PlantFiles: Japanese Cedar
Cryptomeria japonica

I've had two very different experiences with Japanese Cedars. In Sofia, at 2300 feet AMSL, they grow well in an acidic woodland soil.
At the seaside however, they are one of the worst experiences I've had with any plant. I have planted a specimen there but it just keeps getting browner and browner and hasn't grown an inch. There, the soil is dryish and rainfall is scarce, so this plant is a poor performer.
Otherwise, it is an outstanding tree with much character.

Your listing here seems to refer to the wild ancestor which is indeed a big tree but there are around fifty cultivars mostly dwarf conifers suitable for any garden. Most crytomerias are slow growing and have very tight needle foliage which is very attractive. A number have twisted spiderlike branches like 'Spiralis'. 'Compressa' and 'Vilmoriana' are two spherical/mound formers that will give no trouble. Because of their slow growth its easy to assume they are true dwarfs but a trip to Heligan, Cornwall will reveal 'Elegans' can grow to 40 foot or so given a hundred years.