A tsuboniwa is a small courtyard garden built within a Japanese home or building. Some are no bigger than a few square metres, yet they can completely change the atmosphere of the space around them.

Traditionally, tsuboniwa brought light, fresh air and a glimpse of nature into densely built towns where larger gardens weren't possible. Rather than looking out onto a garden, the garden became part of the building itself.

A carefully placed stone, a maple tree, moss or a stone lantern might be all that's needed. The garden isn't designed to be walked through. It's there to be seen from different rooms, changing with the light, the weather and the seasons.

The same idea appears throughout Japanese architecture and bathing. Rather than separating people from nature, buildings are designed to live alongside it. Even the smallest courtyard can create a moment of calm, reminding us that we don't always need more space to feel closer to the natural world.

Nature doesn't need much space.

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