After stepping away from my previous role at Traveloka, I’ve taken the time to pause, reflect and explore passions that have long inspired me. One of the most enriching experiences during this sabbatical has been completing a Japanese garden training programme in Kyoto. I was fortunate to participate in a once-a-year training session hosted by Ueyakato Landscape, a company with 8 generations of expertise in the Japanese garden tradition. Their portfolio includes maintaining and fostering historical gardens like Murin-An, Tanryu Sanso, and the Nanzen-ji Temple in Kyoto.
For years, I’ve been fascinated by what makes a Japanese garden truly unique. Is it the stone arrangements? The bamboo fences? The tranquil water features? After spending several days with the Ueyakato team, I now understand that Japanese gardens are not just about the elements or the visual aesthetics. What truly defines them is the design philosophy and the meticulous craftsmanship – the way each stone, plant and pathway is thoughtfully placed with intention and meaning.
I’ve been deeply impressed by how the gardeners carry this philosophy through their work and how their craftsmanship embodies wisdom that resonates even with today’s popular concepts. There are lessons of humility and innovation: “The garden is never complete,” they remind us. There are sustainability principles in the careful selection of bamboo for harvest and the sourcing of garden materials. There are even UX principles embedded in the arrangement of stepping stones in a tea garden, designed to guide the visitor’s experience and the way they engage with the space and the view.
Immersing myself in the philosophy, aesthetics and discipline of traditional Japanese gardens has been both grounding and creatively invigorating. It has reminded me of the profound impact thoughtful design can have and how true care in craftsmanship leaves a lasting legacy. One quote, in particular, has stayed with me, one that I feel resonates deeply with both work and personal craft. It comes from Miki Chikuzai, the owner of a 120-year-old bamboo company: “The garden should be a place of reflection for both the gardener and the visitor.”
This time away from the usual rhythm has been incredibly refreshing.
