All about Japanese ponds, these spaces dedicated to relaxation and meditation

Would you like to have a place at home where you could sit, relax and heal yourself a little? All you need, ultimately, is a patio with enough space to build a Japanese pond. As much for decorative purposes as for their relaxing virtues, Japanese gardens have conquered the hearts of the whole world.

If you want to know more about Japanese ponds, this article should interest you. Today we are going to gather the best information for choosing a garden pond and building one.

In the same vein, we will also see the usual recommendations for the maintenance of a Japanese garden worthy of the name. You can even give free rein to your imagination, and achieve the perfect balance of nature in your garden.

Do you like the Zen style? The Japa-Mania.fr site offers many articles on Japanese gardens and Japanese culture.

The characteristic elements of a Japanese basin.

As we know, the Japanese have mastered the art of combining architecture, nature and spirituality. This is why many households in western regions have chosen to take up these ideas, and decorate their homes like a Japanese garden.

To achieve this, they combined pieces and all the decorative materials to be able to give an air of tranquility to their homes. That said, what better way to do it than by taking inspiration from real Japanese gardens?

The choice of location

If you decide to have a Japanese pond, one of the first things to identify is its location . Indeed, even if the surrounding decor is very important, the pool will be the center of attention.

Of course, this does not necessarily mean that the best place is the center of the garden. The main thing is to place it in a place where the pelvis becomes the main protagonist. Do not hesitate to imagine several configurations before you decide, and to consider the plants and decorations that you intend to use.

Pond water and its environment

In Japanese gardens, water is of utmost importance. Indeed, in Japanese culture, water represents purity, tranquility and serenity. This is why the pond and its environment occupy an important place in the layout of a Japanese garden or pond.

⭐ You may be interested: our collection of preformed waterfalls for your pool

As much for originality as to bring an extra touch of life, we will move towards simple but effective ideas. So, integrating a waterfall into your pond is usually on the list.

⭐ It may interest you: we wrote an article to help you analyze your pool

Plants and natural decorations

Often reserved for meditation and relaxation, these spaces benefit from having a waterfall nearby. To give it an even more natural touch, you can make a combination of bushes, stones and sand around the pond. It's also so we can use the stones to do the waterfall.

Generally speaking, we can also include plants in rocky spaces. It will provide attractive visual contrast, and that's exactly what we're looking for. Of course, growing plants around water is also very popular.

⭐ You may be interested: our collection of accessories and plants for ponds and gardens

Fish for the Japanese pond

As we already know, we can include any type of fish in ponds and basins. However, in the case of a Japanese pond, the ideal is to always consider the famous Koi carp.

Very popular in Japanese culture, Koi fish have a unique aesthetic. On the other hand, this fish is very easy to stress: the water in the pond must therefore be calm and constantly monitored.

⭐ You may be interested: our collection of pond fish 🐟🐠

Bridges in Japanese Gardens

Among other characteristics of Japanese gardens: bridges. Surprising and very aesthetic at the same time, these suspended paths are perfect for enhancing the route of visitors. We can also consider stone passages to cross the pond!

At the same time, care will have to be taken when building this bridge or path. The size is very important, so that it is not disproportionate to the pond. The main thing, once again, is not to lose this harmony that we have been looking for from the start.

Lighting and other decorations

Lanterns and stone flower beds are Japanese elements that you cannot fail to include in your pond. On the one hand, they will give it the look we are looking for, while guiding visitors on their way. And on the other hand, it will allow you to stake out your garden in as many areas as you wish.

⭐ You may be interested: our lighting solutions for gardens, swimming pools and ponds

Tea houses in Japanese gardens

On many occasions, people decide to include a house in the center of the pond. Often known as "tea houses" , these small structures can also be placed in more accessible places.

That said, the major drawback of these constructions is their price. Indeed, these tea houses can be quite expensive to build. Now, if you have the budget to do so, don't hesitate to build one. It will bring an incredible touch to your pond.

Types of Fish Used in Japanese Gardens

As we already mentioned earlier, koi fish are almost unavoidable in Japanese ponds. This explains why most of the fish used are of this type. Now, that doesn't preclude including other species of fish.

Among other types, here is a non-exhaustive list of fish generally present in ponds:

• Koi fish
• chub
• The goldfish
• Barbel

If you decide to go with different fish, you must try to check that they are compatible with Koi carp. Indeed, they must be able to live in harmony, and have similar needs. This will allow you to satisfy them all, and in the same way.

⭐ You may be interested: our collection of pond fish 🐟🐠

Chub, goldfish and barbel are also widely used in this type of pond. They are all fairly calm fish, which makes them perfect for inclusion in this list.

The cleanliness of the Japanese basin: an essential condition

Like any other pond, Japanese ponds must be clean. This not only for their fish, but also so that they can fulfill their decorative function.

Avoid Algae in Your Japanese Garden

You can keep your Japanese pond clean in several ways, but the most recommended is the manual method. To do this, you need to examine your pond from time to time and make sure it is free of algae. To remove them, you can use a stick or rake to make sure they are gone.

Clean the leaves on the surface of the basin

It is recommended to remove leaves and debris that fall into the pond, for this you can use a pond separator. You can get these separators easily at places that sell household items, as this type of separator is also widely used in swimming pools.

Keep the bottom of the pool clean

Make sure that the bottom of the pond is also clean. This is of utmost importance as fish need a dirt-free space to live.

Note: Artificial cleaners are not recommended for this type of pond. In this case, the more natural things you use for pond construction and maintenance, the better.

Japanese gardens in a nutshell

We hope this information has helped you, especially if you are planning to have a small space for relaxation and meditation. At the same time, if you are looking to give an air of tranquility to your home, Japanese ponds are your best option. If you are looking for more articles on Japan, don't forget to look on the Japa-Mania.fr website !

You can build them not only for meditation purposes but also for ornamental purposes. And then, as you can notice, they are quite structured and eye-catching.

Let us know what you think of all this information, and feel free to share it with others! In this way, like you, they will be able to launch their own project!