In the late sixth century, Zen Buddhist monks began creating simple gardens as a tranquil space for meditation. These karesansui, translated to dry landscape or dry mountain water in Japanese ...

the elements discussed above should not be a prescription for design, but rather an inspiration and guide. “Please do not put a Japanese shoji screen into your house–that's so 1980,” he says.

The tea house serves tea and Japanese refreshments. The garden has proven a respite for many travelers, who enjoy the beauty of the well-maintained grounds, the sculptures and the gardens.