Rachel and Jun’s Japanese Garden Journey

Creating a garden takes time, requiring patience, care, and an appreciation for nature’s changing rhythms. In their latest video, Rachel and Jun share six months of progress in their Japanese yard, documenting how it has gradually transformed with new trees, colorful plants, and seasonal growth. Along the way, they also encounter the small wildlife that calls their garden home, offering a delightful glimpse into the beauty of everyday life in Japan.

Rachel and Jun’s Japanese  Garden Continues to Grow

The video begins with Rachel and Jun preparing their yard for a new ume tree. They already have two ume trees, one with pink flowers and another with white flowers, and decide to add a yellow variety between them. To make room, they move an existing hydrangea and bring in new soil to create a healthier environment for the tree. Their garden is filled with a variety of Japanese plants, including hydrangeas, tsutsuji, momiji, acacia, and ground cover plants. They carefully choose plants that can add color throughout the year, including varieties that remain attractive even during winter when many other trees lose their leaves.

As Rachel and Jun continue working in their garden, they also discover several unexpected visitors. Rachel and Jun come across small lizards and kanahebi, a type of Japanese grass lizard, hiding among the plants and rocks. Instead of simply continuing with their gardening, they take the time to move the animals to safer areas. These small moments show how closely their garden has become connected to the natural environment around them.

Rachel and Jun Experience Japan’s Changing Seasons

One of the most enjoyable parts of the video is watching how the garden changes over time. After several weeks, new leaves begin to appear, ground cover plants spread across the soil, and the trees become fuller. Their momiji, or Japanese maple, develops beautiful new leaves, while the acacia grows taller and the hydrangeas begin to flourish. Even the plants that struggled after being moved eventually begin to recover and produce new growth.

As Rachel and Jun’s garden continues to grow, it also attracts more small wildlife. They spot tree frogs among the plants and continue to discover kanahebi throughout the yard. Their garden is not perfectly arranged or completely controlled. Instead, it continues to develop naturally as plants grow and wildlife finds its own place within the space. This gradual transformation reflects one of the most recognizable aspects of Japanese appreciation for nature: noticing how the environment changes with each season. From spring flowers and fresh green leaves to the changing colors of autumn, seasonal transitions are an important part of everyday life in Japan.

Rachel and Jun Enjoy a Sakuraco Tea Break

In the middle of Rachel and Jun’s gardening project, they take a break to enjoy a selection of snacks from Sakuraco. Sakuraco is a monthly Japanese snack subscription box featuring traditional and artisan treats from different regions of Japan. Each box includes 20 snacks, Japanese tea, and a special piece of Japanese tableware. The box also comes with a cultural booklet that introduces the stories, ingredients, and traditions behind the featured items. For this month’s box, Sakuraco highlights Tea Time in Yokohama. The collection celebrates the flavors and confectionery traditions of Yokohama while showcasing local snacks and teas from Kanagawa.

Rachel and Jun enjoy several treats during their break, including an orange cake and almond-based cookies inspired by Italian amaretti. They also share a selection of snacks that can be enjoyed with others, making the tea break a relaxing pause in the middle of their gardening work.  The box also includes a special Sakura side plate from Gifu. With its soft yellow color, the plate becomes a charming addition to their snack break and adds a traditional Japanese touch to the experience. For this special collection, Sakuraco partnered with the Kanagawa government and local businesses to create a Yokohama-inspired box that celebrates the region’s traditional confectionery and tea culture.

From a Backyard Project to a Living Part of Everyday Life

After six months, Rachel and Jun’s garden has changed significantly. Plants that were once small have grown taller, new leaves have appeared, and ground cover has spread throughout the yard. Their lime tree is beginning to produce fruit, while other plants continue to develop new growth. The garden is still a work in progress. Some plants will eventually be moved, new areas will be created, and Rachel and Jun are considering adding bricks to make certain parts of the yard easier to walk through. However, that is part of what makes the project so enjoyable.

Rather than trying to create a perfect garden immediately, they allow the space to develop over time. Some plants grow in unexpected places, native plants appear naturally, and small animals make the garden their home. Through their video, Rachel and Jun offer a glimpse into the simple pleasures of creating a garden in Japan. Their six-month journey shows that appreciating Japanese nature does not always require visiting a famous garden or traveling to a popular destination. Sometimes, it can begin right at home by watching a tree grow, noticing the arrival of a frog, or enjoying a cup of tea during a break from gardening.

Experience Japanese Flavors at Home with Sakuraco

Rachel and Jun’s garden journey highlights the beauty of taking time to appreciate nature, seasonal changes, and everyday moments. Their tea break with Sakuraco adds another way to experience Japan’s regional traditions through carefully selected snacks, tea, and stories. If you would like to discover more of Japan’s traditional flavors, Sakuraco delivers a monthly selection of artisan snacks and Japanese tea directly to your home. Each box introduces a different theme and region, allowing you to explore the flavors and traditions of Japan one box at a time.

Use code RACHELJUN to get $5 off your first Sakuraco box and enjoy a taste of Japan from home here.