Shiromikage Tobi-ishi, Granite Step Stones, Small

Stairstones, Tobi-ishi (飛石) in Japanese, are an indispensable element of traditional Japanese gardens. Unlike a garden path, walking on stairstones requires more concentration. This has a positive effect on how people experience and take in the garden. Additionally, stairstones prevent people from walking next to each other, which reduces distraction. In a tea garden, this also ensures that not everyone arrives at the tea house at the same time before the tea ceremony begins.

The stepping stone path was introduced by tea master Sen no Rikyū, a very famous historical figure. The original idea behind the stepping stones was to keep the Zōri, traditional Japanese slippers, clean and dry while walking through the garden.