How To Make A Japanese Rock Garden

Japanese rock gardens allow you to experience a taste of Asia every time you step outside. Easy to install and maintain, Japanese rock gardens create a secluded space to channel your inner zen. 

 

There are many types of Japanese gardens. In Japanese rock gardens, rocks represent natural elements like mountains and rivers. The rocks are carefully placed to create miniature landscapes which form a focal part of the garden design. 

 

Here at Stone Warehouse, you’ll find all of the core materials to build a Japanese rock garden, including rocks and gravel. 

 

In this blog post, you’ll discover what you need to build a Japanese rock garden. Plus, how to go about achieving this most serene of creative garden ideas here in the UK! 

 

What You’ll Need To Create A Japanese Rock Garden

Unlike traditional landscaping projects, Japanese rock gardens focus more on symbolism rather than complicated designs. 

In fact, you don’t need to be a skilled tradesperson to create a Japanese garden, as there’s no brickwork or intense joinery to contend with. But, a little elbow grease will definitely go a long way! 

 

Tools

• Shovel: To level and dig the ground.
• Wheelbarrow: Handy for easily moving soil, gravel or rocks around your garden.  
• Spirit level: Optional, but useful to check if the ground is level before installing the gravel. 
• Measuring tape, string and spray paint: Can be used to map out your design. 
• Gloves: To protect your hands including when digging or handling rocks.
• Zen rake: To be able to rake authentic Japanese patterns into the gravel once it’s down.
• Kettle: Because no garden makeover should start without a decent brew! 
• Materials - Purchase These From Stone Warehouse. At Stone Warehouse, we’ve supplied the materials for Japanese gardens right across the UK. It couldn’t be easier to shop for what you need on our website and have it delivered to your door. So let’s get started! 

 

Key Components of a Japanese Rock Garden

• Base Layers - Once you’ve prepped your ground by levelling it out, you’ll want to ensure the surface can best support any gravel, rocks, chippings or accessories you place on top. Getting the prep work right will also extend the lifespan of your Japanese garden, plus reduce any upkeep.  
• Weed membrane - Place weed membrane over the ground so that weeds cannot grow through your gravel. 
• MOT Type 1 Sub Base - For Japanese rock garden pathways, a sub base material is placed over the weed membrane to provide additional support. 
• Japanese sand garden Alternatively, if you're not opting for the traditional rock garden look, we also stock sand which can be used for similar landscaping projects. 
• Rocks - Naturally, rocks will play a starring role in your Japanese rock garden. It is customary to use an odd number of rocks in a Japanese garden, usually between 3 and 7 statement pieces of rock. Opt for irregularly shaped rocks rather than smooth polished rocks. 
• Garden rocks - You’re spoiled for choice here at Stone Warehouse! From feature stones to boulders, discover a plethora of rock shapes and sizes. Your chosen rocks will represent mountains and islands within your Japanese garden design.
• Japanese Gravel Layers - Japanese gravel is sized between 3mm and 8mm. These ornamental garden stones can be purchased in a range of colour options based on your preferences. Your chosen gravel will then form an integral part of your design, as Japanese gravel is designed to be raked into symbolic patterns. 
• Japanese garden gravel - We’re proud to be a leading UK supplier of Japanese gravel. On our Japanese garden gravel page, we’ve selected the gravel types we stock which offer the correct sizing for this type of garden design. 
• Additional gravel & chippings - If you have any gravel pathways, then you’ll need to select a larger size of gravel than Japanese gravel for these areas. Likewise, now is also a good time to stock up on any other gravel or slate chippings needed for your wider garden transformation. 

Finishing Touches 
If you want to capture the essence of Japan, then decorative pieces like water basins, stone lanterns and bamboo fencing can look great. Although, Japanese rock gardens work just as well with minimal touches, including when moss is encouraged to grow around your statement rocks. 

Before you check out, here are some top accessories from Stone Warehouse that can be used to complete your design:
 

Edging - To contain any gravel. Edging products can be used above or below the ground. 

Compost - If you’ll be adding any plants to your Japanese rock garden, then fresh compost is essential. You can also use compost to refresh any existing borders within your garden.

Garden furniture - Once your Japanese rock garden is complete, you’ll want to take every opportunity to sit and admire it! Check out our fantastic range of garden furniture to add comfort and versatility to your new space. 

Build Your Japanese Rock Garden In 7 Easy Steps

The flight time from London to Tokyo is just shy of 14 hours. While we can’t make any promises, there is a good chance you will arrive at your new Japanese rock garden here in the UK far quicker!

 

That’s so long as your garden doesn’t require too much prep work to get going. Likewise, it helps if you’ve already ordered all of the materials from our website that we’ve listed above. 

A few extra pairs of hands also wouldn’t go amiss either!  

Once you’re ready, these are the key steps you’ll need to achieve a Japanese rock garden from scratch. 

 

Step #1 - Choose A Location

Find a quiet and flat space in your garden. Decide whether you’ll be transforming a small corner of your garden or a larger section. Ensure the area you select offers good drainage, especially if you’ll be using sand or gravel. 

 

Step #2 - Create Your Design

Use a measuring tape to establish the dimensions of your garden. Grab a piece of paper to sketch out your design to visualise how it will look. Common shapes in Japanese garden design include rectangles and ovals. Order any materials such as membrane, gravel or rocks if you haven’t already, using the above links. 

 

If you are not sure how many materials you will need for the area, either use our gravel calculator here or contact one of our team members who will talk you through what you would need to order for your project. 

 

Psst, are you new to Japanese gardens?: Check out our Japanese garden inspiration post for some design ideas!

 

Step #3 - Prepare The Base 

Clear any grass, tree roots or debris from the ground. If you want to ensure the ground is level, use a spirit level. Once you are happy with the ground preparation, lay a weed membrane over the top and secure it into place using fixing hooks. While optional, you may wish to add some crushed sand or gravel over the weed membrane to act as a sub base for your gravel. This technique can help extend the lifespan of Japanese garden pathways.

 

Step #4 - Add The Rocks (To Create The Mountains & Islands)

As the name suggests, rocks play a crucial role in any Japanese rock garden. Natural and irregular stones work best as they symbolise natural structures including mountains and islands. Arrange your odd number of large rocks (i.e. 3, 5 or 7 rocks) to form the base of your design. Position them slightly inward to create a sense of harmony, which is in keeping with Japanese garden design. 

 

Step #5 - Distribute Your Japanese Gravel, Pebbles Or Sand

Grab your chosen Japanese gravel, along with any pebbles or coarse sand. Spread your materials evenly around your garden. Make sure to distribute the material closely around any rocks for consistent ground coverage. Complete your design by adding any additional materials you’ve purchased, such as pebbles or sand. 

 

Step #6 - Rake Patterns Into The Japanese Gravel

Here comes the fun part! Use Japanese garden tools including a rake to carve patterns into the gravel. There are 7 patterns to choose from, with each pattern representing natural elements such as oceans or rivers. The act of raking Japanese gravel is also designed to evoke Zen-like feelings, so take your time here. 

 

Step #7 - Complete With Any Plants Or Accessories

It’s true that Japanese rock gardens thrive on minimalist designs. But, there is always room for some finishing touches such as moss, small shrubs or bonsai trees. Avoid adding any bright plants, as Japanese garden design favours more subtle and muted tones. Some decorative accessories to consider include a stone lantern, bamboo fountain or stepping stones if desired. Then, sit back and admire your work! 

 

Building A Japanese Rock Garden In The UK: 5 Top Tips For Success

Plan the layout carefully: Unlike traditional British garden design, Japanese gardens avoid symmetry. Instead, simple and asymmetric designs are used, while large open spaces (i.e. filled by gravel or sand) are preferred. Also, if you’ll be using larger rocks or stones, know that odd numbers represent natural harmony. 

 

Minimal design features: Japanese gardens are becoming popular in the UK, especially due to being low maintenance. A huge part of the appeal is the minimalist features of Japanese garden design, which you can use to your advantage by avoiding unnecessary clutter. 

Choose the right gravel: Fortunately, you’ve landed on the website of the UK’s leading Japanese garden gravel supplier, so you shouldn’t have an issue here! For a Japanese rock garden, small (3mm-8mm) and angular gravel is traditionally used. However, for any pathways or walkways outside of your main design, it’s best to opt for larger sized gravel for practicality reasons.

Embrace moss: Moss often doesn’t receive the credit it deserves, when it can actually be a real asset to your garden, especially when you want to replicate a Japanese look. Better still, moss thrives in damp and shaded areas, making it perfect for the British climate. Japanese rock gardens aren’t usually plant-heavy, but if you want more greenery, choose hardy dwarf conifers or evergreen shrubs.

 

Don’t forget your edging products!: Complete your Japanese rock garden purchase here at Stone Warehouse with any edging products you may need. In particular, edging is ideal for visually as well as physically separating different zones within your garden. It can also help keep any gravel in the right places.

 

Japanese Garden For Backyard FAQs

Still have questions about creating your low maintenance Japanese garden design? We’ve answered the top queries below.

 

For anything related to Japanese rock garden products which you can buy here at Stone Warehouse, please get in touch! You’ll also find more information on each individual product listing. 

 

How To Make A Small Japanese Rock Garden

A little Japanese garden will give you your own slice of Kyoto, every time you step outside! Start by focusing on a key area of your garden and map out the design. Clear any existing vegetation or hardscaping, so that the ground is level and free of any debris. You’ll then need to add a small amount of weed membrane over the area. Add in your gravel or rocks to build the design. For these smaller corners, we also recommend purchasing one of our monoliths to maximise impact. 

How To Make A Japanese Zen Rock Garden

Above, you’ll find a thorough list of steps to guide you in making a Japanese rock garden. In short, this involves clearing and preparing the ground, before mapping out your design. You’ll then need to install a selection of gravel, rocks and ornamental features so that the design looks reminiscent of an authentic Japanese garden. Depending on the size and condition of your garden, it can take a few hours up to a couple of days to complete your design. 

How To Rake A Japanese Rock Garden

If you’re considering creating a Japanese garden, investing in Japanese garden tools will help you create and maintain an authentic look. In particular, we recommend purchasing a Japanese garden rake for the job, as the rake will need to allow you to create specific patterns within the gravel. 

Once you have the right tool, there are 7 patterns to choose from known as Aranamimon, Ichimatsumon, Mizumon, Ryūsui, Sazanamimon and Tachinamimon. To perfect these patterns, we recommend looking at images or video tutorials, as each raking pattern is performed differently based on the natural element it represents! 

 

What Kind Of Gravel For A Japanese Rock Garden?

It’s your garden, so technically there are no rules as to the gravel material, colour or size you select. But for the most authentic looking gravel in terms of Japanese design, crushed granite, light colours and pea gravel are popular choices. 

 

Japanese gardens are designed to be raked regularly. The larger the gravel you use, the more difficult this will be, so you’ll notice that our Japanese garden gravel is sized between 3mm and 8mm. 

 

However, it also depends on the type of surface. For gravel paths, we always recommend a larger gravel size of 10mm-14mm. 

 

What Kind Of Rocks Are Used In Japanese Gardens?

A wide variety of rocks can be used to build a Japanese garden. Key materials include granite, basalt and limestone. 

 

At Stone Warehouse, you’ll find everything from smaller pebbles and chippings through to statement monoliths for a Japanese rock garden. We recommend selecting a variety of rock materials, sizes and colours from our range. This will enable you to build a creative design that you’ll enjoy for many years to come! 

 

What Happens To Zen Gardens When It Rains?

In the UK, our wet and damp conditions aren’t always seen in a positive light. But when you install a Japanese rock garden, rainy weather actually enhances the colours of the stones and gravel. 

 

Similarly, these conditions also promote the growth of moss, which is a famous characteristic of Japanese garden design. While moss has air purifying benefits, it also adds soft contrast to the colour of your rocks, gravel or pebbles. 

 

Overall, when the rain visits zen gardens, it can enhance the peace and tranquillity you experience. Pair with a Japanese style water feature for the ultimate sense of serenity, even throughout the wetter months of the year. 

 

Purchase Japanese Rock Garden Supplies At Stone Warehouse

Stone Warehouse is a leading UK supplier of decorative aggregates, such as gravel, paving, boulders and more. 

Whether you are planning to transform a small area of your garden, or are opting for a grander Japanese-inspired look, you’ll find all of the key accessories you need on our website!

 

Enjoy browsing the products we have to offer, with nationwide UK delivery available. 

 

If you need any help with your purchase, please contact us and we’ll be in touch shortly. 

 

You’ll also find plenty of design inspiration for Japanese rock gardens over on our Pinterest and Instagram pages. 

 

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