Yokoso in Japan

A world full of inspiration

Yokoso Japanese Gardens stands for a deep appreciation of the Japanese garden tradition, craftsmanship, and aesthetics. We draw on this knowledge not only through books or examples from afar. Several times a year we travel throughout Japan to visit our partners, select new materials, meet professionals, and further deepen our knowledge.

During these trips, we visit partners spread across the country. From suppliers of natural stone, lanterns and garden ornaments to specialized growers, artisans and producers of traditional Japanese materials. It is these personal connections that are of great value to us. By returning regularly, we establish long-term partnerships and gain access to special objects, materials and knowledge that are often difficult to find outside of Japan.

In addition to our business visits, we deliberately take the time to explore inspiring gardens. Famous historical gardens, temple gardens and tea gardens, but also smaller private gardens and contemporary designs. Each garden tells a different story about composition, space, rhythm, stone, water and plants. Sometimes the inspiration lies in an impressive landscape, but just as often in a small detail: the position of a single stone, the transition between moss and gravel, a carefully shaped pine tree or the way a view is framed.

Traditional Japanese woodwork also plays an important role in our travels. We visit woodworking workshops where doors, fences, garden structures, shoji, benches, and other wooden elements are still crafted with great precision and attention to detail. There we see how material selection, joining techniques, and proportions come together in an art that has been passed down for generations. This knowledge forms an important source of inspiration for the custom-made designs we design and realize ourselves.


A visit to Japan is also not complete without visiting traditional tool shops. These shops sell Japanese saws, chisels, planes, knives and other hand tools specifically designed for precise woodworking and gardening. Many of these tools are still produced by specialized blacksmiths and small family businesses. For us, they are not just utilitarian items; they are tangible examples of the same philosophy that we see in Japanese gardens: simplicity, functionality, precision and respect for materials.

These trips form an important part of Yokoso Japanese Gardens. They ensure that we remain connected to the origins of the profession and constantly bring new ideas, materials, and techniques to our projects in Europe. In this way, we strive not to create a superficial copy of a Japanese garden, but to design projects that stem from a genuine understanding of the Japanese garden tradition and that at the same time fit into their own environment, architecture, and client.

Our Japanese experiences

Special places and encounters

Curious about what we can do for your garden?

See how we design and create Japanese gardens, or contact us without obligation.