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  • Kongorinji  Garden - These 500-year old gardens have been designated a Place of Scenic Beauty and it’s no wonder. Beautiful in any season.  The Ikezumi strolling garden at Kongorinji known as Myojuin though its creator is unknown, is especially popular during autumn.  This pond-viewing garden is intended to be viewed from the main hall, but these three combined gardens are connected as one, and the feeling of a strolling garden that goes around gardens of different times is now stronger because of it.  The colorful autumn leaves in deep red in late autumn are wonderful, it is the most spectacular garden in the three mountains of Koto.
    kongorinji-garden-1.jpg
  • Kongorinji  Garden - These 500-year old gardens have been designated a Place of Scenic Beauty and it’s no wonder. Beautiful in any season.  The Ikezumi strolling garden at Kongorinji known as Myojuin though its creator is unknown, is especially popular during autumn.  This pond-viewing garden is intended to be viewed from the main hall, but these three combined gardens are connected as one, and the feeling of a strolling garden that goes around gardens of different times is now stronger because of it.  The colorful autumn leaves in deep red in late autumn are wonderful, it is the most spectacular garden in the three mountains of Koto.
    kongorinji-garden-2.jpg
  • Westin Kyoto Garden  - The Aoiden Garden and Kasuien Garden were created by the 7th generation of Ogawa Jihei Ueji and his son - 8th generation  - Ogawa Shirayo a landscape architect representing modern Kyoto.  Kasuien was renovated in 2020 by Hiroshi Nakamura.  Originally, Kasuien is where the villa Kiyoura of the Prime Minister Kiyoura Keigo in the Taisho era was built -  the garden was also created at the time of its construction. This is a pond garden that creates a stream by flowing water while making the best use of the natural bedrock and the unevenness of the rock wall.  Miyako Hotel is also close to Yamagata's villa. After the death of Kiyoura, it was donated to the Miyako Hotel, and the current Sukiya-style annex Kasuien was built by Togo Murano. The dry garden part of the white sand was added by Togo Murano.
    westin-kyoto-garden-4.jpg
  • Water Basin at Nakae Jungoro House Garden - Nakae Jungoro House is one of the public Omi merchant residences in the townscape of Gokashokondo, which has been selected as an important traditional buildings and gardens preservation district of the country. This pond garden has large stepping stones, surrounding a decorative pond.  The village was formed by prosperous Omi merchants from the late Edo period to the Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa eras remains in the center, and the surrounding area is traditional. Along with the shrines and temples and rice fields distributed inside and outside the village, it conveys an historical landscape.
    nakae-jungoro-house-garden-3.jpg
  • Kyoto Prefectural Guest House Garden - This small garden centers around a carp pond with an overlooking teahouse up on a hill in the background. There is a small waterfall that cascades into the pond from an artificial hill in the northeast corner. Natural stepping stones surround the pond, leading up to the teahouse. Both the garden and teahouse were designed and created by landscape architect Masuno Shunmyo.
    kyoto-prefecture-hall-garden-07.jpg
  • Kyoto Prefectural Guest House Garden - This small garden centers around a carp pond with an overlooking teahouse up on a hill in the background. There is a small waterfall that cascades into the pond from an artificial hill in the northeast corner. Natural stepping stones surround the pond, leading up to the teahouse. Both the garden and teahouse were designed and created by landscape architect Masuno Shunmyo.
    kyoto-prefecture-hall-garden-11.jpg
  • Honzenji Temple Garden - Honzen-ji is a large temple and historic site in Togane, Chiba Prefecture.  The temple grounds are adjacent to Lake Hakkaku formerly known as Tani Pond a local park and famous spot for viewing cherry blossoms in April.  Honzenji itself has a well maintained pond garden, and is also known for its cedar grove and plum blossoms which precede the cherry blossoms of the nearby pond.  The temple was built on Shiroyama Hills, built during the Kamakura Period although the exact dates are unknown, now a Rinzai Sect of Buddhism.   Honzenji was the family temple of Sadataka Sakai, of nearby Togane Castle now in ruins.  The temple has a massive cemetery with an exclosure for the burial of pets as well.  Honzenji is a Togane City designated historic site.
    Honzenji-Garden-07.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams.  The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-5.jpg
  • Kyoto Prefectural Guest House Garden - This small garden centers around a carp pond with an overlooking teahouse up on a hill in the background. There is a small waterfall that cascades into the pond from an artificial hill in the northeast corner. Natural stepping stones surround the pond, leading up to the teahouse. Both the garden and teahouse were designed and created by landscape architect Masuno Shunmyo.
    kyoto-prefecture-hall-garden-12.jpg
  • Shokokuji Temple Kaisando Garden - Shokoku-ji occupies a vast area of northern Kyoto with many sub-temples under its dominion. In addition to the main hall Hojo gardens, the Kaisando next door is really the showcase of Shokokuji gardens. The Kaisando front garden is dedicated to Muso Soseki a prominent figure in Japanese Buddhism and forerunner of Japanese garden design. The two tiered Ryubuchimizu-no- Niwa garden has white sand in the foreground and moss at the base of maple trees in back.  The Kaisando garden has been listed as a National Important Property by the Japanese government. 
    Shokokuji-Kaisando-Garden-2.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams. The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-2.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams. The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-6.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams.  The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-10.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams. The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-8.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams. The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-4.jpg
  • Ioji Temple Garden is composed of two main gardens:  The Garden of Dry Mountains and Waters which has been attributed somewhat erroneously to Kobori Enshu, who once visited the temple. Directly south of the main hall is the so-called Water Garden although there is no pond nor waterfall, it may be called that for the undulating shrubs give the impression of water.  Ioji Temple Gardens use the style of landscape gardening of the early Ido period using a very large space - an area of 1,000 square meters from the north garden to the reception hall once used for state ceremonies. Old garden of dry landscape Japanese garden has another view that uses the garden designs of Enshu Kobori.  Although there is no specific record of Enshu actually taking part of the design of the garden, its style conforms to Enshu’s style and he did indeed visit here at one time. The three prominent stones at the top of the hillock are the showcase of the garden and its main focal point. The shrubs surrounding the stones are satsukiin bloom in May. On the south side of the main hall, the design of the “Water Garden" is more gentle with sculpted shrubs, adding stillness and contrast to the adjacent western garden.  There is also a small garden in front of the main hall, covered with moss called “Moss Garden of Tokai".
    Iouji-Temple-Garden-9.jpg
  • Ioji Temple Garden is composed of two main gardens:  The Garden of Dry Mountains and Waters which has been attributed somewhat erroneously to Kobori Enshu, who once visited the temple. Directly south of the main hall is the so-called Water Garden although there is no pond nor waterfall, it may be called that for the undulating shrubs give the impression of water.  Ioji Temple Gardens use the style of landscape gardening of the early Ido period using a very large space - an area of 1,000 square meters from the north garden to the reception hall once used for state ceremonies. Old garden of dry landscape Japanese garden has another view that uses the garden designs of Enshu Kobori.  Although there is no specific record of Enshu actually taking part of the design of the garden, its style conforms to Enshu’s style and he did indeed visit here at one time. The three prominent stones at the top of the hillock are the showcase of the garden and its main focal point. The shrubs surrounding the stones are satsukiin bloom in May. On the south side of the main hall, the design of the “Water Garden" is more gentle with sculpted shrubs, adding stillness and contrast to the adjacent western garden.  There is also a small garden in front of the main hall, covered with moss called “Moss Garden of Tokai".
    Iouji-Temple-Garden-7.jpg
  • Ioji Temple Garden is composed of two main gardens:  The Garden of Dry Mountains and Waters which has been attributed somewhat erroneously to Kobori Enshu, who once visited the temple. Directly south of the main hall is the so-called Water Garden although there is no pond nor waterfall, it may be called that for the undulating shrubs give the impression of water.  Ioji Temple Gardens use the style of landscape gardening of the early Ido period using a very large space - an area of 1,000 square meters from the north garden to the reception hall once used for state ceremonies. Old garden of dry landscape Japanese garden has another view that uses the garden designs of Enshu Kobori.  Although there is no specific record of Enshu actually taking part of the design of the garden, its style conforms to Enshu’s style and he did indeed visit here at one time. The three prominent stones at the top of the hillock are the showcase of the garden and its main focal point. The shrubs surrounding the stones are satsukiin bloom in May. On the south side of the main hall, the design of the “Water Garden" is more gentle with sculpted shrubs, adding stillness and contrast to the adjacent western garden.  There is also a small garden in front of the main hall, covered with moss called “Moss Garden of Tokai".
    Iouji-Temple-Garden-5.jpg
  • Ioji Temple Garden is composed of two main gardens:  The Garden of Dry Mountains and Waters which has been attributed somewhat erroneously to Kobori Enshu, who once visited the temple. Directly south of the main hall is the so-called Water Garden although there is no pond nor waterfall, it may be called that for the undulating shrubs give the impression of water.  Ioji Temple Gardens use the style of landscape gardening of the early Ido period using a very large space - an area of 1,000 square meters from the north garden to the reception hall once used for state ceremonies. Old garden of dry landscape Japanese garden has another view that uses the garden designs of Enshu Kobori.  Although there is no specific record of Enshu actually taking part of the design of the garden, its style conforms to Enshu’s style and he did indeed visit here at one time. The three prominent stones at the top of the hillock are the showcase of the garden and its main focal point. The shrubs surrounding the stones are satsukiin bloom in May. On the south side of the main hall, the design of the “Water Garden" is more gentle with sculpted shrubs, adding stillness and contrast to the adjacent western garden.  There is also a small garden in front of the main hall, covered with moss called “Moss Garden of Tokai".
    Iouji-Temple-Garden-3.jpg
  • Ioji Temple Garden is composed of two main gardens:  The Garden of Dry Mountains and Waters which has been attributed somewhat erroneously to Kobori Enshu, who once visited the temple. Directly south of the main hall is the so-called Water Garden although there is no pond nor waterfall, it may be called that for the undulating shrubs give the impression of water.  Ioji Temple Gardens use the style of landscape gardening of the early Ido period using a very large space - an area of 1,000 square meters from the north garden to the reception hall once used for state ceremonies. Old garden of dry landscape Japanese garden has another view that uses the garden designs of Enshu Kobori.  Although there is no specific record of Enshu actually taking part of the design of the garden, its style conforms to Enshu’s style and he did indeed visit here at one time. The three prominent stones at the top of the hillock are the showcase of the garden and its main focal point. The shrubs surrounding the stones are satsukiin bloom in May. On the south side of the main hall, the design of the “Water Garden" is more gentle with sculpted shrubs, adding stillness and contrast to the adjacent western garden.  There is also a small garden in front of the main hall, covered with moss called “Moss Garden of Tokai".
    Iouji-Temple-Garden-1.jpg
  • Raikyu-ji Temple Garden at Tenchu-zan Ankoku Raikyu-ji - When the governor of the area died he was succeeded to the post by his son Kobori Enshu who is considered to be one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony as well as his fame as a garden designer. Kobori lived at the temple, is said to have built the present zen garden.  It was designed in the "Horai style" to emphasize spiritual peace and harmony in its composition and in the consciousness of the viewer using nearby Mount Atago in the background to form a shakkei "borrowed scenery". The garden is also known as Tsurukame Garden because of the two stone islands in the garden named Crane and Tortoise.  Although it was completed in 1609  the abbots of the temple have maintained the garden in its original form in honour of its designer. This Japanese rock garden called karesansui, which uses no water and instead uses stones and sand to express a natural landscape, has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty. Raikyuji Temple Garden has even been awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
    raikyu-ji-garden-9.jpg
  • Raikyu-ji Temple Garden at Tenchu-zan Ankoku Raikyu-ji - When the governor of the area died he was succeeded to the post by his son Kobori Enshu who is considered to be one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony as well as his fame as a garden designer. Kobori lived at the temple, is said to have built the present zen garden.  It was designed in the "Horai style" to emphasize spiritual peace and harmony in its composition and in the consciousness of the viewer using nearby Mount Atago in the background to form a shakkei "borrowed scenery". The garden is also known as Tsurukame Garden because of the two stone islands in the garden named Crane and Tortoise.  Although it was completed in 1609  the abbots of the temple have maintained the garden in its original form in honour of its designer. This Japanese rock garden called karesansui, which uses no water and instead uses stones and sand to express a natural landscape, has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty. Raikyuji Temple Garden has even been awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
    raikyu-ji-garden-4.jpg
  • Raikyu-ji Temple Garden at Tenchu-zan Ankoku Raikyu-ji - When the governor of the area died he was succeeded to the post by his son Kobori Enshu who is considered to be one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony as well as his fame as a garden designer. Kobori lived at the temple, is said to have built the present zen garden.  It was designed in the "Horai style" to emphasize spiritual peace and harmony in its composition and in the consciousness of the viewer using nearby Mount Atago in the background to form a shakkei "borrowed scenery". The garden is also known as Tsurukame Garden because of the two stone islands in the garden named Crane and Tortoise.  Although it was completed in 1609  the abbots of the temple have maintained the garden in its original form in honour of its designer. This Japanese rock garden called karesansui, which uses no water and instead uses stones and sand to express a natural landscape, has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty. Raikyuji Temple Garden has even been awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
    raikyu-ji-garden-3.jpg
  • Raikyu-ji Temple Garden at Tenchu-zan Ankoku Raikyu-ji - When the governor of the area died he was succeeded to the post by his son Kobori Enshu who is considered to be one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony as well as his fame as a garden designer. Kobori lived at the temple, is said to have built the present zen garden.  It was designed in the "Horai style" to emphasize spiritual peace and harmony in its composition and in the consciousness of the viewer using nearby Mount Atago in the background to form a shakkei "borrowed scenery". The garden is also known as Tsurukame Garden because of the two stone islands in the garden named Crane and Tortoise.  Although it was completed in 1609  the abbots of the temple have maintained the garden in its original form in honour of its designer. This Japanese rock garden called karesansui, which uses no water and instead uses stones and sand to express a natural landscape, has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty. Raikyuji Temple Garden has even been awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
    raikyu-ji-garden-1.jpg
  • Tamazato Garden is officially known as Gardens of Tamazato Residence.  Naroiki Shimadzu built the villa called Tamazato Residence here in 1835 - the original villa was much larger than what is left today, as most of the structure was burnt down during two wars. Today only the gardens, a tea house and the gate remain.The upper garden has an ornamental pond that can be viewed from the residence teahouse room. The lower garden is circuit style allowing people to enjoy the view from any point around the garden. Tamazato Garden was created at the end of the Edo period, when strolling/landscape gardens were in fashion. Altogether, the whole garden is made up of the of the Shoin-Tei Inner Garden and the Kaiyushiki Teien back garden beside the tea ceremony room.  Elements include large stones, bridges and walkways are set around the pond as its center. Altogether there are nine stone lanterns of various shapes and sizes.  Although stone lanterns are almost always present in a Japanese garden, usually there is not this much variety. Tamazato Garden was designated as a national scenic beauty site by the Japanese government in July, 2007.
    tamazato-garden-09.jpg
  • Tamazato Garden is officially known as Gardens of Tamazato Residence.  Naroiki Shimadzu built the villa called Tamazato Residence here in 1835 - the original villa was much larger than what is left today, as most of the structure was burnt down during two wars. Today only the gardens, a tea house and the gate remain.The upper garden has an ornamental pond that can be viewed from the residence teahouse room. The lower garden is circuit style allowing people to enjoy the view from any point around the garden. Tamazato Garden was created at the end of the Edo period, when strolling/landscape gardens were in fashion. Altogether, the whole garden is made up of the of the Shoin-Tei Inner Garden and the Kaiyushiki Teien back garden beside the tea ceremony room.  Elements include large stones, bridges and walkways are set around the pond as its center. Altogether there are nine stone lanterns of various shapes and sizes.  Although stone lanterns are almost always present in a Japanese garden, usually there is not this much variety. Tamazato Garden was designated as a national scenic beauty site by the Japanese government in July, 2007.
    tamazato-garden-08.jpg
  • Tamazato Garden is officially known as Gardens of Tamazato Residence.  Naroiki Shimadzu built the villa called Tamazato Residence here in 1835 - the original villa was much larger than what is left today, as most of the structure was burnt down during two wars. Today only the gardens, a tea house and the gate remain.The upper garden has an ornamental pond that can be viewed from the residence teahouse room. The lower garden is circuit style allowing people to enjoy the view from any point around the garden. Tamazato Garden was created at the end of the Edo period, when strolling/landscape gardens were in fashion. Altogether, the whole garden is made up of the of the Shoin-Tei Inner Garden and the Kaiyushiki Teien back garden beside the tea ceremony room.  Elements include large stones, bridges and walkways are set around the pond as its center. Altogether there are nine stone lanterns of various shapes and sizes.  Although stone lanterns are almost always present in a Japanese garden, usually there is not this much variety. Tamazato Garden was designated as a national scenic beauty site by the Japanese government in July, 2007.
    tamazato-garden-06.jpg
  • Tamazato Garden is officially known as Gardens of Tamazato Residence.  Naroiki Shimadzu built the villa called Tamazato Residence here in 1835 - the original villa was much larger than what is left today, as most of the structure was burnt down during two wars. Today only the gardens, a tea house and the gate remain.The upper garden has an ornamental pond that can be viewed from the residence teahouse room. The lower garden is circuit style allowing people to enjoy the view from any point around the garden. Tamazato Garden was created at the end of the Edo period, when strolling/landscape gardens were in fashion. Altogether, the whole garden is made up of the of the Shoin-Tei Inner Garden and the Kaiyushiki Teien back garden beside the tea ceremony room.  Elements include large stones, bridges and walkways are set around the pond as its center. Altogether there are nine stone lanterns of various shapes and sizes.  Although stone lanterns are almost always present in a Japanese garden, usually there is not this much variety. Tamazato Garden was designated as a national scenic beauty site by the Japanese government in July, 2007.
    tamazato-garden-03.jpg
  • Tamazato Garden is officially known as Gardens of Tamazato Residence.  Naroiki Shimadzu built the villa called Tamazato Residence here in 1835 - the original villa was much larger than what is left today, as most of the structure was burnt down during two wars. Today only the gardens, a tea house and the gate remain.The upper garden has an ornamental pond that can be viewed from the residence teahouse room. The lower garden is circuit style allowing people to enjoy the view from any point around the garden. Tamazato Garden was created at the end of the Edo period, when strolling/landscape gardens were in fashion. Altogether, the whole garden is made up of the of the Shoin-Tei Inner Garden and the Kaiyushiki Teien back garden beside the tea ceremony room.  Elements include large stones, bridges and walkways are set around the pond as its center. Altogether there are nine stone lanterns of various shapes and sizes.  Although stone lanterns are almost always present in a Japanese garden, usually there is not this much variety. Tamazato Garden was designated as a national scenic beauty site by the Japanese government in July, 2007.
    tamazato-garden-02.jpg
  • Korea Pavilion and Garden at Mitsuike Garden - the garden’s style was based on the gardens of provincial royalty in Korea during the Joseon dynasty.  Under the supervision of Min Kyung-hyun the architecture was planned by the Institute of Seoul Architecture and Culture. The garden is made up of five areas: front garden, front courtyard, main garden, back courtyard and the back garden representing  the relationship with nature based on Feng Sui.  Using an original garden techniques.  For most visitors, the greatest draw to Misuiike Park is the fact that it is listed as top 100 sakura cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan with 78 varieties of sakura, and altogether1600 trees.
    mitsuiike-garden-15.jpg
  • The Adachi Museum of Art was based on the private collection of Zenko Adachi.  Adachi collected Japanese paintings, ceramics and scrolls.  Adachi himself was an aficionado of Japanese gardens and collected each pine tree and each stone for the garden himself from around Japan.   In this way he created a beautiful garden filled with his own vision and passion.  Adachi believed that Japanese gardens were "as beautiful as pictures” and even framed one of the gardens in one of the museums rooms as if it is a painting itself. Adachi Museum Garden has been selected as the best garden in Japan year after year since 2003, by the Journal of Japanese Gardens Shisai Project.
    adachi-garden-12.jpg
  • The Adachi Museum of Art was based on the private collection of Zenko Adachi.  Adachi collected Japanese paintings, ceramics and scrolls.  Adachi himself was an aficionado of Japanese gardens and collected each pine tree and each stone for the garden himself from around Japan.   In this way he created a beautiful garden filled with his own vision and passion.  Adachi believed that Japanese gardens were "as beautiful as pictures” and even framed one of the gardens in one of the museums rooms as if it is a painting itself. Adachi Museum Garden has been selected as the best garden in Japan year after year since 2003, by the Journal of Japanese Gardens Shisai Project.
    adachi-garden-07.jpg
  • Couple's Retreat Garden is recognized with other classical Suzhou gardens as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The original garden was built by Lu Jin, prefect of Baoning district, in 1874. It was purchased by Shen Bingcheng, the magistrate of Susong. who rebuilt it in its current form. He also changed the name to the Couple's Garden Retreat. This name refers to the garden's two parts and alludes to a couple:  a cowboy and weaver girl. The garden is divided into an east and west section by the residential core in the middle; an unusual composition for a classical garden. The eccentric design is continued in the form and details of many of the garden buildings especially the Taosim Tower. The West garden is composed of several structures grouped around a small grotto and a Library annex. It is structurally joined to the central residence. East Garden is the main garden of the complex. It consists of a grotto and pond ringed by a covered walkway that connects the structures.
    couples-retreat-garden-6.jpg
  • Couple's Retreat Garden is recognized with other classical Suzhou gardens as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The original garden was built by Lu Jin, prefect of Baoning district, in 1874. It was purchased by Shen Bingcheng, the magistrate of Susong. who rebuilt it in its current form. He also changed the name to the Couple's Garden Retreat. This name refers to the garden's two parts and alludes to a couple:  a cowboy and weaver girl. The garden is divided into an east and west section by the residential core in the middle; an unusual composition for a classical garden. The eccentric design is continued in the form and details of many of the garden buildings especially the Taosim Tower. The West garden is composed of several structures grouped around a small grotto and a Library annex. It is structurally joined to the central residence. East Garden is the main garden of the complex. It consists of a grotto and pond ringed by a covered walkway that connects the structures.
    couples-retreat-garden-2.jpg
  • Couple's Retreat Garden is recognized with other classical Suzhou gardens as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The original garden was built by Lu Jin, prefect of Baoning district, in 1874. It was purchased by Shen Bingcheng, the magistrate of Susong. who rebuilt it in its current form. He also changed the name to the Couple's Garden Retreat. This name refers to the garden's two parts and alludes to a couple:  a cowboy and weaver girl. The garden is divided into an east and west section by the residential core in the middle; an unusual composition for a classical garden. The eccentric design is continued in the form and details of many of the garden buildings especially the Taosim Tower. The West garden is composed of several structures grouped around a small grotto and a Library annex. It is structurally joined to the central residence. East Garden is the main garden of the complex. It consists of a grotto and pond ringed by a covered walkway that connects the structures.
    couples-retreat-garden-4.jpg
  • Couple's Retreat Garden is recognized with other classical Suzhou gardens as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The original garden was built by Lu Jin, prefect of Baoning district, in 1874. It was purchased by Shen Bingcheng, the magistrate of Susong. who rebuilt it in its current form. He also changed the name to the Couple's Garden Retreat. This name refers to the garden's two parts and alludes to a couple:  a cowboy and weaver girl. The garden is divided into an east and west section by the residential core in the middle; an unusual composition for a classical garden. The eccentric design is continued in the form and details of many of the garden buildings especially the Taosim Tower. The West garden is composed of several structures grouped around a small grotto and a Library annex. It is structurally joined to the central residence. East Garden is the main garden of the complex. It consists of a grotto and pond ringed by a covered walkway that connects the structures.
    couples-retreat-garden-5.jpg
  • Westin Kyoto Garden  - The Aoiden Garden and Kasuien Garden were created by the 7th generation of Ogawa Jihei Ueji and his son - 8th generation  - Ogawa Shirayo a landscape architect representing modern Kyoto.  Kasuien was renovated in 2020 by Hiroshi Nakamura.  Originally, Kasuien is where the villa Kiyoura of the Prime Minister Kiyoura Keigo in the Taisho era was built -  the garden was also created at the time of its construction. This is a pond garden that creates a stream by flowing water while making the best use of the natural bedrock and the unevenness of the rock wall.  Miyako Hotel is also close to Yamagata's villa. After the death of Kiyoura, it was donated to the Miyako Hotel, and the current Sukiya-style annex Kasuien was built by Togo Murano. The dry garden part of the white sand was added by Togo Murano.
    westin-kyoto-garden-7.jpg
  • Shokokuji Temple Kaisando Garden - Shokoku-ji occupies a vast area of northern Kyoto with many sub-temples under its dominion. In addition to the main hall Hojo gardens, the Kaisando next door is really the showcase of Shokokuji gardens. The Kaisando front garden is dedicated to Muso Soseki a prominent figure in Japanese Buddhism and forerunner of Japanese garden design. The two tiered Ryubuchimizu-no- Niwa garden has white sand in the foreground and moss at the base of maple trees in back.  The Kaisando garden has been listed as a National Important Property by the Japanese government. 
    Shokokuji-Kaisando-Garden-3.jpg
  • Shokokuji Temple Kaisando Garden - Shokoku-ji occupies a vast area of northern Kyoto with many sub-temples under its dominion. In addition to the main hall Hojo gardens, the Kaisando next door is really the showcase of Shokokuji gardens. The Kaisando front garden is dedicated to Muso Soseki a prominent figure in Japanese Buddhism and forerunner of Japanese garden design. The two tiered Ryubuchimizu-no- Niwa garden has white sand in the foreground and moss at the base of maple trees in back.  The Kaisando garden has been listed as a National Important Property by the Japanese government. 
    Shokokuji-Kaisando-Garden-4.jpg
  • Westin Kyoto Garden  - The Aoiden Garden and Kasuien Garden were created by the 7th generation of Ogawa Jihei Ueji and his son - 8th generation  - Ogawa Shirayo a landscape architect representing modern Kyoto.  Kasuien was renovated in 2020 by Hiroshi Nakamura.  Originally, Kasuien is where the villa Kiyoura of the Prime Minister Kiyoura Keigo in the Taisho era was built -  the garden was also created at the time of its construction. This is a pond garden that creates a stream by flowing water while making the best use of the natural bedrock and the unevenness of the rock wall.  Miyako Hotel is also close to Yamagata's villa. After the death of Kiyoura, it was donated to the Miyako Hotel, and the current Sukiya-style annex Kasuien was built by Togo Murano. The dry garden part of the white sand was added by Togo Murano.
    westin-kyoto-garden-6.jpg
  • Westin Kyoto Garden  - The Aoiden Garden and Kasuien Garden were created by the 7th generation of Ogawa Jihei Ueji and his son - 8th generation  - Ogawa Shirayo a landscape architect representing modern Kyoto.  Kasuien was renovated in 2020 by Hiroshi Nakamura.  Originally, Kasuien is where the villa Kiyoura of the Prime Minister Kiyoura Keigo in the Taisho era was built -  the garden was also created at the time of its construction. This is a pond garden that creates a stream by flowing water while making the best use of the natural bedrock and the unevenness of the rock wall.  Miyako Hotel is also close to Yamagata's villa. After the death of Kiyoura, it was donated to the Miyako Hotel, and the current Sukiya-style annex Kasuien was built by Togo Murano. The dry garden part of the white sand was added by Togo Murano.
    westin-kyoto-garden-2.jpg
  • Westin Kyoto Garden  - The Aoiden Garden and Kasuien Garden were created by the 7th generation of Ogawa Jihei Ueji and his son - 8th generation  - Ogawa Shirayo a landscape architect representing modern Kyoto.  Kasuien was renovated in 2020 by Hiroshi Nakamura.  Originally, Kasuien is where the villa Kiyoura of the Prime Minister Kiyoura Keigo in the Taisho era was built -  the garden was also created at the time of its construction. This is a pond garden that creates a stream by flowing water while making the best use of the natural bedrock and the unevenness of the rock wall.  Miyako Hotel is also close to Yamagata's villa. After the death of Kiyoura, it was donated to the Miyako Hotel, and the current Sukiya-style annex Kasuien was built by Togo Murano. The dry garden part of the white sand was added by Togo Murano.
    westin-kyoto-garden-1.jpg
  • Shokokuji Temple Garden - Shokoku-ji occupies a vast area of northern Kyoto with many sub-temples under its dominion.  The main hall’s gardens  on the southern side, a large austere Omotesando Garden is composed only of white sand karesansui in the karesansui style, that does not prepare the visitor for the fabulous Urakata moss garden on the north side, that makes use of moss and a withered stream that brings depth to the whole and contrasts between dry stones and wet moss. 
    Shokokuji-Temple-Garden-1.jpg
  • Shokokuji Temple Kaisando Garden - Shokoku-ji occupies a vast area of northern Kyoto with many sub-temples under its dominion. In addition to the main hall Hojo gardens, the Kaisando next door is really the showcase of Shokokuji gardens. The Kaisando front garden is dedicated to Muso Soseki a prominent figure in Japanese Buddhism and forerunner of Japanese garden design. The two tiered Ryubuchimizu-no- Niwa garden has white sand in the foreground and moss at the base of maple trees in back.  The Kaisando garden has been listed as a National Important Property by the Japanese government. 
    Shokokuji-Kaisando-Garden-5.jpg
  • Shogunzuka Seiryudan Dainichi-do Garden - one of the very finest in Kyoto, sits on top of Mt Higashiyama and is well known for its viewing deck of the city below. The Seiryuden garden is a strolling garden but with many twists and turns, leading the visitor down mossy pathways, past a Zen dry garden, the distant view of Mt Nishiyama, and a stunning view of Kyoto underneath it all. This vast undertaking, back in the Muromachi period, it is clear that this was a monumental undertaking given the resources of the times. The dry karesansui garden, a masterpiece of its kind, was created by Nakane Kinsaku.
    Shogunzuka-Seiryudan-Garden-09.jpg
  • Shogunzuka Seiryudan Dainichi-do Garden - one of the very finest in Kyoto, sits on top of Mt Higashiyama and is well known for its viewing deck of the city below. The Seiryuden garden is a strolling garden but with many twists and turns, leading the visitor down mossy pathways, past a Zen dry garden, the distant view of Mt Nishiyama, and a stunning view of Kyoto underneath it all. This vast undertaking, back in the Muromachi period, it is clear that this was a monumental undertaking given the resources of the times. The dry karesansui garden, a masterpiece of its kind, was created by Nakane Kinsaku.
    Shogunzuka-Seiryudan-Garden-07.jpg
  • Shogunzuka Seiryudan Dainichi-do Garden - one of the very finest in Kyoto, sits on top of Mt Higashiyama and is well known for its viewing deck of the city below. The Seiryuden garden is a strolling garden but with many twists and turns, leading the visitor down mossy pathways, past a Zen dry garden, the distant view of Mt Nishiyama, and a stunning view of Kyoto underneath it all. This vast undertaking, back in the Muromachi period, it is clear that this was a monumental undertaking given the resources of the times. The dry karesansui garden, a masterpiece of its kind, was created by Nakane Kinsaku.
    Shogunzuka-Seiryudan-Garden-05.jpg
  • Kyocera Museum Garden - the museum and garden were founded in 1933, occupying the large space of a product display facility that the city acquired. The pond garden behind the museum was designed and created by Ogawa Jihei,the 7th generation of this celebrated family of Japanese garden masters. In this Meiji period garden, the pond makes use of Lake Biwa Canal water and uses Higashiyama hills as a backdrop. 
    kyocera-garden-3.jpg
  • Kyocera Museum Garden - the museum and garden were founded in 1933, occupying the large space of a product display facility that the city acquired. The pond garden behind the museum was designed and created by Ogawa Jihei,the 7th generation of this celebrated family of Japanese garden masters. In this Meiji period garden, the pond makes use of Lake Biwa Canal water and uses Higashiyama hills as a backdrop. 
    kyocera-garden-2.jpg
  • Fukuda Art Museum Garden - Based on the basic qualities of Kyoto’s traditional machiya townhouses, the museum building aims for a special derivative Japanese architecture. Even considering contemporary architecture, the exhibition room has the feeling of a warehouse, although the essence of the Kyoto machiya style has been taken into consideration. There is a reflective pond garden running from the building to the river.  It is a very modern garden that reflects Arashiyama as a water mirror. The overall architectural design was created by Yasuda Atelier and designed by Mitani Landscape Studio and constructed by Ueyakato Landscape, a purveyor of gardenIng services in Kyoto. 
    Fukuda-Museum-Garden-3.jpg
  • Kinsaku Nakane Garden - The courtyard of the Elderly Welfare Center Kosai is a dry garden designed by world-famous landscape architect Kinsaku Nakane.  Nakane dedicated his life to landscape architecture after having been impressed by the beauty of the stone garden of Tenryu-ji in Kyoto.  After moving to Kyoto and his research in the preservation and restoration of antique gardens, he designed and created more than 300 landscape architectural projects.  These were conducted both in Japan and overseas. Mastering landscape gardening techniques on his own, he explored new designs based on the beauty of the classic Japanese gardens.  Nakane said that “Creating garden is like painting on three-dimensional space using materials such as stones and trees.”
    nakane-garden-2.jpg
  • Kinsaku Nakane Garden - The courtyard of the Elderly Welfare Center Kosai is a dry garden designed by world-famous landscape architect Kinsaku Nakane.  Nakane dedicated his life to landscape architecture after having been impressed by the beauty of the stone garden of Tenryu-ji in Kyoto.  After moving to Kyoto and his research in the preservation and restoration of antique gardens, he designed and created more than 300 landscape architectural projects.  These were conducted both in Japan and overseas. Mastering landscape gardening techniques on his own, he explored new designs based on the beauty of the classic Japanese gardens.  Nakane said that “Creating garden is like painting on three-dimensional space using materials such as stones and trees.”
    nakane-garden-5.jpg
  • Kinsaku Nakane Garden - The courtyard of the Elderly Welfare Center Kosai is a dry garden designed by world-famous landscape architect Kinsaku Nakane.  Nakane dedicated his life to landscape architecture after having been impressed by the beauty of the stone garden of Tenryu-ji in Kyoto.  After moving to Kyoto and his research in the preservation and restoration of antique gardens, he designed and created more than 300 landscape architectural projects.  These were conducted both in Japan and overseas. Mastering landscape gardening techniques on his own, he explored new designs based on the beauty of the classic Japanese gardens.  Nakane said that “Creating garden is like painting on three-dimensional space using materials such as stones and trees.”
    nakane-garden-1.jpg
  • Arai Library Garden is a garden created by Kinsaku Nakane , a local builder from the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture, in a library in Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture. It is said that there are several gardens in Arai-cho, including the world-famous "Adachi Museum of Art Garden" , which was also created by Kinsaku Nakane, a leading modern landscaping artist who has worked on Japanese gardens overseas. The library's Ikezumi strolling garden is located on the outer circumference of the building, so you anyone can freely visit it.
    arai-library-garden-03.jpg
  • Arai Library Garden is a garden created by Kinsaku Nakane , a local builder from the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture, in a library in Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture. It is said that there are several gardens in Arai-cho, including the world-famous "Adachi Museum of Art Garden" , which was also created by Kinsaku Nakane, a leading modern landscaping artist who has worked on Japanese gardens overseas. The library's Ikezumi strolling garden is located on the outer circumference of the building, so you anyone can freely visit it.
    arai-library-garden-01.jpg
  • At Ryotanji Temple, you can also enjoy two gardens, the South Garden which is an impressive dry zen garden called Fudaraku-no-Niwa made of 48 stones in white sand.  The east pond garden Ikezumi Garden of Mt. Penglai shows a pond with a hillside as backdrop.  Both gardens were created in the early Edo period. A Zen monk dormitory was once attached to Ryotanji Temple with a landscape garden study group. There is also a garden that students created as a practical training. Which is the Shoin North Open Garden.  Note that here is another temple in Shizuoka prefecture with the same name and its own fabulous garden.
    ryotanji-garden.jpg
  • Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden is an oasis of tranquility in Vancouver that was modeled after Ming Dynasty scholars’ gardens in Suzhou and became the first authentic full-scale Chinese garden built outside of China upon its completion in 1986. The garden was built with the  support from the governments of Canada and China - 53 master artisans from Suzhou spent over a year constructing the garden, employing techniques used centuries ago in Suzhou.
    sun-yat-sen-garden-vancouver-04.jpg
  • Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden is an oasis of tranquility in Vancouver that was modeled after Ming Dynasty scholars’ gardens in Suzhou and became the first authentic full-scale Chinese garden built outside of China upon its completion in 1986. The garden was built with the  support from the governments of Canada and China - 53 master artisans from Suzhou spent over a year constructing the garden, employing techniques used centuries ago in Suzhou.
    sun-yat-sen-garden-vancouver-03.jpg
  • Conservatory at Makino Botanical Garden - Makino Botanical Garden was created to honor the achivement of Dr Tomitaro Makino the father of plant taxonomy in Japan.  In addition to its vast gardens, it has also a center for education and research actvities, with particular focus on medicinal plants.  This Botanical Garden displays various wild plants of Kochi Prefecture from the Pacific basin to the Shikoku Mountains.  In the North Garden, Dr. Tomitaro Makino’s beloved cherries and azaleas bloom in Spring, covering the northern slope of the mountain. In Autumn, yellow Patrinia and Japanese clover flower prevail. The South Garden was formerly part of the Chikurinji Temple and was designed to complement existing pathways and temple features. Many other features are located in the South Garden as well, including the greenhouse and wild azaleas.
    makino-botanical-garden-2.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and screams.  The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-3.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams. The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-11.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams. The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-9.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams. The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-7.jpg
  • Ioji Temple Garden is composed of two main gardens:  The Garden of Dry Mountains and Waters which has been attributed somewhat erroneously to Kobori Enshu, who once visited the temple. Directly south of the main hall is the so-called Water Garden although there is no pond nor waterfall, it may be called that for the undulating shrubs give the impression of water.  Ioji Temple Gardens use the style of landscape gardening of the early Ido period using a very large space - an area of 1,000 square meters from the north garden to the reception hall once used for state ceremonies. Old garden of dry landscape Japanese garden has another view that uses the garden designs of Enshu Kobori.  Although there is no specific record of Enshu actually taking part of the design of the garden, its style conforms to Enshu’s style and he did indeed visit here at one time. The three prominent stones at the top of the hillock are the showcase of the garden and its main focal point. The shrubs surrounding the stones are satsukiin bloom in May. On the south side of the main hall, the design of the “Water Garden" is more gentle with sculpted shrubs, adding stillness and contrast to the adjacent western garden.  There is also a small garden in front of the main hall, covered with moss called “Moss Garden of Tokai".
    Iouji-Temple-Garden-4.jpg
  • Raikyu-ji Temple Garden at Tenchu-zan Ankoku Raikyu-ji - When the governor of the area died he was succeeded to the post by his son Kobori Enshu who is considered to be one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony as well as his fame as a garden designer. Kobori lived at the temple, is said to have built the present zen garden.  It was designed in the "Horai style" to emphasize spiritual peace and harmony in its composition and in the consciousness of the viewer using nearby Mount Atago in the background to form a shakkei "borrowed scenery". The garden is also known as Tsurukame Garden because of the two stone islands in the garden named Crane and Tortoise.  Although it was completed in 1609  the abbots of the temple have maintained the garden in its original form in honour of its designer. This Japanese rock garden called karesansui, which uses no water and instead uses stones and sand to express a natural landscape, has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty. Raikyuji Temple Garden has even been awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
    raikyu-ji-garden-10.jpg
  • Raikyu-ji Temple Garden at Tenchu-zan Ankoku Raikyu-ji - When the governor of the area died he was succeeded to the post by his son Kobori Enshu who is considered to be one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony as well as his fame as a garden designer. Kobori lived at the temple, is said to have built the present zen garden.  It was designed in the "Horai style" to emphasize spiritual peace and harmony in its composition and in the consciousness of the viewer using nearby Mount Atago in the background to form a shakkei "borrowed scenery". The garden is also known as Tsurukame Garden because of the two stone islands in the garden named Crane and Tortoise.  Although it was completed in 1609  the abbots of the temple have maintained the garden in its original form in honour of its designer. This Japanese rock garden called karesansui, which uses no water and instead uses stones and sand to express a natural landscape, has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty. Raikyuji Temple Garden has even been awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
    raikyu-ji-garden-6.jpg
  • Raikyu-ji Temple Garden at Tenchu-zan Ankoku Raikyu-ji - When the governor of the area died he was succeeded to the post by his son Kobori Enshu who is considered to be one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony as well as his fame as a garden designer. Kobori lived at the temple, is said to have built the present zen garden.  It was designed in the "Horai style" to emphasize spiritual peace and harmony in its composition and in the consciousness of the viewer using nearby Mount Atago in the background to form a shakkei "borrowed scenery". The garden is also known as Tsurukame Garden because of the two stone islands in the garden named Crane and Tortoise.  Although it was completed in 1609  the abbots of the temple have maintained the garden in its original form in honour of its designer. This Japanese rock garden called karesansui, which uses no water and instead uses stones and sand to express a natural landscape, has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty. Raikyuji Temple Garden has even been awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
    raikyu-ji-garden-5.jpg
  • Raikyu-ji Temple Garden at Tenchu-zan Ankoku Raikyu-ji - When the governor of the area died he was succeeded to the post by his son Kobori Enshu who is considered to be one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony as well as his fame as a garden designer. Kobori lived at the temple, is said to have built the present zen garden.  It was designed in the "Horai style" to emphasize spiritual peace and harmony in its composition and in the consciousness of the viewer using nearby Mount Atago in the background to form a shakkei "borrowed scenery". The garden is also known as Tsurukame Garden because of the two stone islands in the garden named Crane and Tortoise.  Although it was completed in 1609  the abbots of the temple have maintained the garden in its original form in honour of its designer. This Japanese rock garden called karesansui, which uses no water and instead uses stones and sand to express a natural landscape, has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty. Raikyuji Temple Garden has even been awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
    raikyu-ji-garden-2.jpg
  • Kyu Yasuda Garden Arched Bridge - Kyu Yasuda Teien Garden  was once the grounds of a samurai and designed in 1688 by Honjo Inabanokami Munesuke.   The strolling garden was taken over and remodeled in 1894 by Zenjiro Yasuda. The Great Kanto Earthquake and also WWII seriously damaged the garden. It was renovated in 1927 after the earthquake and again in 1971.  It was given to the city of Tokyo according to Yasuda’s dying wishes. Kyu Yasuda Teien has been open to the public ever since as a public park. The pond garden retains the appearance described in literature of the Meiji period and is one of the typical gardens of this period.
    kyu-yasuda-garden-19.jpg
  • Kyu Yasuda Garden Arched Bridge - Kyu Yasuda Teien Garden  was once the grounds of a samurai and designed in 1688 by Honjo Inabanokami Munesuke.   The strolling garden was taken over and remodeled in 1894 by Zenjiro Yasuda. The Great Kanto Earthquake and also WWII seriously damaged the garden. It was renovated in 1927 after the earthquake and again in 1971.  It was given to the city of Tokyo according to Yasuda’s dying wishes. Kyu Yasuda Teien has been open to the public ever since as a public park. The pond garden retains the appearance described in literature of the Meiji period and is one of the typical gardens of this period.
    kyu-yasuda-garden-15.jpg
  • National Diet Garden is found next to the National Assembly building and has both a Japanese style south garden and a Western style North Garden. The south garden was once an Edo period mansion of the Ii family during the Edo period.  The south garden was captured by a Japanese ink drawing “Outside Sakurada” by Hiroshige in his Edo Scenery series.  The north garden is actually Japan’s Geodetic Origin Point, is a western style garden.  The garden is officially known as Kensei Memorial Park.
    national-diet-garden-05.jpg
  • Daichiji Garden - The Horai garden at Daichiji is maintained by Shimizu Toshiharu, a priest who is also a teacher at a local school. The original concept of the garden was also an acoustic one. The smooth, soft sound of the wind blowing through the pines growing on the site since the 17th century was a reminder of the sea and islands depicted in the garden. The temple’s main garden is the Horai Teien made up of a cluster of azaleas set against the hillside.  The shrubs are meant to suggest a treasure ship being tossed among undulating waves of the sea. Modern looking cubes and spheres form the treasure of the ship piled around the stones which represent the seven gods of fortune. The garden was built in the early decades after the Tokugawa government restored peace and stability at the beginning of the 17th century. Kobori Enshu is credited as the original designer of the garden though the temple was in ruins during Enshu's lifetime and it is more likely that his grandson was the designer of this garden.
    daichiji-garden-5.jpg
  • Daichiji Garden - The Horai garden at Daichiji is maintained by Shimizu Toshiharu, a priest who is also a teacher at a local school. The original concept of the garden was also an acoustic one. The smooth, soft sound of the wind blowing through the pines growing on the site since the 17th century was a reminder of the sea and islands depicted in the garden. The temple’s main garden is the Horai Teien made up of a cluster of azaleas set against the hillside.  The shrubs are meant to suggest a treasure ship being tossed among undulating waves of the sea. Modern looking cubes and spheres form the treasure of the ship piled around the stones which represent the seven gods of fortune. The garden was built in the early decades after the Tokugawa government restored peace and stability at the beginning of the 17th century. Kobori Enshu is credited as the original designer of the garden though the temple was in ruins during Enshu's lifetime and it is more likely that his grandson was the designer of this garden.
    daichiji-garden-4.jpg
  • Daichiji Garden - The Horai garden at Daichiji is maintained by Shimizu Toshiharu, a priest who is also a teacher at a local school. The original concept of the garden was also an acoustic one. The smooth, soft sound of the wind blowing through the pines growing on the site since the 17th century was a reminder of the sea and islands depicted in the garden. The temple’s main garden is the Horai Teien made up of a cluster of azaleas set against the hillside.  The shrubs are meant to suggest a treasure ship being tossed among undulating waves of the sea. Modern looking cubes and spheres form the treasure of the ship piled around the stones which represent the seven gods of fortune. The garden was built in the early decades after the Tokugawa government restored peace and stability at the beginning of the 17th century. Kobori Enshu is credited as the original designer of the garden though the temple was in ruins during Enshu's lifetime and it is more likely that his grandson was the designer of this garden.
    daichiji-garden-3.jpg
  • Komyoji Garden Sakura - Komyoji is a popular temple with locals in the Kamakura area for its abundant cherry blossoms in spring, frequent weekend flea markets, and free parking near the beach. Komyoji Garden has a rare example of a dry garden, sometimes called a Zen garden, as this temple is not of the Zen sect of Buddhism.  In addition to the temple's zen dry karesansui garden, on the north side of the temple is the pond garden, which comes to life in spring with sakura cherry trees.
    komyoji-zen-garden-1.jpg
  • Komyoji Garden Sakura - Komyoji is a popular temple with locals in the Kamakura area for its abundant cherry blossoms in spring, frequent weekend flea markets, and free parking near the beach. Komyoji Garden has a rare example of a dry garden, sometimes called a Zen garden, as this temple is not of the Zen sect of Buddhism.  In addition to the temple's zen dry karesansui garden, on the north side of the temple is the pond garden, which comes to life in spring with sakura cherry trees.
    komyoji-pond-garden-5.jpg
  • Komyoji Garden Sakura - Komyoji is a popular temple with locals in the Kamakura area for its abundant cherry blossoms in spring, frequent weekend flea markets, and free parking near the beach. Komyoji Garden has a rare example of a dry garden, sometimes called a Zen garden, as this temple is not of the Zen sect of Buddhism.  In addition to the temple's zen dry karesansui garden, on the north side of the temple is the pond garden, which comes to life in spring with sakura cherry trees.
    komyoji-pond-garden-4.jpg
  • Komyoji Garden Sakura - Komyoji is a popular temple with locals in the Kamakura area for its abundant cherry blossoms in spring, frequent weekend flea markets, and free parking near the beach. Komyoji Garden has a rare example of a dry garden, sometimes called a Zen garden, as this temple is not of the Zen sect of Buddhism.  In addition to the temple's zen dry karesansui garden, on the north side of the temple is the pond garden, which comes to life in spring with sakura cherry trees.
    komyoji-pond-garden-3.jpg
  • Komyoji Garden Sakura - Komyoji is a popular temple with locals in the Kamakura area for its abundant cherry blossoms in spring, frequent weekend flea markets, and free parking near the beach. Komyoji Garden has a rare example of a dry garden, sometimes called a Zen garden, as this temple is not of the Zen sect of Buddhism.  In addition to the temple's zen dry karesansui garden, on the north side of the temple is the pond garden, which comes to life in spring with sakura cherry trees.
    komyoji-pond-garden-1.jpg
  • Seikenji Temple Garden - Seikenji is a Buddhist temple of Rinzai sect in Okitsu Shizuoka. Seikenji’’s origins began as a result of its location along the ancient Tokaiko Road, leading from Kyoto to Edo Tokyo, as this point was a “sekiisho” or checkpoint along the way. It is considered to be a good place to view the moon especially in the past when it had an unobstructed view of overlooking Suruga Bay. There are statues of 500 disciples, worn and weathered with age, leading up the hill as well as a plum tree planted by Tokugawa-Ieyasu. Seikenji garden was built in the 18th Century, and has been designated as a scenic spot of Japan.  Seikenji is believed to have been founded in the 7th century during the Kamakura Period along the historic Tokaido Road. From a passage at the rear of the  temple’s interior, and inner tatami rooms overlooking the garden, which are the best vantage points to view the exquisitely landscaped Zen garden.  When Tokugawa-Ieyasu was a child, he was sent Seikenji as a refuge of the Imagawa Family.
    seikenji-garden-7.jpg
  • Seikenji Temple Garden - Seikenji is a Buddhist temple of Rinzai sect in Okitsu Shizuoka. Seikenji’’s origins began as a result of its location along the ancient Tokaiko Road, leading from Kyoto to Edo Tokyo, as this point was a “sekiisho” or checkpoint along the way. It is considered to be a good place to view the moon especially in the past when it had an unobstructed view of overlooking Suruga Bay. There are statues of 500 disciples, worn and weathered with age, leading up the hill as well as a plum tree planted by Tokugawa-Ieyasu. Seikenji garden was built in the 18th Century, and has been designated as a scenic spot of Japan.  Seikenji is believed to have been founded in the 7th century during the Kamakura Period along the historic Tokaido Road. From a passage at the rear of the  temple’s interior, and inner tatami rooms overlooking the garden, which are the best vantage points to view the exquisitely landscaped Zen garden.  When Tokugawa-Ieyasu was a child, he was sent Seikenji as a refuge of the Imagawa Family.
    seikenji-garden-4.jpg
  • Erinji Temple Garden & Tatami - Erinji temple was built in 1330 with Muso Soseki as its founder. Muso was in his day the foremost designer of Japanese gardens, and went on to design many gardens in Kyoto, some of which are UNESCO world heritage sites such as Saihoji and Tenryuji.   Although the garden was built at the same time, the original entire temple burned down in the sixteenth century.  Some of the present garden had to be restored in the Edo period.  Erinji Garden’s focus is on a pond, with borrowed scenery behind it of a rockery, a favorite style and theme of Muso.  There focal points are from various viewpoints: including from an arched bridge, and the more orthodox view from a tatami room.  The central island in the pond contains an enormous Japanese pine tree, the garden’s most famous and unique element. Erinji is a part of the Myoshin-ji Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism.   The temple  was once the family temple of Takeda Shingen who is buried here.
    erinji-garden-17.jpg
  • Tamazato Garden is officially known as Gardens of Tamazato Residence.  Naroiki Shimadzu built the villa called Tamazato Residence here in 1835 - the original villa was much larger than what is left today, as most of the structure was burnt down during two wars. Today only the gardens, a tea house and the gate remain.The upper garden has an ornamental pond that can be viewed from the residence teahouse room. The lower garden is circuit style allowing people to enjoy the view from any point around the garden. Tamazato Garden was created at the end of the Edo period, when strolling/landscape gardens were in fashion. Altogether, the whole garden is made up of the of the Shoin-Tei Inner Garden and the Kaiyushiki Teien back garden beside the tea ceremony room.  Elements include large stones, bridges and walkways are set around the pond as its center. Altogether there are nine stone lanterns of various shapes and sizes.  Although stone lanterns are almost always present in a Japanese garden, usually there is not this much variety. Tamazato Garden was designated as a national scenic beauty site by the Japanese government in July, 2007.
    tamazato-garden-05.jpg
  • Tamazato Garden is officially known as Gardens of Tamazato Residence.  Naroiki Shimadzu built the villa called Tamazato Residence here in 1835 - the original villa was much larger than what is left today, as most of the structure was burnt down during two wars. Today only the gardens, a tea house and the gate remain.The upper garden has an ornamental pond that can be viewed from the residence teahouse room. The lower garden is circuit style allowing people to enjoy the view from any point around the garden. Tamazato Garden was created at the end of the Edo period, when strolling/landscape gardens were in fashion. Altogether, the whole garden is made up of the of the Shoin-Tei Inner Garden and the Kaiyushiki Teien back garden beside the tea ceremony room.  Elements include large stones, bridges and walkways are set around the pond as its center. Altogether there are nine stone lanterns of various shapes and sizes.  Although stone lanterns are almost always present in a Japanese garden, usually there is not this much variety. Tamazato Garden was designated as a national scenic beauty site by the Japanese government in July, 2007.
    tamazato-garden-04.jpg
  • Tamazato Garden is officially known as Gardens of Tamazato Residence.  Naroiki Shimadzu built the villa called Tamazato Residence here in 1835 - the original villa was much larger than what is left today, as most of the structure was burnt down during two wars. Today only the gardens, a tea house and the gate remain.The upper garden has an ornamental pond that can be viewed from the residence teahouse room. The lower garden is circuit style allowing people to enjoy the view from any point around the garden. Tamazato Garden was created at the end of the Edo period, when strolling/landscape gardens were in fashion. Altogether, the whole garden is made up of the of the Shoin-Tei Inner Garden and the Kaiyushiki Teien back garden beside the tea ceremony room.  Elements include large stones, bridges and walkways are set around the pond as its center. Altogether there are nine stone lanterns of various shapes and sizes.  Although stone lanterns are almost always present in a Japanese garden, usually there is not this much variety. Tamazato Garden was designated as a national scenic beauty site by the Japanese government in July, 2007.
    tamazato-garden-01.jpg
  • Canadian Embassy Garden Tokyo was designed by Shunmyo Masuno, the head priest and landscape architect at a Zen Buddhist temple in Yokohama.  Shunmyo Masumo is the only Buddhist cleric still practicing garden design in the tradition of the traditional stone-setting priests.  Indeed, part of the tradition of a Zen garden is the design, care, maintenance of such a garden as a form of meditation. In the Tokyo Canadian Embassy garden, stones in Japan were chosen to represent the geological character of the bedrock that forms the Canadian Shield and to embody harmony between Canada and Japan. The ruggedness of the Canadian terrain is suggested in the rough edges of the stone.  The vast expanse of land in Canada is also reflected in the design of the garden.
    canadian-embassy-garden-7.jpg
  • Canadian Embassy Garden Tokyo was designed by Shunmyo Masuno, the head priest and landscape architect at a Zen Buddhist temple in Yokohama.  Shunmyo Masumo is the only Buddhist cleric still practicing garden design in the tradition of the traditional stone-setting priests.  Indeed, part of the tradition of a Zen garden is the design, care, maintenance of such a garden as a form of meditation. In the Tokyo Canadian Embassy garden, stones in Japan were chosen to represent the geological character of the bedrock that forms the Canadian Shield and to embody harmony between Canada and Japan. The ruggedness of the Canadian terrain is suggested in the rough edges of the stone.  The vast expanse of land in Canada is also reflected in the design of the garden.
    canadian-embassy-garden-6.jpg
  • Canadian Embassy Garden Tokyo was designed by Shunmyo Masuno, the head priest and landscape architect at a Zen Buddhist temple in Yokohama.  Shunmyo Masumo is the only Buddhist cleric still practicing garden design in the tradition of the traditional stone-setting priests.  Indeed, part of the tradition of a Zen garden is the design, care, maintenance of such a garden as a form of meditation. In the Tokyo Canadian Embassy garden, stones in Japan were chosen to represent the geological character of the bedrock that forms the Canadian Shield and to embody harmony between Canada and Japan. The ruggedness of the Canadian terrain is suggested in the rough edges of the stone.  The vast expanse of land in Canada is also reflected in the design of the garden.
    canadian-embassy-garden-5.jpg
  • Canadian Embassy Garden Tokyo was designed by Shunmyo Masuno, the head priest and landscape architect at a Zen Buddhist temple in Yokohama.  Shunmyo Masumo is the only Buddhist cleric still practicing garden design in the tradition of the traditional stone-setting priests.  Indeed, part of the tradition of a Zen garden is the design, care, maintenance of such a garden as a form of meditation. In the Tokyo Canadian Embassy garden, stones in Japan were chosen to represent the geological character of the bedrock that forms the Canadian Shield and to embody harmony between Canada and Japan. The ruggedness of the Canadian terrain is suggested in the rough edges of the stone.  The vast expanse of land in Canada is also reflected in the design of the garden.
    canadian-embassy-garden-1.jpg
  • Canadian Embassy Garden Tokyo was designed by Shunmyo Masuno, the head priest and landscape architect at a Zen Buddhist temple in Yokohama.  Shunmyo Masumo is the only Buddhist cleric still practicing garden design in the tradition of the traditional stone-setting priests.  Indeed, part of the tradition of a Zen garden is the design, care, maintenance of such a garden as a form of meditation. In the Tokyo Canadian Embassy garden, stones in Japan were chosen to represent the geological character of the bedrock that forms the Canadian Shield and to embody harmony between Canada and Japan. The ruggedness of the Canadian terrain is suggested in the rough edges of the stone.  The vast expanse of land in Canada is also reflected in the design of the garden.
    canadian-embassy-garden-2.jpg
  • Canadian Embassy Garden Tokyo was designed by Shunmyo Masuno, the head priest and landscape architect at a Zen Buddhist temple in Yokohama.  Shunmyo Masumo is the only Buddhist cleric still practicing garden design in the tradition of the traditional stone-setting priests.  Indeed, part of the tradition of a Zen garden is the design, care, maintenance of such a garden as a form of meditation. In the Tokyo Canadian Embassy garden, stones in Japan were chosen to represent the geological character of the bedrock that forms the Canadian Shield and to embody harmony between Canada and Japan. The ruggedness of the Canadian terrain is suggested in the rough edges of the stone.  The vast expanse of land in Canada is also reflected in the design of the garden.
    canadian-embassy-garden-3.jpg
  • Expo Commemoration Japanese Garden was designed in the style of the Showa Period. The garden was a Japanese Government exhibit at Expo 70.  Going along the stream there are four styles of gardens.  The Heian Period Garden, the Kamakura and the Muromachi Period Garden, the Edo Period Garden, and the modern style garden. The main focus of the garden is of the Shinji-ike Pond, in front of the Heian Period garden.  In this way, visitors can see the contrast between the different styles of gardens within their historical periods presented in a modern museum-like way.
    expo-commemoration-garden-7.jpg
  • Expo Commemoration Japanese Garden was designed in the style of the Showa Period. The garden was a Japanese Government exhibit at Expo 70.  Going along the stream there are four styles of gardens.  The Heian Period Garden, the Kamakura and the Muromachi Period Garden, the Edo Period Garden, and the modern style garden. The main focus of the garden is of the Shinji-ike Pond, in front of the Heian Period garden.  In this way, visitors can see the contrast between the different styles of gardens within their historical periods presented in a modern museum-like way.
    expo-commemoration-garden-6.jpg
  • Expo Commemoration Japanese Garden was designed in the style of the Showa Period. The garden was a Japanese Government exhibit at Expo 70.  Going along the stream there are four styles of gardens.  The Heian Period Garden, the Kamakura and the Muromachi Period Garden, the Edo Period Garden, and the modern style garden. The main focus of the garden is of the Shinji-ike Pond, in front of the Heian Period garden.  In this way, visitors can see the contrast between the different styles of gardens within their historical periods presented in a modern museum-like way.
    expo-commemoration-garden-5.jpg
  • Expo Commemoration Japanese Garden was designed in the style of the Showa Period. The garden was a Japanese Government exhibit at Expo 70.  Going along the stream there are four styles of gardens.  The Heian Period Garden, the Kamakura and the Muromachi Period Garden, the Edo Period Garden, and the modern style garden. The main focus of the garden is of the Shinji-ike Pond, in front of the Heian Period garden.  In this way, visitors can see the contrast between the different styles of gardens within their historical periods presented in a modern museum-like way.
    expo-commemoration-garden-1.jpg
  • Expo Commemoration Japanese Garden was designed in the style of the Showa Period. The garden was a Japanese Government exhibit at Expo 70.  Going along the stream there are four styles of gardens.  The Heian Period Garden, the Kamakura and the Muromachi Period Garden, the Edo Period Garden, and the modern style garden. The main focus of the garden is of the Shinji-ike Pond, in front of the Heian Period garden.  In this way, visitors can see the contrast between the different styles of gardens within their historical periods presented in a modern museum-like way.
    expo-commemoration-garden-4.jpg
  • Yoshida Shigeru Garden is a Japanese pond garden in Oiso. It is typical of a pond garden in that there are trails leading around the pond, surrounded by plum and cherry sakura trees. Shigeru Yoshida was the 45th prime minister of Japan, who lived in the adjacent villa.  Yoshida House was built by Shigeru's stepfather in 1884. The Japanese garden was made in 1961. The Japanese pond garden is a part of Oiso Shiroyama Park
    amber-yoshida-garden-1.jpg
  • Ryotanji Zen Garden - Ryotanji garden is from the Nara period, and its temple was founded in 733. The garden was created by Enshu Kobori and is located in the northern section of the temple and designated as a National Site of Scenic Beauty. The Shinji Ike pond garden was designed in the shape of the Chinese character kokoro or heart and the rock formations within the garden display characteristics of a Zen temple. The garden changes its expression during different seasons. The south garden is a more traditional dry zen garden composed of sand and stones.
    ryotanji-garden-10.jpg
  • Ryotanji garden is from the Nara period, and its temple was founded in 733. The garden was created by Enshu Kobori and is located in the northern section of the temple and designated as a National Site of Scenic Beauty. The Shinji Ike pond garden was designed in the shape of the Chinese character kokoro or heart and the rock formations within the garden display characteristics of a Zen temple. The garden changes its expression during different seasons. The south garden is a more traditional dry zen garden composed of sand and stones.
    ryotanji-garden-4.jpg
  • Ryotanji garden is from the Nara period, and its temple was founded in 733. The garden was created by Enshu Kobori and is located in the northern section of the temple and designated as a National Site of Scenic Beauty. The Shinji Ike pond garden was designed in the shape of the Chinese character kokoro or heart and the rock formations within the garden display characteristics of a Zen temple. The garden changes its expression during different seasons. The south garden is a more traditional dry zen garden composed of sand and stones.
    ryotanji-garden-1.jpg
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