| Japanese tea gardens are a type of | | | | machiai. The guests wait until they are |
| garden where a tea ceremony can be | | | | greeted by their host. Japanese |
| performed. These gardens consist of an | | | | teahouses are intended to be places |
| outer and inner garden. This is one of | | | | where people can relax, spend time with |
| the more popular gardens to create. The | | | | friends, and enjoy the beauty of the |
| outer garden has an entry gate and a | | | | garden. |
| stone path which leads to the inner | | | | The host will summon the guests to the |
| garden and it is more informal in its | | | | teahouse where they will be served |
| plantings. Guests pass through a second | | | | Japanese tea by the host. The guests |
| gate where there is a water basin which | | | | can then drink tea, reflect upon the |
| is used in the ceremony. There is | | | | seasonal beauty of the garden, and enjoy |
| another stone path that goes through the | | | | the host's artwork and tea accessories. |
| inner garden where the plants are not | | | | Almost all Japanese people have had some |
| flowered in order to prevent any | | | | exposure to the tea ceremony. Many |
| distractions along the journey. This | | | | Japanese women participate in the tea |
| path leads to the small building where | | | | ceremony regularly. Many tea ceremonies |
| the tea ceremony will be performed. | | | | are actually held in Japanese homes as |
| This type of garden is good for | | | | very few people can afford an actual |
| average-sized yards or can be | | | | teahouse. Tea groups sometimes meet in |
| incorporated within a larger Japanese | | | | restaurants and others rent public |
| garden. | | | | teahouses in parks where they can |
| The guests of a tea garden proceed | | | | practice this ceremony. Tea garden |
| slowly along the garden stepping stones | | | | landscaping is often found around homes |
| until they reach a Japanese garden | | | | and restaurants and not just around |
| bench. This bench is known as a | | | | formal teahouses. |