About Us
Hey, I’m Markus
I am born and raised in Finland. Despite the distance between Japan and Finland, I have had a lot of influence from the Japanese culture.
I was just a 13-year-old boy when I first set foot in Japan, and I remember feeling an immediate connection to this beautiful country. Everywhere I looked, I saw evidence of a rich and fascinating culture that was steeped in tradition and history.
My father rented a car and as we explored the countryside, I was struck by the breathtaking natural landscapes that surrounded me. From the rolling hills to the serene lakes, there was a sense of harmony and balance that permeated everything. And when I met the people, I was impressed by their kindness, their attention to detail, and their commitment to excellence in everything they did.
Over the years, I never forgot my time in Japan. And as I grew a bit older, I found myself yearning to recreate some of that sense of peace and harmony in my own life. As a hobby I began to study a little bit of Japanese culture and language (I don’t understand it well, but improving slowly), and I eventually made the decision to buy a piece of land in a small Finnish city called Nummela.
With a vision in my mind of a Japanese-styled home surrounded by a beautiful zen garden, I set to work creating my own little piece of Japan in Finland. One of my friends is a carpenter and one is an architect so I fortunately got a lot of help. It’s still a work in progress, but it’s getting there.
And now, as I sit in my home office overlooking the serene beauty of my zen garden (it’s the middle of the winter and everything is covered in deep snow, but it’s peaceful), I can’t help but feel grateful for my parents for taking me to Japan so many years ago. It set me on a path that has brought me so much happiness and fulfillment.
Why Zen Garden World?
I created this website (in 2023) to promote some of the aspects of Japanese culture I enjoy. And decided to start with mini zen gardens, as they are accessible to everyone and are a good gateway to bigger things.
Who knows what you will discover after meditating with mini zen gardens for a couple of years?
Questions?
If you have questions or would like to share some ideas or give feedback, I would be happy to receive them. Just head over to our contact page.
