While the formal gardens that developed in Europe tended towards being highly manicured and carefully crafted to be symetrical (like for example the beautiful formal gardens at Versailles Palace), Japanese gardens evolved a little differently.  In fact, they tend to be designed to mirror nature a little more than European designs, and of course, given Japan's rugged coastline and many mountains, they can often look far more haphazard than their European counterparts. However, these gardens are just as tightly controled and planned as those in the West, sometimes even more so as I hope to point out.

In a Japanese garden, the idea is to create a layout that in fact gives an impression of being far larger than it actually is - plants, trees and ornaments are used in harmonious asymmetry with a balance between natural and man made items in an ever evolving attempt to perfectly model Yin and Yang and the careful balance that we should be in with nature. This is also seen is the use of water and mountains - water being Yin and mountains being Yang. The structures and shapes in the gardens have symbolic meaning that goes over and above their visual appearance and to truly appreciate the layout and symbolism could take many years of study of not only Japanese garden design, but also Oriental culture. Though of course this isn't necessary if you simply want to wonder around and enjoy the tranquillity that often seems to pervade these gardens.

So what sorts of things might you find in a Japanese garden? Well, starting with the most simple, though possibly quintessential item, you will probably see a stone lantern at some point in the garden. Japanese stone lanterns are incredibly beautiful items with a rich history; having been born in the Shinto temples and shrines, these ornately carved structures made their way into general use into formal tea gardens and eventually into every day use in gardens in Japan because of their usefulness and also their beauty. Other Japanese garden ornaments often include a bridge of some sorts - often wooden as well as torrii gateways. The torri gateways are awesome - free-standing open gates, often a lovely bright red that usually mark the entrance into sacred space or Shinto shrines. Walking through a torrii gateway is said to cleanse a person and prepares them to pray.

The great thing about Japanese gardens is that the whole structure is not always visible. Instead, portions of the garden are revealed as you walk through, so you are often left with surprise and anticipation about what will come next. Though often very brightly coloured flowering plants are used sparsely in the Japanese style garden, evergreen shrubs and trees fill the landscape and are used to symbolize permanence, while pine trees symbolise longevity. Cherry trees that flower and bloom for only a few days a year are planted to remind us of the fleeting and transitory nature of life itself. Even with the natural elements though, the gardens are carefully controlled so some plants are trimmed and cut to look ancient and windswept, while others have been pruned to represent hills, clouds or other natural phenomena.

I hope that's given you a good introduction to Japanese garden design and layout. It's a facinating subject to explore and filled with a rich amount of cultural history.