Japan's Master Gardens by Stephen Mansfield

Hey - get a few stone lanterns, put a couple of wooden bridges over water and plunk down a few rocks and then you have yourself a Japanese garden.

Wrong — even though this pattern is repeated again and again in the west. 

Japan's Master Gardens: Lessons in Space and Environment is a fantastic look at the wide variety of REAL Japanese gardens in Japan. The stories and many many photos offer more than glimpses of different styles and gardens around the island nation. Taken together they offer an explanation of what makes a Japanese garden --  the ideas and philosophies as well as their histories and evolution.

The images are beautiful and help build understanding. Like me, you’ll find this book will grow your list of must see spots in Japan.