Japan Houzz: A Japanese Tea Garden Brings the Outdoors In
These homeowners wanted a private internal garden centred around precious moments and cycles of nature
藤間紗花
20 July 2022
The young couple who bought this property in Ōmihachiman, in Japan’s Shiga Prefecture, were unsure what they should do with the courtyard garden in their new home. Being surrounded by the living room, a room designed according to traditional Japanese customs, and a hallway on three sides as well as a pathway and fence on the fourth, the inner garden had the benefit of privacy. However, living in isolation during the pandemic made the couple feel that this secluded space was cold and artificial.
Garden at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple in their thirties
Location: Ōmihachiman, Japan
Garden dimensions: About 15.5 square metres
Designer: Taijiro Enatsu of Enatsu Garden Architect
Completion date: July 2021
This period also got them thinking about natural cycles and growing older with every passing second. What came to mind was the fleeting nature of human life as we hand the baton to each next generation, and the process of blooming and withering, which leaves seeds for a new cycle. They decided to commission a garden that would mirror their view on life and death and the beauty of nature.
Who lives here: A couple in their thirties
Location: Ōmihachiman, Japan
Garden dimensions: About 15.5 square metres
Designer: Taijiro Enatsu of Enatsu Garden Architect
Completion date: July 2021
This period also got them thinking about natural cycles and growing older with every passing second. What came to mind was the fleeting nature of human life as we hand the baton to each next generation, and the process of blooming and withering, which leaves seeds for a new cycle. They decided to commission a garden that would mirror their view on life and death and the beauty of nature.
After reaching out to a few landscape architects and garden designers through Houzz, they chose Enatsu Garden Architect as the most suitable match.
The owners thought that the other gardeners they spoke to had clear dominant styles, and worried that this would distract from the values they wanted to imbue in the garden. Enatsu, however, gave them clear suggestions based on their needs, so the owners felt they could count on him to realise their vision.
Thinking of redesigning your garden? Find a landscape architect or designer near you to make your vision a reality
The owners thought that the other gardeners they spoke to had clear dominant styles, and worried that this would distract from the values they wanted to imbue in the garden. Enatsu, however, gave them clear suggestions based on their needs, so the owners felt they could count on him to realise their vision.
Thinking of redesigning your garden? Find a landscape architect or designer near you to make your vision a reality
The homeowners requested a garden that combined design and functionality to perfection. On top of its visual beauty, they wanted a space to enjoy tea parties with friends who have a taste for Japanese tea ceremonies, and where they could reflect, relax, and feel at home.
To achieve this, Enatsu proposed a tea garden that would not only be beautiful from all three sides, but also practical.
“This garden will have many visitors, including the owners’ friends. And when it does, it has to be functional as well as visually appealing. It’s a compact space that’s around 15.5 square metres; I came up with various ways to ease access from all sides,” says Enatsu.
“This garden will have many visitors, including the owners’ friends. And when it does, it has to be functional as well as visually appealing. It’s a compact space that’s around 15.5 square metres; I came up with various ways to ease access from all sides,” says Enatsu.
Among them is the open veranda – built next to the room designed in traditional Japanese customs – which takes the style of a small timber deck. The traditional room has two sliding doors. As the doors are quite high off the ground, stepping stones would have been necessary to help people safely enter and exit the room, and the two doors would have required two large rocks to be placed into the relatively small garden. Thanks to the deck, they were able to make do with a single stepping stone.
A stone washbasin is a necessity in a tea garden to allow participants to cleanse their hands, so a washbasin is accessible from the open veranda.
The path from the living room was created using gravel, designed to make general maintenance tasks such as weeding and watering easier.
You can walk across the small passageways provided on three sides. These also protect the home’s foundation from mud and dirt.
Browse more beautifully designed Japanese-inspired gardens
You can walk across the small passageways provided on three sides. These also protect the home’s foundation from mud and dirt.
Browse more beautifully designed Japanese-inspired gardens
Of course, this tranquil Japanese garden doesn’t just focus on functional aspects, but also brings visual appeal.
There are 15 types of plants in the garden. To portray the philosophy dear to the homeowners, Enatsu focused on selecting plants whose appearance changes each season, representing a natural ‘ebb and flow’.
“I took care of most of the planting design. The owners really wanted plants with autumnal leaves. I planted a maple tree, which turns red, and Japanese spicebush, which turns yellow. Now they can look forward to the contrasting red and yellow tones during autumn,” he says.
There are 15 types of plants in the garden. To portray the philosophy dear to the homeowners, Enatsu focused on selecting plants whose appearance changes each season, representing a natural ‘ebb and flow’.
“I took care of most of the planting design. The owners really wanted plants with autumnal leaves. I planted a maple tree, which turns red, and Japanese spicebush, which turns yellow. Now they can look forward to the contrasting red and yellow tones during autumn,” he says.
There is a white-flowered camellia next to the living room. Not only is it evergreen, but it will also decorate the tea room with seasonal flowers when in bloom from October to March. What’s more, the dreamy falling petals reveal the tree’s stalks, closely resembling the owners’ views on the circle of life.
It took about four days to build this Japanese courtyard garden. Enatsu was meticulous about the materials chosen because of its compact space. “I carefully selected each and every stone for the garden and washbasin. Stones that were too big were no good, but those that were too small looked thin. Although it was quite challenging creating a small garden, it was a real pleasure to be a part of this project.”
The homeowners are also really pleased with the result, telling us that they especially appreciate its unique beauty, which could not have been found in anything manufactured or prefabricated. They tell us they are looking forward to seeing it change each season.
Initially, owners were not particularly interested in the garden’s plants, but say that the result has completely exceeded their expectations, and that they were blown away when they saw the finished garden.
Your turn
Which design elements in this garden do you love the most? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images to inspire your own outdoor space, and join the conversation.
More
Get your next dose of beautiful global design here with this London Houzz: Modern Meets Vintage in a Renovated Terrace
Initially, owners were not particularly interested in the garden’s plants, but say that the result has completely exceeded their expectations, and that they were blown away when they saw the finished garden.
Your turn
Which design elements in this garden do you love the most? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images to inspire your own outdoor space, and join the conversation.
More
Get your next dose of beautiful global design here with this London Houzz: Modern Meets Vintage in a Renovated Terrace
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A very tranquil courtyard space. Plants are a wonderful way to be surrounded by nature and feel beauty. Great use of color for fall too.
This is lovely. So serene, thoughtful and elegant. It seems like the perfect place to reflect, relax, meditate and share with a small group. I would love to see more of this type of personal retreats on Houzz.
Maple tree, stepping stone & Japanese water fountain....quintessential Japanese garden items. Very calming, serene & classy. More of these please. Thanku.