日本三名園 Nihon Sanmeien

I always found Japanese gardens the most beautiful creations, the amount of work and determination to make it appealing is just amazing. Each gardern has specific audience, some are designed for emperors and nobles which gives the aura of creative pleasure, while garderns of Buddist temples were constructed to be used for reflection and meditation.
The styles includes karensansui or rock gardens, these garderns are considered to be meditation gardens, and fashioned with white sand rather than water; roji, a simple garden with teahouses, where Japanese Tea Ceremony is conducted; kaiyū-shiki-teien, is mainly enjoyed by visitors who follows a path around the garden to view the composed landscape; and tsuba niwa is as all courtyard garden. 
My all time favourites have to be the Three Great Gardens of Japan also know as Nihon Sanmeien. These are Kenroku-en in Kanazawa, Koraku-en in Okayama and Kairaku-en in Mito.

Kenroku-en means 'garden which combines six characteristics'. An ideal garden consists of six aspects which are, spaciousness, subtle design, serenity, scenic views, coolness and venerability. 

Koraku-en means 'garden of pleasure after', is a saying by Confucius. Which explains that a wise 
ruler must attend to his subjects needs first, only then he should consider his own interests. 

Kairaku-en means 'a garden to enjoy together'. Nariaki Tokugawa who designed and finished the 
garden, opened this private garden to the general public, this then later led to the development of public parks.