It is important to have somewhere in your japanese garden a pagoda feature. Buddhist influence type of statues as well give the ambiance and overall message of this type of garden.
Asymmetry – All Japanese gardens have asymmetrical garden design. Why? Because there are no straight lines or geometric shapes in natural landscapes, only curves.
Balance - These principles will work together to create the proper balance in your Japanese garden.
Borrowed scenery – Japanese gardens like to “borrow scenery” from either nature or the neighbours. The side of a mountain, an old tree, or a temple are examples of “borrowed scenery” that can form a great backdrop to the garden’s landscaping. The garden enhances the background scenery; it doesn’t try to hide or mask it.
Contemplation – Grounded in Taoist, Buddhist, and Shinto philosophies, all Japanese gardens are meant for contemplation. They are meant to be admired, but not entered.
Enclosure – Many Japanese gardens are meant to be viewed from the inside of a building or a house. A large window acts as a picture frame, framing the view. Many residential gardens are placed in a central courtyard, to be viewed and contemplated from a number of different angles.
Nature – The more a Japanese garden emulates nature, the more conducive it is to contemplation. A natural look does not mean low maintenance. All Japanese gardens are actually the opposite: gravel must be raked daily with no leaf debris, trees and shrubs must be meticulously pruned, and even moss is swept daily. Japanese garden designers are considered more as artists than gardeners.
Paths – In strolling gardens, paths of gravel, sand, or stepping stones take the visitor on a journey of planned vistas to enjoy.
Plants – When it comes to plants, Japanese garden design favours mostly the green palette in different shapes, sizes, and textures: trees, flowering shrubs (azaleas are popular and take well to lots or pruning), lawns, ferns, and mosses are preferred. Flowering trees, like plums and cherries, are prized for their open branch work in winter as well as stunning spring flower displays. Pine trees are greatly valued and typically cloud-pruned. Bamboo, a symbol of good fortune, is also a favourite.
This information and additional information in regards to structural elements can be found at the following website:
