to your backyard Japanese garden. We’ll also guide you to the best plants, shrubs, and flowers to create the perfect relaxing environment you dream of.
As you can see, the elements used in a backyard Japanese garden come together to create a peaceful, calming space. They’re not only beautiful but add value to your home with a polished, professional look. Ready to create your own dream backyard Japanese garden? Head over to the NVS Project Planner to start planning and budgeting your garden. Submit the plans to us and one of our landscape professionals in Albany, Saratoga, Colonie, and the surrounding areas will be in contact to get started!
Want some more inspiration for creating the backyard of your dreams? Take a look at these backyard makeover ideas to create the space you’ve always wanted:
