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Japan is shrouded in mystique and ancient history, and the perfect way to unravel this enigma is by exploring its landscape gardens. Their basic design is based on capturing the grace and beauty of nature and bringing it into daily life. As simplistic as this may sound, the true magnificence of Japanese gardens is profound. They create soulful, refined and elegant spaces, a humbleness surrounded by nature. Landscape gardening has been an art form in Japan for centuries. Their designs can be put into three distinctive groups, namely hill gardens, dry gardens and tea gardens and can include everything from courtyards to streams and basic, austere spaces to lush, tropical environments. Some are highly groomed, while others look almost wild. The general landscaping theme is based on the principle of minimalist simplicity, including understated contrasts in hues and textures of green, and a near flawless harmony with the elements. This accord is attained through repetition and a semblance of balance. Japanese gardens generally follow several basic design principles: they are hugely reduced in scale, they are enclosed, the angle of view is crucial, they borrow scenery, and they hold balance and symbolism. Most Japanese gardens endeavor to duplicate the environment in miniature. The Japanese garden is a work of living art and a reflection of the Japanese spirit. Nothing is left to chance; every living thing in a garden exists for a reason and stands as a symbol for something else in Japanese culture. A simple garden walkway could reveal to us a part of the richness of Japanese history or its metaphorical significance. Japanese gardens aesthetically please all the senses - the resonant sound of the bamboo wind chimes in a silent garden, the textures and shades of the foliage; but it's the serene simplicity and stillness as found in the Tsukiyama style garden that enchant all who experience it. Tsukiyama style gardens reflect nature in miniature and consist of hills, stones, ponds, streams, bridges and paths, and vary in the way they are viewed. Smaller garden varieties are typically enjoyed from one viewpoint, like a temple's veranda, while the gardens more generously proportioned benefit from a circular path. Zen Buddhist-inspired Karesansui style gardens encapsulate poetry, religious belief, and a link to the past. They are an ever-changing symphony that imitates abstract variations of natural landscapes by using sand, stones and gravel. Individually, we experience Japanese gardens in our own way. There is no right or wrong way to view a garden - one only needs to look in from the outside and the Japanese garden will reveal itself, or from the inside out, as one would in a Chaniwa style garden. Chaniwa style gardens are visually stimulating and characteristically include stepping stones that lead to a tea house. En route, a guest will come across stone lanterns and a stone basin in which to purify themselves before partaking in a traditional tea ceremony. Tea Ceremonies Integral to many garden experiences is the Japanese tea ceremony. The ceremony, largely influenced by Zen Buddhism, dates back several centuries and is the ritualistic form of preparing and receiving tea (Sado). Japanese, with an interest in their own culture, take tea ceremony lessons that last many years, and often span a lifetime. A tea practitioner needs to have a thorough knowledge of tea production and the rituals performed. The kimono-clad server must also have an understanding of calligraphy, incense, flower arranging, ceramics and numerous other artistic traditions, in addition to tea practices. Following a symbolic purification of the utensils, the host uses a bamboo whisk to blend water with the tea. Each hand movement is prescribed. The bowl is then handed to the guest who places it in his left hand, steadying it with the right, giving a low, silent bow of thanks. Before drinking, he turns the face of the bowl away from his lips. Kenrokuen Gardens The finest tea garden experience can be found at the Kenrokuen Gardens, in Kanazawa, which took nearly two centuries to build. It is considered by many as the best garden in all of Japan and was once the private garden of the Maeda family who ruled from Kanazawa Castle. The spacious Kenrokuen Gardens features secluded stone gardens and is abundant with streams, waterfalls and ponds. Broad views are offered from the numerous bridges, and reflective tea ceremonies are performed at the teahouses. To get there: Take the JR Joetsu Shinkansen train line from Tokyo to Echigo-Yuzawa Station and transfer to the JR Hakutaka limited express to Kanazawa. The journey should take about four hours. A bus ride from Kanazawa Station to Kenrokuen takes about 15 minutes. Korakuen Gardens Built in the 17 th century by a local feudal lord, Korakuen Gardens are ranked as one of Japan's most beautiful landscape gardens. The gardens contain ponds, woods, teahouses and pavilions and are overlooked by Okayama Castle. Due to its black exterior, Okayama Castle is also known as " Crow Castle". It was built in 1597 and then completely destroyed in World War II, but was rebuilt in the 1960s. Today the castle houses a modern day museum. To get there: Korakuen Gardens are in the south-eastern province of Okayama Prefecture, whose capital city, Okayama, is a major transportation hub. The Sanyo Shinkansen train line runs through Okayama and is approximately four hours from Tokyo and 50 minutes from Osaka. Take a streetcar bound for Higashiyma from the front of the station. At the third stop, Shiroshita Station, get off and take a five minute walk to Korakuen, to the east. Kairakuen Gardens Mito's Kairakuen Gardens is famed for its acres of plum trees and is understandably at its best during the blossom season in late February and March. The Mito Plum Festival is held every year from February 20 to March 31. Kairakuen (meaning 'park to be enjoyed together') was created by the local lord at the time, Tokugawa Nariaki. Unlike the other two great gardens, Kairakuen was open to the public and did not purely serve to please the ruling lord. Other than the plum tree forest, Kairakuen also boasts cedar woods and bamboo groves. To get there: Kairakuen is located in Mito, the capital of Ibaraki Prefecture, and is one hour northeast of Tokyo. Mito is easily accessed from Tokyo's Ueno Station by the Joban Line. The "Super Hitachi" takes 65 minutes, while local trains take twice as long. From Mito Station, Kairakuen can be reached in a pleasant 30 minute walk along Senba Lake (a good English city map of Mito is available at the station's sightseeing information desk) or in 15 minutes by bus. During the peak of the plum festival (20 February to 31 March), the trains on the Joban Line stop at the temporarily served Kairakuen Station, which stands just next to the garden. From the marvellously grand landscaped gardens to tiny, curb-side shrub arrangements, nature encompasses Japanese life at all levels. At times you will be left speechless, other times breathless, but when you leave, you will do so with a lifetime of memories. Cindy Lou Dale is an award winning writer and photo-journalist who heralds from a small farming community in Southern Africa. She has studied in the United States, the UK, South Africa and mainland Europe. Her career has moved her around the world: Beverley Hills to Bosnia, Cape Town to the Congo, Kentucky to Kenya, Miami to Mozambique. In 1998 she immigrated to England and from there recently relocated to Belgium. .

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