Britannica
Sources used in this answer
What are the main differences between Japanese hill gardens and flat gardens?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
garden and landscape design
The gardens at the Palace of Versailles, France, designed by André Le Nôtre.
In landscape design, Japanese gardens are primarily classified by their terrain into two main types: tsuki-yama (artificial hills) and hira-niwa (level ground).12
Tsuki-yama (Hill Gardens)
- Composition: These gardens feature hills and ponds, often incorporating streams and waterfalls.12
- Symbolism: The hill garden is frequently associated with Mount Fuji, representing an ideal mountain form.2
- Design: The hills are typically constructed from earth excavated during the creation of the garden's lake basin.1
Hira-niwa (Flat Gardens)
- Composition: These consist of flat ground designed to represent a valley, a moor, or a surface of water—such as a lake or sea—along with its adjacent shores and islands.12
- Design: Because they lack the elevation of hill gardens, they rely on the arrangement of rocks, sand, and plants to suggest a landscape's spirit rather than its physical features.2
While these are distinct categories, a tsuki-yama garden may include sections laid out as hira-niwa. Both styles aim to provide a secluded retreat that fosters reflection and spiritual recreation.1