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  • Jisso-in Tsukabaim kakei, water basin, tsukubai, japanese basin, chozubachi, chozuya, temizuya, tsukubai, Japanese Water Basin, Tranquility;  Simplicity; serene, serenity, exterior space, nature, pattern, scenic, visual effect, no people, scenery, tranquil, tranquility, calm, historic sites, natural light, natural beauty, spirituality, simplicity, natural, landscapes, inspiration, inspiring, calming, calms, contemplative, meditative, mellow, peaceful, pleasant, beautiful, calmness,  idyllic, ideal, peacefulness, serenity, serene, nobody,
    tsukabai-60.jpg
  • Northern Garden, Tofukuji Temple.  Square cut stones and moss are distributed in a chequered pattern. Though modern in its style and composition, this is one of the most unique gardens in Japan.  Renowned landscape architect and garden designer Shigemori Mirei designed this garden in an ichimatsu inspired pattern.
    tofukuji-north-2.jpg
  • Northern Garden, Tofukuji Hojo Temple.  Square cut stones and moss are distributed in a chequered pattern. Though modern in its style and composition, this is one of the most unique gardens in Japan.  Renowned landscape architect and garden designer Shigemori Mirei designed this garden in an ichimatsu inspired checked pattern.
    tofukuji-north-04.jpg
  • Zuiho-in Garden of the Cross is raked into patterns to suggest a cross.  The founder of the temple, Otomo became a Christian before it was outlawed in Japan, and was renamed Francisco.  However, for hundreds of years the Christian background of this garden was hidden.  The Garden of the Cross is called this for the pattern that the stones make on the sand. The original idea of a cross was inspired the hidden beliefs of Otomo.
    zuiho-in-12.jpg
  • Chishakuin Temple is the headquarters of the Chisan School of Shingon Buddhism.  Its garden was inspired by the area around Mt Lushan in China ("Rozen" in Japanese) and its beauty changes with the seasons. The temple itself is has several National Treasures of Japan, wall paintings and decorative screen paintings.
    chishakuin-1.jpg
  • Chishakuin Garden, the creation of tea master Sen-no-Rikyu is well known for its sense of optical expansion, here the illusion of space is created by the manipulation of scale and perspective providing an exercise in graduated topiary, with a broad expanse of shrubs.  Chishaku-in is an example of the synthesis of architecture and landscape, a feature of many Japanese gardens that is usually only noticed unconsciously.  The main garden of Chishakuin was inspired by the area around Mt. Rozan, China.  Chishakuin Temple is the headquarters of the Chisan School of Shingon Buddhism. The temple itself is has several National Treasures of Japan, wall paintings and decorative screen paintings.
    fusuma-chishakuin-1.jpg
  • Northern Garden, Tofukuji Hojo Temple.  Square cut stones and moss are distributed in a chequered pattern. Though modern in its style and composition, this is one of the most unique gardens in Japan.  Renowned landscape architect and garden designer Shigemori Mirei designed this garden in an ichimatsu inspired checked pattern.
    tofukuji-north-06.jpg
  • Chishakuin Garden, the creation of tea master Sen-no-Rikyu is well known for its sense of optical expansion, here the illusion of space is created by the manipulation of scale and perspective providing an exercise in graduated topiary, with a broad expanse of shrubs.  Chishaku-in is an example of the synthesis of architecture and landscape, a feature of many Japanese gardens that is usually only noticed unconsciously.  The main garden of Chishakuin was inspired by the area around Mt. Rozan, China.  Chishakuin Temple is the headquarters of the Chisan School of Shingon Buddhism. The temple itself is has several National Treasures of Japan, wall paintings and decorative screen paintings.
    chishakuin-tsukubai-2.jpg
  • Chishakuin Garden, the creation of tea master Sen-no-Rikyu is well known for its sense of optical expansion, here the illusion of space is created by the manipulation of scale and perspective providing an exercise in graduated topiary, with a broad expanse of shrubs.  Chishaku-in is an example of the synthesis of architecture and landscape, a feature of many Japanese gardens that is usually only noticed unconsciously.  The main garden of Chishakuin was inspired by the area around Mt. Rozan, China.  Chishakuin Temple is the headquarters of the Chisan School of Shingon Buddhism. The temple itself is has several National Treasures of Japan, wall paintings and decorative screen paintings.
    chishakuin-tsukubai-4.jpg
  • Chishakuin Garden, the creation of tea master Sen-no-Rikyu is well known for its sense of optical expansion, here the illusion of space is created by the manipulation of scale and perspective providing an exercise in graduated topiary, with a broad expanse of shrubs.  Chishaku-in is an example of the synthesis of architecture and landscape, a feature of many Japanese gardens that is usually only noticed unconsciously.  The main garden of Chishakuin was inspired by the area around Mt. Rozan, China.  Chishakuin Temple is the headquarters of the Chisan School of Shingon Buddhism. The temple itself is has several National Treasures of Japan, wall paintings and decorative screen paintings.
    chishakuin-tsukubai-3.jpg
  • Northern Garden, Tofukuji Temple.  Square cut stones and moss are distributed in a chequered pattern. Though modern in its style and composition, this is one of the most unique gardens in Japan.  Renowned landscape architect and garden designer Shigemori Mirei designed this garden in an ichimatsu inspired pattern.
    tofukuji-north-1.jpg
  • Chishakuin Garden, the creation of tea master Sen-no-Rikyu is well known for its sense of optical expansion, here the illusion of space is created by the manipulation of scale and perspective providing an exercise in graduated topiary, with a broad expanse of shrubs.  Chishaku-in is an example of the synthesis of architecture and landscape, a feature of many Japanese gardens that is usually only noticed unconsciously.  The main garden of Chishakuin was inspired by the area around Mt. Rozan, China.  Chishakuin Temple is the headquarters of the Chisan School of Shingon Buddhism. The temple itself is has several National Treasures of Japan, wall paintings and decorative screen paintings.
    chishakuin-tsukubai-1.jpg
  • Chishakuin Garden, the creation of tea master Sen-no-Rikyu is well known for its sense of optical expansion, here the illusion of space is created by the manipulation of scale and perspective providing an exercise in graduated topiary, with a broad expanse of shrubs.  Chishaku-in is an example of the synthesis of architecture and landscape, a feature of many Japanese gardens that is usually only noticed unconsciously.  The main garden of Chishakuin was inspired by the area around Mt. Rozan, China.  Chishakuin Temple is the headquarters of the Chisan School of Shingon Buddhism. The temple itself is has several National Treasures of Japan, wall paintings and decorative screen paintings.
    chishakuin-tsukubai-5.jpg
  • Chishakuin Garden, the creation of tea master Sen-no-Rikyu is well known for its sense of optical expansion, here the illusion of space is created by the manipulation of scale and perspective providing an exercise in graduated topiary, with a broad expanse of shrubs.  Chishaku-in is an example of the synthesis of architecture and landscape, a feature of many Japanese gardens that is usually only noticed unconsciously.  The main garden of Chishakuin was inspired by the area around Mt. Rozan, China.  Chishakuin Temple is the headquarters of the Chisan School of Shingon Buddhism. The temple itself is has several National Treasures of Japan, wall paintings and decorative screen paintings.
    chishakuin-tsukubai-6.jpg
  • Northern Garden, Tofukuji Hojo Temple.  Square cut stones and moss are distributed in a chequered pattern. Though modern in its style and composition, this is one of the most unique gardens in Japan.  Renowned landscape architect and garden designer Shigemori Mirei designed this garden in an ichimatsu inspired checked pattern.
    tofukuji-north-05.jpg
  • Chishakuin Garden, the creation of tea master Sen-no-Rikyu is well known for its sense of optical expansion, here the illusion of space is created by the manipulation of scale and perspective providing an exercise in graduated topiary, with a broad expanse of shrubs.  Chishaku-in is an example of the synthesis of architecture and landscape, a feature of many Japanese gardens that is usually only noticed unconsciously.  The main garden of Chishakuin was inspired by the area around Mt. Rozan, China.  Chishakuin Temple is the headquarters of the Chisan School of Shingon Buddhism. The temple itself is has several National Treasures of Japan, wall paintings and decorative screen paintings.
    fusuma-chishakuin-2.jpg
  • Chishakuin Garden, the creation of tea master Sen-no-Rikyu is well known for its sense of optical expansion, here the illusion of space is created by the manipulation of scale and perspective providing an exercise in graduated topiary, with a broad expanse of shrubs.  Chishaku-in is an example of the synthesis of architecture and landscape, a feature of many Japanese gardens that is usually only noticed unconsciously.  The main garden of Chishakuin was inspired by the area around Mt. Rozan, China.  Chishakuin Temple is the headquarters of the Chisan School of Shingon Buddhism. The temple itself is has several National Treasures of Japan, wall paintings and decorative screen paintings.
    fusuma-chishakuin-3.jpg
  • The Exploratorium created the hands on movement among museums.  There are about a thousand museums in the world that trace themselves to the Exploratorium in terms of exhibits or programs. This innovative museum of science, art, human perception and technology provides for even those with the most limited scientific knowledge and gives them back the joy of discovery. It is an experience that inspires young and old to understand science and nature.<br />
The Exploratorium in San Francisco is a public educational institution for peoples of all ages. Its audience numbers over 20 million each year, as its exhibits travel to science centers and other locations worldwide. At least 90 percent of the nation’s other science museums have borrowed ideas from Exploratorium exhibits or programs.
    exploratorium-1.jpg
  • The Exploratorium created the hands on movement among museums.  There are about a thousand museums in the world that trace themselves to the Exploratorium in terms of exhibits or programs. This innovative museum of science, art, human perception and technology provides for even those with the most limited scientific knowledge and gives them back the joy of discovery. It is an experience that inspires young and old to understand science and nature.<br />
The Exploratorium in San Francisco is a public educational institution for peoples of all ages. Its audience numbers over 20 million each year, as its exhibits travel to science centers and other locations worldwide. At least 90 percent of the nation’s other science museums have borrowed ideas from Exploratorium exhibits or programs.
    exploratorium-4.jpg
  • The Hakone Open Air Museum creates a harmonic balance of the nature of Hakone National Park with art in the form of scultpures and other artwork, usually replicas, using the nature of Hakone National Park as a frame or background. The park encourages children to play and includes many light-hearted sculptures to entertain as well as inspire visitors.
    hakone-open-air-museum-10.jpg
  • Ritsurin is a landscape garden in Takamatsu  built by the local feudal lords during the Edo Period. Considered one of the finest gardens in Japan.  Ritsurin features many ponds, hills and pavilions set in front of wooded Mt. Shiun which serves as a background and example of borrowed scenery and Japanese gardening design.
    ritsurin-garden-07.jpg
  • Engetsukyo Bridge at Ritsurin - a landscape garden in Takamatsu  built by the local feudal lords during the Edo Period. Considered one of the finest gardens in Japan,  Ritsurin features many ponds, hills and pavilions set in front of wooded Mt. Shiun which serves as a background and example of borrowed scenery and Japanese gardening design.
    ritsurin-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-14.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-03.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-01.jpg
  • Engetsukyo Bridge, or "full moon bridge" built in the Chinese style at Koishikawa Korakuen Garden in Tokyo.  It has this name because a full moon is formed by the arch of the bridge and its reflection in the pond beneath.
    koishikawa-korakuen-24.jpg
  • Koishikawa Korakuen Garden is one of Tokyo's oldest and most beautiful Japanese landscape gardens. It was built by close relatives of the Tokugawa Shogun in the early Edo Period..Like most traditional Japanese gardens, Koishikawa Korakuen attempts to reproduce famous landscapes from China and Japan in miniature, using a pond, stones, plants and a man made hill.
    koishikawa-korakuen-23.jpg
  • Ninomaru garden was designed by the famous landscape architect and tea master, Kobori Enshu. It is located between the two main rings of fortifications, next to the palace of the same name. The garden has a large pond with three islands and features numerous carefully placed stones and topiary pine trees.  Nijo Castle and its garden are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
    ninomaru-7.jpg
  • Ritsurin is a landscape garden in Takamatsu  built by the local feudal lords during the Edo Period. Considered one of the finest gardens in Japan,  Ritsurin features many ponds, hills and pavilions set in front of wooded Mt. Shiun which serves as a background and example of borrowed scenery and Japanese gardening design.
    ritsurin-garden-06.jpg
  • Ritsurin is a landscape garden in Takamatsu  built by the local feudal lords during the Edo Period. Considered one of the finest gardens in Japan,  Ritsurin features many ponds, hills and pavilions set in front of wooded Mt. Shiun which serves as a background and example of borrowed scenery and Japanese gardening design.
    ritsurin-garden-10.jpg
  • Engetsukyo Bridge at Ritsurin - a landscape garden in Takamatsu  built by the local feudal lords during the Edo Period. Considered one of the finest gardens in Japan,  Ritsurin features many ponds, hills and pavilions set in front of wooded Mt. Shiun which serves as a background and example of borrowed scenery and Japanese gardening design.
    ritsurin-garden-12.jpg
  • Engetsukyo Bridge at Ritsurin - a landscape garden in Takamatsu built by the local feudal lord during the Edo Period and considered one of the most esquisite gardens in Japan,  Ritsurin features ponds, hills and pavilions set in the woods which acts as background and a textbook example of borrowed scenery.
    ritsurin-garden-16.jpg
  • Ritsurin is a landscape garden in Takamatsu  built by the local feudal lords during the Edo Period. Considered one of the finest gardens in Japan,  Ritsurin features many ponds, hills and pavilions set in front of wooded Mt. Shiun which serves as a background and example of borrowed scenery and Japanese gardening design.
    ritsurin-garden-21.jpg
  • Japanese Tea House at the Japanese Tea Garden at Golden Gate park was originally part of the Pan Pacific Exposition.  One of the craftsmen of the Japanese village, Makoto Hagiwara, helped design the Japanese village, and later he became responsible for the majority of the Japanese Tea Garden.  Hagiwara and his family became residents of one of the buildings in the garden, living within Golden Gate Park at the time.
    golden-gate-tea-9.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-08.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-04.jpg
  • Water is considered purifying in Japan, hence the emphasis on cleanliness in everyday life. Water fountains such as these, known as tsukubai, are also beneficial to hear the trickling of falling water to soothe the nerves as well. A tsukubai is a small basin provided at Japanese Buddhist temples for visitors to purify themselves by the ritual washing of hands and rinsing of the mouth. This type of ritual cleansing is also the custom for guests attending a tea ceremony. Tsukubai are usually of stone, and are often provided with a small scoop, laid across the top, ready for use.
    tsukubai-gangyoji-1.jpg
  • The Issa Soju Memorial Hall in Nagareyama commemorates Issa Kobayashi, a renowned Japanese haiku poet in the 18th and 19th centuries and Soju Akimoto, a brewer of mirin. Issa Kobayashi visited Nagareyama often to see Sanzaemon Akimoto whose pen name was Soju. The home of Akimoto family showcases the Sojutei outer garden, Issa-an dry garden. Sojutei was originally built as the library and study of the Akimotos in the style of a tea-ceremony house. It has been restored, and consists of Okunoma, Nakanoma and Ochanoma with verandas  facing east, west and south overlooking the dry garden.  Issa-an consists of an eight tatami-mat room and is used for tea ceremonies and gathering of haiku poets.  The Issa-Soju Memorial Hall opened in 1995 to commemorate <br />
the friendship and correspondence between Soju Akimoto and Issa Kobayashi.
    issa-sojo-1.jpg
  • Shinjuku Gyoen was designed and built on the estate of Lord Naito, a feudal lord of the Edo period. Shinjuku Gyoen was originally an imperial garden,but then donated to the public and designated a national garden after WWII. One of Tokyo's largest parks, it covers over 144 acres. Besides the Japanese Traditional Garden, Shinjuku Gyoen also has a French Formal Garden and an English Garden. Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the most important gardens of the Meiji era.
    shinjuku-gyoen-garden-9.jpg
  • Shinjuku Gyoen was designed and built on the estate of Lord Naito, a feudal lord of the Edo period. Shinjuku Gyoen was originally an imperial garden,but then donated to the public and designated a national garden after WWII. One of Tokyo's largest parks, it covers over 144 acres. Besides the Japanese Traditional Garden, Shinjuku Gyoen also has a French Formal Garden and an English Garden. Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the most important gardens of the Meiji era.
    shinjuku-gyoen-garden-6.jpg
  • Rikugien Garden - the name of this garden means the six traditional elements essential to great poetry. A wonderful, romantic sentiment in itself for a garden stroll but especially apt because the concept has been followed through to the design and layout of this garden which depicts 88 scenes from a classic Japanese poem. It does so by use of the pond, stone islands, teahouses and bridges
    rikugien-yamakage-bridge-3.jpg
  • Jizo-in, also known as the Bamboo Temple, thanks to its bamboo forest, was built in 1367 by the Hosakawa family. The temple flourished for five generations before the Onin war destroyed most of the buildings like so many others in Kyoto.  Its simple and quiet garden, not to mention the bamboo forest can be beautiful if the light is right. The temple’s name with the word Jizo in it refers to the small stone statues known to be guardians of women, children and travelers which, can often be found along roads as well as in many temples in Japan.  
    jizo-in-kyoto-8.jpg
  • Myomanji temple grounds are made up of islands of raked gravel surrounding a stupa tower,  which is a copy of the Bodh Gaya in India where Buddha gained Enlightenment.
    myomanji-21.jpg
  • Myomanji temple grounds are made up of islands of raked gravel surrounding a stupa tower,  which is a copy of the Bodh Gaya in India where Buddha gained Enlightenment.
    myomanji-10.jpg
  • Taima-dera was established when the Imperial Prince Maroko, the brother of Prince Shotoku, who worked on spreading Buddhism, built the temple in 612. It was originally in the Kawachi region (part of the present Osaka). Because it was moved to the present location in 681 by Taima no Kunimi, a powerful figure of the time, it came to be known as Taima-dera. Its object of worship is a mandala, which is a painting that depicts the teachings of the Buddha. It is called Tsuzureori Taima Mandara-zu, and depicts such Buddha images as Amitabha, Kannon (the goddess of mercy), and the Bodhisattva of wisdom, and what Nirvana looks like. This mandala is also known from the Legend of Princess Chujo, which tells that the piece was woven in one night using threads made from lotus.
    taima-dera-5.jpg
  • Ikkyu-ji Shuon-an -  Shuon-an Hojo Garden is a classic karesansui rock garden.  Another smaller moss-and-rock garden with a small stone pagoda is located around a back corner of the hojo. The garden have been designated a place of scenic beauty by the Japanese government.  Ikkyu himself is buried here and as he was an imperial prince the mausoleum is under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Household Agency.  Shojin ryori vegetarian temple cuisine is served here with advance reservations.
    Ikkyu-ji-shuon-an-2.jpg
  • Tofukuji Fumo-in is a Zen garden in Kaisan-do, sub-temples at Tofuku-ji.  The dry landscape karesansui garden here is composed of gravel raked into rectangles of sand arranged in a checkerboard fashion. At the end of the dry garden there is a small island with rocks and trees representing a turtle and a crane which are symbols of longevity.  The stone path that cuts through the garden in front of the main hall results in one of the most unique gardens in Kyoto.  On the east side of the path the lush pond garden has a stone bridge, shrubs and a hill.
    fumo-in-kaisando-10.jpg
  • Tofukuji Fumo-in is a Zen garden in Kaisan-do, sub-temples at Tofuku-ji.  The dry landscape karesansui garden here is composed of gravel raked into rectangles of sand arranged in a checkerboard fashion. At the end of the dry garden there is a small island with rocks and trees representing a turtle and a crane which are symbols of longevity.  The stone path that cuts through the garden in front of the main hall results in one of the most unique gardens in Kyoto.  On the east side of the path the lush pond garden has a stone bridge, shrubs and a hill.
    fumo-in-kaisando-09.jpg
  • Komyoji Garden at Komyoji Temple is a dry garden, sometimes called a Zen garden, though this temple is not of the Zen sect of Buddhism. It is a popular temple with locals in the Kamakura area for its abundant cherry blossoms in spring, frequent flea markets, and free parking near the beach.
    komyoji-pond.jpg
  • Suikinkutsu or Japanese water harp produces sounds of echoes made by water drops falling inside the jar beneath.  This unique device lets you hear the sound of water dripping below the basin.   Some suikinkutsu have “earphones” consisting of bamboo pipes that you need to put your ear to hear the echo of water inside, others have been designed to amplify the echo without tubes that can be heard in the nearby area of this unique feature.
    suikinkutsu-6.jpg
  • Water is considered purifying in Japan, hence the emphasis on cleanliness in everyday life. Water fountains such as these, known as tsukubai, are also beneficial to hear the trickling of falling water to soothe the nerves as well. A tsukubai is a small basin provided at Japanese Buddhist temples for visitors to purify themselves by the ritual washing of hands and rinsing of the mouth. This type of ritual cleansing is also the custom for guests attending a tea ceremony. Tsukubai are usually of stone, and are often provided with a small scoop, laid across the top, ready for use.
    basin-30.jpg
  • Hashin-tei Garden at Komyo-in.  Komyo-in is one of many sub-temples at Tofuku-ji and was founded in 1391. Several tatami rooms in this small temple offer a commanding view of its fine garden. The central part of the garden is a composed of a moss and stone design with numerous standing stones protruding from the mossy hillocks. The raked gravel, symbolizes water.  Komyo-in is much quieter than the rest of Tofuku-ji, even during the peak seasons and there lies is charm.  The garden at Komyo-in was designed by renowned garden designer and landscape architect Mirei Shigemori.  Mirei designed the garden with three Buddhist triads with stones placed on lines drawn from the large stone in the middle of the garden likened to rays from the Buddha. Hashin-tei Garden at Komyo-in. Komyo-in is one of many sub-temples at Tofuku-ji and was founded in 1391. Several tatami rooms in this small temple offer a commanding view of its fine garden. The central part of the garden is a composed of a moss and stone design with numerous standing stones protruding from the mossy hillocks. The raked gravel, symbolizes water. Komyo-in is much quieter than the rest of Tofuku-ji, even during the peak seasons and there lies is charm. The garden at Komyo-in was designed by renowned garden designer and landscape architect Mirei Shigemori. Mirei designed the garden with three Buddhist triads with stones placed on lines drawn from the large stone in the middle of the garden likened to rays from the Buddha.
    komyo-in-8.jpg
  • Jakko-in Water Basin - Jakko-in temple is a nunnery located in Ohara Kyoto. Within its small compound is a beautiful pond garden.  The Migiwa pond and garden was described and mentioned in the Japanese classic “The Tale of Heike” and is famous for its unique composition.
    jakko-in-1.jpg
  • Tsukubai at Hosen-in - Water is considered purifying in Japan, hence the emphasis on cleanliness in everyday life. Water fountains such as these, known as tsukubai, are also beneficial to hear the trickling of falling water to soothe the nerves as well. A tsukubai is a small basin provided at Japanese Buddhist temples for visitors to purify themselves by the ritual washing of hands and rinsing of the mouth. This type of ritual cleansing is also the custom for guests attending a tea ceremony. Tsukubai are usually of stone, and are often provided with a small scoop, laid across the top, ready for use.
    hosen-in-8.jpg
  • Zuiho-in Zen Garden's most intriguing feature is its main rock garden called "Dozuka-tei" which is raked into appealing patterns to suggest water ripples and waves lapping against rock formations representing the Hohrai Mountains. It was designed by Mirei Shigemori and is considered one of his most important modern Japanese gardens.
    zuiho-in-8.jpg
  • Zuiho-in Zen Garden's most intriguing feature is its main rock garden called "Dozuka-tei" which is raked into appealing patterns to suggest water ripples and waves lapping against rock formations representing the Hohrai Mountains. It was designed by Mirei Shigemori and is considered one of his most important modern Japanese gardens.
    zuiho-in-1.jpg
  • Ikkai-in is a quiet and has its own unique character and particularities. The most obvious of which is the central pine tree and its long lone branch supported by a couple of poles. This tree is the structuring element of the garden and can serve as a window for the other elements in the background: two stone lanterns, a red or two lost among the satsuki rhododendrons and, finally, a stepping stone path.
    ikkai-in-1.jpg
  • Ryogin-an was originally the residence of the third abott of Tofuku-ji. The Garden of the Dragon is one of the finest modern karesansui gardens designed by Shigemori Mirei, with stones dramatically placed amidst black and white gravel - each dark area represents a dragon or clouds.  The Eastern garden is the "Garden of the Inseparable", with a simple ginkgo tree standing in the background. This garden uses purple gravel that is not common for zen gardens, and hints at the recency of its design. All three gardens were designed by Shigemori Mirei a modern master landscape gardener who designed other gardens in Tofukuji as well as others in Kyoto and indeed Japan.
    ryugin-an-2.jpg
  • Mihama-en was built in Makuhari  with the intention of maintaining a bit of traditional Japanese design within a very modern urban environment. Its other purpose is to provide an oasis for residents and visitors to rest from modern life.  Mihama-en is the only traditional garden in Japan that intentionally used skyscrapers as its background contrast scenery.
    mihama-en-3.jpg
  • Genchuji Temple in Tottori is graced with a small but beautiful pond garden behind the temple.  Genchuji is also the burial site of Araki Mataemon, a swordsman of legend. Rakan  are painted on the fusuma screen doors inside the temple by Keitaro Takagi.
    genchuji--2.jpg
  • Ishitani Residence Garden - During the Edo period Chizu flourished as a post station. Among the quaint buildings in Chizu Town the residence of the Ishitani family, an upper class family.  Japanese, gardens are often designed to be viewed from a sitting position. The most celebrated garden at Ishitani Residence is the Chisen Garden, with plants artfully arranged around a pond, the Karesansui Garden, a dry landscape garden that uses no water to represent mountains and streams, and the Shibafu Garden showing the charm of green lawns. The space from indoors to the veranda and the gardens are connected in a gentle way.  In this way Japanese can appreciate living alongside nature by viewing from within the home.
    ishitani-garden-9.jpg
  • Ishitani Residence Garden - During the Edo period Chizu flourished as a post station. Among the quaint buildings in Chizu Town the residence of the Ishitani family, an upper class family.  Japanese, gardens are often designed to be viewed from a sitting position. The most celebrated garden at Ishitani Residence is the Chisen Garden, with plants artfully arranged around a pond, the Karesansui Garden, a dry landscape garden that uses no water to represent mountains and streams, and the Shibafu Garden showing the charm of green lawns. The space from indoors to the veranda and the gardens are connected in a gentle way.  In this way Japanese can appreciate living alongside nature by viewing from within the home.
    ishitani-garden-5.jpg
  • Ishitani Residence Garden - During the Edo period Chizu flourished as a post station. Among the quaint buildings in Chizu Town the residence of the Ishitani family, an upper class family.  Japanese, gardens are often designed to be viewed from a sitting position. The most celebrated garden at Ishitani Residence is the Chisen Garden, with plants artfully arranged around a pond, the Karesansui Garden, a dry landscape garden that uses no water to represent mountains and streams, and the Shibafu Garden showing the charm of green lawns. The space from indoors to the veranda and the gardens are connected in a gentle way.  In this way Japanese can appreciate living alongside nature by viewing from within the home.
    ishitani-garden-7.jpg
  • Lafcadio Hearn lived in Matsue for about one year during his long life in Japan.  His former residence is open to the public and is dedicated to his work.  Hearn was born in Greece in 1850 to an Irish father and a Greek mother and lived in Greece, Ireland, Britain, France and the USA before ending up in  Japan in 1890 where he married a Japanese and was naturalized as Japanese as Koizumi Yakumo, his name in Japan.  He is best know for books that introduced Japan to the western world.   His most famous work was "Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan”.  In his home at Matsue, Hearn described the Japanese garden of the residence: “There are large rocks in it, heavily mossed and fantastic basins of stone for holding water; and stone lamps green with years... and there are green knolls like islets.”  In his well known essay “In A Japanese Garden” he writes: “These are the gardens of the past. The future will know them only as dreams, creations of a forgotten art.”
    lafcadio-hearn-garden-1.jpg
  • Tenshozan Renge-in Komyo-ji usually referred to only as Komyoji is a Buddhist temple of the Jodo sect in Kamakura.  The temple is dedicated to the training of Buddhist priests and scholarly research.  Although Komyoji is a Jodo sect temple, it has certain features normally found only in a Zen temple, that is a pond garden, dry rock garden and a temple gate.
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  • Komyoji Garden at Komyoji Temple is a dry garden, sometimes called a Zen garden, though this temple is not of the Zen sect of Buddhism. It is a popular temple with locals in the Kamakura area for its abundant cherry blossoms in spring, frequent flea markets, and free parking near the beach.
    komyoji-garden-7.jpg
  • Kiyosumi Teien Garden was the site of the residence of the Edo Period business magnate, Kinokuniya Bunzaemon. Later it became the residence of the Edo of the Lord of Sekiyado castle, Shimofusa-no-kuni the period when the basic form of the garden came into existence.  In 1878,  Iwasaki Yataro, chose this property to use a garden for the entertainment of important guests. After the design and construction phases ended, the garden opened in 1880 under the name of "Fukagawa Shimbokuen." In later years, the waters of the Sumida River were brought into the grounds to make the pond. Hills and waterless waterfalls were constructed and famous rocks from all over Japan were brought in to embellish the garden. The garden was completed in the Meiji Period and developed into a famous strolling garden centered around a large pond.
    kiyosumi-28.jpg
  • Kiyosumi Teien Garden was the site of the residence of the Edo Period business magnate, Kinokuniya Bunzaemon. Later it became the residence of the Edo of the Lord of Sekiyado castle, Shimofusa-no-kuni the period when the basic form of the garden came into existence.  In 1878,  Iwasaki Yataro, chose this property to use a garden for the entertainment of important guests. After the design and construction phases ended, the garden opened in 1880 under the name of "Fukagawa Shimbokuen." In later years, the waters of the Sumida River were brought into the grounds to make the pond. Hills and waterless waterfalls were constructed and famous rocks from all over Japan were brought in to embellish the garden. The garden was completed in the Meiji Period and developed into a famous strolling garden centered around a large pond.
    kiyosumi-27.jpg
  • Showa Kinen Park is a large space surrounded by greenery in the outer suburbs of Tokyo.  A traditional Japanese garden was created in 1997 in a corner of this spacious park.  The strolling garden surrounds a pond, overlooking a tea house.   The delicacy of traditional Japanese landscaping takes account of details as small as a single flower plant or small stone. Kanfu-tei is the tea house built in the Sukiya style in harmony with the pond garden. It was built using mostly cypress special techniques such as roofing with cypress bark and special joints at pillars and beams.
    showa-kinen-garden-7.jpg
  • Momijiyama Garden is located near the ruins of Sunpu Castle in Shizuoka.  Garden of the Village is made up of various flowers, plants and a wooden pavilion. The zigzag wooden bridge is surrounded by irises in late May and June.  Garden of the Mountain Village is composed of a hill meant to resemble Mt. Fuji.  Surrounding the hill are azalea bushes arranged to as to look like the terraced tea fields of Shizuoka.  Shizuoka’s claims to fame are green tea and Mt Fuji.  Next, Garden of the Sea or is meant to be viewed between the pines facing the pond with the white beach below, so as to resemble the seashore of Miwa. Stones in the pond and the opposite shore represent Izu coastline, also part of Shizuoka Prefecture and known for its seascapes.  Finally the Garden of the Mountain is composed of two small waterfalls meant to symbolize mountain scenes of Japan.
    momijiyama-13.jpg
  • Chion-in Hojo Garden is a pond garden and designed in the early Edo period by Gyokuen and Ryoami, who were connected to garden master Kobori Enshu.  Kyoto prefecture has designated the garden as “Famous Scenic Spot”
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  • Water is considered purifying in Japan, hence the emphasis on cleanliness in everyday life. Water fountains such as these, known as tsukubai, are also beneficial to hear the trickling of falling water to soothe the nerves as well. A tsukubai is a small basin provided at Japanese Buddhist temples for visitors to purify themselves by the ritual washing of hands and rinsing of the mouth. This type of ritual cleansing is also the custom for guests attending a tea ceremony.<br />
Tsukubai are usually of stone, and are often provided with a small scoop, laid across the top, ready for use.
    tsukubai-8.jpg
  • Ginkakuji garden is famous for its cone shaped structure called the Kogetsudai or Moon Viewing Platform.  Many people assume it is meant to resemble Mount Fuji, while others believe it is meant to reflect divine light into hearts of viewers.  Soami, the famous landscape gardener designed the garden and buildings of Ginkaku-ji.  He is thought to have been the greatest garden designer in medieval Japan - having his name attached to a temple grants immediate distinction although there is no mention of the sand structure before renovations of the Edo period (almost 100 years after Soami's death).
    ginkakuji-7.jpg
  • Ginkakuji garden is famous for its cone shaped structure called the Kogetsudai or Moon Viewing Platform.  Many people assume it is meant to resemble Mount Fuji, while others believe it is meant to reflect divine light into hearts of viewers.  Soami, the famous landscape gardener designed the garden and buildings of Ginkaku-ji.  He is thought to have been the greatest garden designer in medieval Japan - having his name attached to a temple grants immediate distinction although there is no mention of the sand structure before renovations of the Edo period (almost 100 years after Soami's death).
    ginkakuji-4.jpg
  • Issuien Garden rear garden was designed by Horitoku, with a pavilion on the west side of the pond.  The pond in the eastern garden inscribes the Chinese character for water and contains a small island, reached by stepping stones. Its layout is that of a strolling garden with hills and a waterfall.  This is a strolling garden, with paths encircling the garden rolling past a teahouse, rest areas, moving over stepping stones.
    isui-en-4.jpg
  • The large rock garden at the main temple hall, the Hondo is of type meaning "dry mountains and water" style. Inside the hondo  itself are many painted sliding doors from renowned artist Hashimoto Kansetsu.
    kenninji-2.jpg
  • Kodai-ji Temple is located at the foot of Higashiyama Ryozen Mountains in Kyoto. It is officially called Kodaiji Jushozenji Temple and was established in 1606.  Tokugawa Ieyasu - the first Tokugawa shogun - financed the construction of the temple resulting in its magnificent appearance.  Many of its buildings and tea houses.  Kodaiji's garden is said to have been designed by the landscape garden designer Kobori Enshu. The garden is designated by the Japanese Government as a historical site and a place of scenic beauty.  Kodaiji south garden is a karesansui or dry rock garden that features raked gravel punctuated by conical formations and surrounded by borders of moss and stone.
    kodaiji-3.jpg
  • The Katsura Imperial Villa or Katsura Rikyu as it is known in Japanese is a villa in the western suburbs of Kyoto. It is one of Japan's most important large-scale cultural treasures. Its gardens are a masterpiece of Japanese gardening, and the buildings perfect examples of Japanese architecture at its best. The Katsura Imperial Villa is a good example of the essence of Japanese traditional design. The Villa combines principles usually used in early Shinto shrines and merges it with the esthetics and philosophy of Zen Buddhism. It provides an invaluable window into the villas of princes of the Edo period. The palace formerly belonged to the prince of the Hachij-no-miya family. The Imperial Household Agency now maintains and administers.
    katsura-villa-10.jpg
  • Sanbo-in is a Buddhist temple in southern Kyoto, famous for the quality of its Japanese garden.  The garden is designed as a strolling garden with a large pond and several paths and bridges and said to contain over 700 stones.  One of the stones, called the Fujito, is said to have cost over 5,000 bushels of rice to obtain. Sanb-in is also a noteworthy illustration of a landscape garden which is designed for viewing from a specific perspective within a building. Laid out in the Momoyama period, the garden depicts "fortuitous crane," the "tortoise" and the "isle of eternal youth" poetic terms that identify specific ways in which stones and ponds are poised in a prescribed, esoteric relationship. .Toyotomi Hideyoshi designed this garden as a venue for an extravagant cherry blossom viewing party.  Sanbo-in is subtemple of Daigoji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Treasure of Japan. IMAGE UNAVAILABLE FOR SALE IN JAPAN
    sanbo-in-4.jpg
  • Sanbo-in is a Buddhist temple in southern Kyoto, famous for the quality of its Japanese garden.  The garden is designed as a strolling garden with a large pond and several paths and bridges and said to contain over 700 stones.  One of the stones, called the Fujito, is said to have cost over 5,000 bushels of rice to obtain. Sanb-in is also a noteworthy illustration of a landscape garden which is designed for viewing from a specific perspective within a building. Laid out in the Momoyama period, the garden depicts "fortuitous crane," the "tortoise" and the "isle of eternal youth" poetic terms that identify specific ways in which stones and ponds are poised in a prescribed, esoteric relationship. .Toyotomi Hideyoshi designed this garden as a venue for an extravagant cherry blossom viewing party.  Sanbo-in is subtemple of Daigoji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Treasure of Japan.IMAGE UNAVAILABLE FOR SALE IN JAPAN
    sanbo-in-8.jpg
  • Kairaku-en "A park to be enjoyed together" is a Japanese garden located in Mito. Along with Kenroku-en and Koraku-en, it is considered one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Kairakuen was built by the local lord Tokugawa Nariaki. Unlike Japan's other two great landscape gardens Kairakuen served not only for the enjoyment of the ruling lord, but was open to the public. Kairakuen is most attractive during the plum blossom or ume season, which usually takes place in late February and early March..
    kairakuen-1.jpg
  • Honbu Garden Myoshinji - Although it is a main temple of the Myoshin-ji group of the Rinzai sect, which contains 47 sub-temples in a vast area, its Honbo garden is rather simple with impressive paired sand cones used for public events and ceremonies.  The garden is said to have been deisgned by Muso Soseki.
    Honbo-Garden-3.jpg
  • Murin-an Garden Kyoto - Yamagata Aritomo constructed his private villa near the great Zen Buddhist temple of Nanzenji and called it Murin-an.  The garden is famous for its strolling garden, which is cleverly designed to take in the nearby hills of Higashiyama as "borrowed scenery" and the waters of Lake Biwa canal as the source of its stream.
    murin-an-garden-3.jpg
  • Hasedera temple grounds include an attractive garden and pond, with bamboo water fountain, koi pond and stone lanterns.
    hase-dera-garden-4.jpg
  • Korakuen is a Japanese landscape garden located in Okayama and is considered one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, along with Kenrokuen and Kairakuen. Korakuen was built in 1700 by Ikeda Tsunamasa, lord of Okayama. In 1884, ownership was transferred to Okayama Prefecture and the garden was opened to the public. The garden suffered severe flood damage in 1934 and during World War II bombing in 1945, but has been restored based on Edo period paintings and diagrams.
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  • Hama Rikyu Garden or  Hama-rikyu Onshi Teien is a  landscape garden surrounding Shioiri Pond. The park itself is surrounded by a seawater moat filled by Tokyo Bay. It was remodeled as a public garden park on the site of a villa of the Shogun Tokugawa family in the 17th century.  Visitors can also enjoy Japanese tea and sweets at a tea house in the middle of the pond, called Nakajima-no-Ochaya in the garden that offers matcha tea and Japanese sweets.
    nakajima-ochaya-1.jpg
  • Rikugien Garden  the very name of this garden means the six traditional elements essential to great poetry.  A wonderful, romantic sentiment in itself for a garden but especially apt because the concept has been followed through to the design and layout of this garden which depicts 88 scenes from a classic Japanese poem.  It does so by use of the pond, stone islands, teahouses and bridges.
    rikugien-5.jpg
  • Meigetsuin is a Zen temple in Kamakura in harmony with nature. Composed of two gardens, one zen dry garden in front and a strolling garden in back. Meigetsuin is well-known for the many hydrangea in bloom in June, and vivid maples leaves in autumn.  According to 350-year-old records  Meigetsuin was originally just the guest house of a much bigger  Zenko-ji Temple which was closed by the government during the Meiji period and is all that remains of the formerly important temple.
    meigetsuin-garden-6.jpg
  • Tenryuji Garden has been ranked first among Kyoto's "Five Great Zen Temples". Tenryuji was established in 1339, and like many other temples burnt down several times over its history. Muso Soseki, the temple's founding abbot and famous garden designer, created Tenryuji's landscape garden which, unlike the temple buildings, survived the many fires and is considered one of the oldest of its kind, that is "borrowed landscape" garden, taking in the background scenery of the hills of  Arashiyama as part of the garden's composition. Sogenchi pond and Ishigumi rock clusters in the garden are this pond garden's essential ingredients.
    tenryuji-6.jpg
  • Hoshun-in Zen Garden, Daitokuji Temple, Though not very large, Hoshun-in is an elegantly landscaped garden with oddly overlaying rocks, and attractive for its three dimensional composition.  Hoshun-in offers outstanding seasonal beauty in the flowering season due to lilies and irises surrounding the pond and its Zen rock garden.
    hoshun-in-4.jpg
  • Togetsukyo Bridge at Koishikawa Korakuen Garden -  one of Tokyo's oldest and most beautiful Japanese landscape gardens. It was built by close relatives of the Tokugawa Shogun in the early Edo Period..Like most traditional Japanese gardens, Koishikawa Korakuen attempts to reproduce famous landscapes from China and Japan in miniature, using a pond, stones, plants and a man made hill.
    koishikawa-korakuen-18.jpg
  • Rikugien Garden - the name of this garden means the six traditional elements essential to great poetry. A wonderful, romantic sentiment in itself for a garden stroll but especially apt because the concept has been followed through to the design and layout of this garden which depicts 88 scenes from a classic Japanese poem. It does so by use of the pond, stone islands, teahouses and bridges
    rikugien-yamakage-bridge-5.jpg
  • Rikugien Garden - the name of this garden means the six traditional elements essential to great poetry. A wonderful, romantic sentiment in itself for a garden stroll but especially apt because the concept has been followed through to the design and layout of this garden which depicts 88 scenes from a classic Japanese poem. It does so by use of the pond, stone islands, teahouses and bridges
    rikugien-25.jpg
  • Shofu-en has three famous gardens: Iwakura, Horai and Kyokusui. These modern Japanese gardens were designed by Mirei Shigemori during the Showa era. They are among the greatest of Japanese gardens designed after the Meiji era. Mirei designed them with a combination of rocks, and the opposite concepts of "stillness" and "movement" in harmony.
    matsuo-shrine-garden-13.jpg
  • Jizo-in, also known as the Bamboo Temple, thanks to its bamboo forest, was built in 1367 by the Hosakawa family. The temple flourished for five generations before the Onin war destroyed most of the buildings like so many others in Kyoto.  Its simple and quiet garden, not to mention the bamboo forest can be beautiful if the light is right. The temple’s name with the word Jizo in it refers to the small stone statues known to be guardians of women, children and travelers which, can often be found along roads as well as in many temples in Japan.  
    jizo-in-kyoto-3.jpg
  • Mirei Garden at Shinnyodo -  Three gardens are to be found at <br />
Shinnyodo Temple.  The first is the Nehan "Nirvana" garden and was built in the classic karesansui rock garden style in 1988. It uses the shakkei borrowed landscape technique to include Mt. Hiei in its design. The second garden was designed by Shigemori Chisao - Its modern geometrical style is similar in design to his father renowned landscape architect and garden designer Shigemori Mirei. The third is a small tea garden, with its own tea ceremony hut.
    shinnyodo-mirei-garden-4.jpg
  • Mirei Garden at Shinnyodo -  Three gardens are to be found at <br />
Shinnyodo Temple.  The first is the Nehan "Nirvana" garden and was built in the classic karesansui rock garden style in 1988. It uses the shakkei borrowed landscape technique to include Mt. Hiei in its design. The second garden was designed by Shigemori Chisao - Its modern geometrical style is similar in design to his father renowned landscape architect and garden designer Shigemori Mirei. The third is a small tea garden, with its own tea ceremony hut.
    shinnyodo-mirei-garden-1.jpg
  • Yukinoniwa Garden  - The garden of Myomanji named Yuki-no-niwa or “snow garden” was built by Matsunaga Teitoku. In its heyday it was called one of the three best gardens in Kyoto that had the combination of: snow, moon and flowers.  There is a fine washitsu tatami room from which to admire the garden. Yukinoniwa Garden has been compared to Jojuin garden - a sub-temple of Kiyomizudera. Myomanji temple grounds are made up of islands of raked gravel.  Additionally there is a tower, as well as a large stupa which is a copy of Bodh Gaya in India where Buddha gained Enlightenment.
    myomanji-13.jpg
  • Taima-dera was established when the Imperial Prince Maroko, the brother of Prince Shotoku, who worked on spreading Buddhism, built the temple in 612. It was originally in the Kawachi region (part of the present Osaka). Because it was moved to the present location in 681 by Taima no Kunimi, a powerful figure of the time, it came to be known as Taima-dera. Its object of worship is a mandala, which is a painting that depicts the teachings of the Buddha. It is called Tsuzureori Taima Mandara-zu, and depicts such Buddha images as Amitabha, Kannon (the goddess of mercy), and the Bodhisattva of wisdom, and what Nirvana looks like. This mandala is also known from the Legend of Princess Chujo, which tells that the piece was woven in one night using threads made from lotus.
    taima-dera-1.jpg
  • Tofukuji South Garden, in front of the Hojo is the most contrived work among the four gardens and is composed of rock compositions symbolizing Elysian islands - from the east to the west named "Eiju, Horai, Koryo, and Hojo" - placed on the sand garden floor "Hakkai" meaning the eight seas and five moss covered sacred mountains at the western end.  The garden was designed by renowned landscape architect Mirei Shigemori and considered to be one of his most important and representative works.
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