Zen garden of the japanese garden of Monaco, Japanese rock garden in Larvotto, Monaco
The Zen garden is a meditation space within the Japanese garden of Monaco, featuring carefully positioned stones, raked gravel patterns, water features, and bamboo fencing throughout the grounds. The layout combines open areas with secluded spots designed for quiet reflection.
This meditation garden was created in 1994 when Prince Rainier III. requested an authentic Japanese space in Monaco. Landscape designer Yasuo Beppu shaped the project, bringing traditional Japanese garden principles to the Monegasque coast.
The garden follows Japanese garden conventions rather than a single named style: raked gravel around set stones, clipped shrubs and a bamboo fence frame the space. It sits beside the tea house, whose timber and the stone lanterns were imported from Japan, so the setting reflects Japanese practice rather than local Mediterranean gardening.
The space is open to visitors during daylight and early evening hours with free admission for everyone. Wear comfortable shoes as some areas may require removing them to fully experience the traditional setting.
Building materials including timber for the tea house and stone lanterns were specially imported directly from Japan to ensure complete authenticity. This makes the garden a rare place where genuine Japanese materials and craftsmanship exist on European soil.
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