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