Review: LEGO 10315 Tranquil Garden

August 3, 2023 | 13

LEGO continues to raise the bar when it comes to the Icons theme, and 10315 Tranquil Garden is a beautiful snapshot of Japanese zen and serenity in a LEGO box.

It’s one of the most aesthetically-pleasing LEGO sets that I’ve built and is a gorgeous homage to Japanese culture and landscaping. It combines everything you love about LEGO Botanicals and Architecture into a form factor that makes for an easy-to-display model that looks great from every angle.

2023 has been an exceedingly strong year for LEGO offerings, but 10315 Tranquil Garden is already one of my favourite sets of the year, and one that you should consider getting if you haven’t already.

10315 Tranquil Garden is now available on LEGO.com, your local LEGO Store and selected toy stores.

I had a blast taking photos of 10315 Tranquil Garden, as I really had to showcase just how beautiful this set is, and I hope you enjoy this journey into a beautiful LEGO Japanese Garden.

Who is this set for? A fan of Japanese culture that’s after an aesthetically pleasing LEGO Zen Garden to display.

10315 Tranquil Garden Set Details

Set number: 10315
Set name: Tranquil Garden
Pieces: 1,363
Retail Price: US$109.99 / AU$179.99 / £94.99 / €104.99 / CAD$139.99
Theme: LEGO Icons
LEGO Designers: Mike Psiaki, Carl Merriam
Release Date: 1 August 2023

Building 10315 Tranquil Garden

For a 1,363-piece set, the build was brisk, enjoyable with a wonderful balance of variety and repetitive sections.

It was over a lot faster than I would’ve liked, which is indicative of a great building experience, and it was simply mesmerizing seeing how the LEGO Tranquil Garden came to life before your very eyes.

There’s plenty of LEGO landscaping, and botanical builds, with plenty of interesting and varied tree builds. From cherry blossoms to bamboo, to tall Japanese pine trees, this set has it all.

Interestingly, repetition is a theme in the build, and there are several sections with repetitive steps, but it never feels excruciating or a chore, rather the opposite as you slip in and out into a state of zen.

It makes sense as mindfulness was one of the guiding themes that influenced the set design, and it’s executed very satisfyingly here.

There’s so much variety and carefully crafted building techniques here that the build itself is praiseworthy and one of the most enjoyable building experiences I’ve had this year.

The Completed Model

The completed model is startingly beautiful and is harmonious blend of traditional Japanese landscaping and Architecture.

It sits in a black “pot” that gives it shared DNA with the LEGO Bonsai Tree, but also makes it look like a tiny open terrarium.

One of the remarkable things about the set is that it gives full 360° views and serves up a different look from every angle you look at it, which further adds to its display value.

To allow you to switch up the look and customise your Tranquil Garden, some of the main trees and decorative ornaments are modular, with these cube-shaped roots and corresponding slots allowing you to place the trees wherever you’d like them to be.

Again, a very thoughtful touch that elevates the Tranquil Garden beyond your stock-standard LEGO display model.

The trees are just so much fun to build, and even better to look at. There’s plenty of “tree-tech” on display here with different techniques employed to give each tree a distinct look.

I especially love the tall Japanese Pine/Cedar tree with the long straight trunk, and clever use of layered upside down fern elements.

It’s one of Japan’s most well-known symbols, but the Cherry/Plum Blossom trees in full bloom are just gorgeous, adding a floral burst of white and pink colours to the build.

If you’ve been lucky to visit Japan during the Cherry Blossom season, you’ll be triggered by fond memories of just how beautiful the blossoms are in Spring, and how they dominate the Gardens and natural spaces that are found throughout the country.

Here’s a shot I took at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Tokyo in 2015.

Another familiar element for those who have visited Japan’s famed gardens, shrines or beautiful landscapes areas are these stone lanterns and stone pagodas. The stone steps plot a path through the gardens, amidst the ground covered in lush green moss.

Here’s some Stone Lanterns I took photos of in Nara, the ancient capital of Japan.

And yes, there’s a frog statue here, located right next to the Tea House, a humble homage to the beloved LEGO amphibian, one of the elements that’s revered by LEGO designers.

I also love this red arched bridge, which is another thing that’s so quintessentially Japanese. Plus it adds a dramatic pop of red to the otherwise subdued hues of the set.

The stream that runs through the Tranquil Gardens, cutting it in half is also a thing of minimalist beauty. Of particular note are the Lotus Flowers in bloom, which make great use of the Minions hairpiece, and of course, plenty of printed Koi tiles.

Crossing over the bridge, we head to the modest Pavilion, constructed in traditional Japanese architecture which make use of Shoji; translucent paper over a lattice frame that lets in plenty of diffused light.

I really love the design of the pavilion, how it’s offset and built at an angle, and also the stilts that emerge from the stream, suspending it over a rocky alcove.

Simple yet brilliant details are aplenty, and I love that there’s a pair of Japanese slippers at the entrance to the Pavilion. It’s customary to take off your footwear before you head indoors in Japan.

You can lift up the Pavilion to reveal yet another quaint detail – a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, where you make matcha, the powdered form of green tea. Complete with a brush, bowls and a teapot.

Displaying 10315 Tranquil Garden with other similarly-themed sets

When I was building the Tranquil Garden, I couldn’t help but notice many similarities with one of my favourite sets of all time, 80107 Spring Lantern Festival, which has a similar aesthetic, with plenty of landscaping, and a Chinese Pavilion as well.

It also reminded me of 41757 Botanical Garden in the way that it seamlessly blends structure and natural beauty.

And if you’re a fan of Japanese culture and history, it pairs really well with the LEGO Architecture Himeji Castle, which was also released in August 2023.

I miss Japan so much, and while I’m yet to make a return visit, these two LEGO sets will have to tide me over for now.

The missing element

10315 Tranquil Garden, like most LEGO sets designed for display doesn’t come with a LEGO minifigure, but there’s one minifigure that was made for this set.

You can really enhance the look of 10315 Tranquil Garden by adding the Kimono Girl minifigure, from LEGO Minifigures Series 4. The Kimono Girl was released way back in 2011, but you can still pick one up on Bricklink, which I highly recommend doing as it just elevates the entire model.

See what I mean?

What I liked:

• A really engaging and mindful build experience
• Aesthetic brilliance from every angle
• Beautiful blend of landscaping and architecture
• One of the most beautiful LEGO sets ever

What I didn’t like: 

• It’s a little expensive

Final Thoughts

10315 Tranquil Garden is a work of art and a masterful showcase of LEGO design that pays homage to Japanese culture, architecture and natural beauty.

Those seeking a considered LEGO display model should look no further as this is undeniably one of the most beautiful and aesthetically-pleasing sets that LEGO have ever produced in this price bracket.

I would’ve given this a perfect score as it just knocks it out of the park in nearly every single category, except price, which I feel like it’s just a smidge too pricey at US$110. It’s not overpriced, but it’s not the cheapest LEGO set, although I do feel that the aesthetic value you get from this set does make up for it slightly.

10315 Tranquil Garden is just such an enjoyable set, with a build that ends too quickly because you can just get lost in it, building trees, working on landscaping and the small Japanese Pavilion. There’s so much variety and isn’t frustrating at all, making this a great set even for beginners.

The final model is just stunning to behold, and it looks amazing from nearly every single angle – something that not every LEGO set can boast of. There’s incredible asymmetry, and delightful use of elements and colours to bring it all together into a model that is a feast for the eyes.

There’s a sense of balance and harmony with 10315 Tranquil Garden, and this is hands down one of the most enjoyable sets of 2023, so I highly recommend this set, as a treat to yourself or as a gift to a loved one.

If you appreciate beautiful, and aesthetically-pleasing LEGO models, 10315 Tranquil Garden is one you should definitely get. And with space to add minifigures, and the ability to switch up the look of the garden by moving the trees around, it all but invites you to tinker and play with it, to truly make it your own.

Build [5] – The build is sensational, with cunningly clever techniques and mindfulness at the fore
Real Value [4] – Not overpriced, but at US$110/AU$180, the price might be an impediment to those on a budget. Wait for a great GWP, or slight discount before you jump on this.
Innovation [4] – Blends all that’s great about LEGO’s Botanical Collection with Dioramas, and Architecture. The tree planting system is also a stroke of genius
Coolness [5] – One of the best LEGO sets of 2023, and an absolute joy if you have a connection with Japan, or its aesthetics
Keepability [5] – Easy to display thanks to its blueprint, and one that you won’t get bored of showing of as it’s a treat for the eyes.

Rating and score: 4/5 ★★★★✰

Thanks so much for reading my review of 10315 Tranquil Garden! It’s now available from LEGO.com, your local LEGO store or selected toy stores.

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