In the modern architectural environment of IJburg in Amsterdam, Yokoso Japanese Gardens was commissioned to design and realize an exclusive Japanese garden. The challenge was to transform a relatively narrow outdoor space adjacent to a contemporary residence into an authentic Japanese garden landscape that combines natural beauty, centuries-old traditions, and modern architecture. By making optimal use of the available space, a refined design emerged in which each element was carefully selected and positioned to create a harmonious and relaxing environment.
As a starting point for the design, we chose a traditional Japanese landscape island, surrounded by a sea of black pebbles. This composition is inspired by the Japanese tradition of Karesansui, where water and natural landscapes are symbolically represented by stones and gravel. The island’s coastline is formed by a carefully composed group of characteristic natural stones. Their various sizes, shapes, and textures refer to a rocky coastline, while subtle vegetation between the stones softens the transition between land and water.
The centerpiece of the composition is formed by an imposing Japanese juniper tree, whose carefully trimmed, woolly branches create an impressive sculptural silhouette. Around this extraordinary tree were included various evergreen plants and colorful Satsuki azaleas, which with their exuberant blooms provide a beautiful seasonal accent. A traditional Kasuga gata Ishidōrō, a monumental Japanese stone lantern, forms a second important vertical element and gives the design an authentic, timeless look.
To experience the garden from different perspectives, we designed a traditional Nobedan path, built from antique millstones and silver-gray granite elements. The path leads along the landscape island to an intimate wooden veranda in the corner of the garden. Here, a sheltered spot is created where the residents can enjoy the carefully composed garden landscape in complete tranquility. The combination of natural materials, traditional Japanese elements, and sleek architectural lines forms a particularly balanced harmony between historical garden art and contemporary design.

After completing the design process, our team began the construction of this special Japanese garden in IJburg. The limited width of the outdoor space required precise planning and meticulous execution, with the mutual relationships between the various components being essential. The foundation was laid by delineating the central landscape island and the surrounding paths. This involved constantly taking into account the main sightlines from the house and from the wooden veranda, so that the garden would form a balanced composition from every position.
One of the most important parts of the construction was the placement of the large decorative natural stone blocks that form the coastline of the island. Within traditional Japanese garden design, this technique is called Ishigumi: the art of arranging stones into a natural, harmonious composition. Each stone was carefully selected for shape, color, texture, and character. By partially embedding the stones into the substrate, the impression of a naturally formed rocky landscape was created. The surrounding space was then finished off with smooth, black river stones, which form a powerful contrast with the lighter natural stones and the vibrant greenery of the island.
Subsequently, characteristic Japanese forms of trees and plantings were installed. The monumental, woolly-shrub-like juniper forms the green centerpiece of the garden and was combined with Satsuki azaleas, evergreen ground cover plants, and subtle accents of ferns and ornamental grasses. The traditional Kasuga-gata stone lantern was given a prominent place next to the island, where its height and refined design form an important architectural accent. The various elements were carefully coordinated to create a natural whole in which no single element dominates the other elements.
A special part of the construction was the creation of the traditional Nobedan path. Here, antique millstones were combined with new, silver-gray granite paving stones. This special material combination brings together historical elements and modern finishing touches, creating a pleasant walking route through the garden. The wooden veranda and the various natural barriers complete the overall design. The application of vertical wooden slats and a traditional bamboo fence created a enclosed outdoor space where privacy, architecture, and natural beauty are mutually enhanced.