Our type of Japanese garden would probably be a "strolling garden," in which the explorer tours the garden along a preordained path(s). Pleasing garden views are set up to be viewed from the perspective on the path, and they are spaced so as to continually interest the stroller as he passes by. The author I was reading described the experience of enjoying a strolling garden as being the equivalent of listening to music--and when one is not walking, the music is off.
Gardens often utilize natural topography, although manmade hills are acceptable additions. Ponds and streams have curvy, natural shapes instead of appearing artificial and manmade.
One of the many pleasures that might be employed in a garden was the symbolic recreation of beautiful scenery from elsewhere. For example, if we were to try to recreate Relto in a Japanese garden sense, we might put a roughly Relto-shaped rock into the center of a pond, and grow a tiny miniature pine on it, possibly with a little lantern added instead of the hut. Imaginary scenes from poems might also be built.
In contrast to strolling gardens, rock and sand gardens are generally meant to be appreciated from a stationary perspective, usually from within a building.
Here's a good source for some basic information: http://www.mastergardenproducts.com/gardenerscorner/japanese_stroll_garden.htm
