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  • Karesansui Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine  - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The adjacent peony garden features large stones which were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government.  This peony garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.  The dry garden was created along Japanese lines similar to Zen karesansui gardens, although Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is a shinto shrine which honors various gods, and has little to do with Zen Buddhism.
    tsurugaoka-garden-1.jpg
  • Karesansui Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine  - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The adjacent peony garden features large stones which were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government.  This peony garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.  The dry garden was created along Japanese lines similar to Zen karesansui gardens, although Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is a shinto shrine which honors various gods, and has little to do with Zen Buddhism.
    tsurugaoka-garden-3.jpg
  • Jomyoji, a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple in Kamakura, was founded by the influential Ashikaga clan.  Jomyo-ji’s main hall sits at the end of a garden and houses a statue of  Buddha. Jomyoji also has a restored tea house Kisen-an where visitors can enjoy the view of the zen karesansui garden.  For its role in Japanese history, Jomyo-ji is named a National Historical Site by the government of Japan.
    jomyoji-amber-2.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.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-11.jpg
  • Gyokurinji is a Rinzai Buddhist temple that was founded in the  Muromachi period 1339. The garden was created in the second half of the Heisei period. Its dry stone karesansui garden was created in recent years, and was designed in three straight lines:  an abstract representation of a treasure boat heading to the shore anchored in the pool of night. The highlights are Hiyama and a stone bridge made of natural stone. The stone bridge at the intersection of two other stones, when viewed from a different angle, the balance is maintained by slightly cutting the stone. This makes it look like a stone bridge with an exquisite balance when viewed from the front. There is a second dry mountain garden behind the zen garden, covered and surrounded with cedar moss on a gentle slope.
    gyokurinji-itsukaiichi-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-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-12.jpg
  • Tenjuan Temple Garden - Tenjuan Temple is a small subtemple of Nanzenji dedicated to the Zen master who served Emperor Kameyama in his religious studies. Tenju-an has a main hall and study which date back to the early 17th century. Tenjuan is noteworthy for its two gardens, a rock garden and an adjacent pond garden, which are particularly attractive during autumn. The dry karesansui garden has unusual patterns normally not found in karesansui zen gardens.
    tenju-an-1.jpg
  • Tenjuan Temple Garden - Tenjuan Temple is a small subtemple of Nanzenji dedicated to the Zen master who served Emperor Kameyama in his religious studies. Tenju-an has a main hall and study which date back to the early 17th century. Tenjuan is noteworthy for its two gardens, a rock garden and an adjacent pond garden, which are particularly attractive during autumn. The dry karesansui garden has unusual patterns normally not found in karesansui zen gardens.
    tenju-an-4.jpg
  • Tenjuan Temple Garden - Tenjuan Temple is a small subtemple of Nanzenji dedicated to the Zen master who served Emperor Kameyama in his religious studies. Tenju-an has a main hall and study which date back to the early 17th century. Tenjuan is noteworthy for its two gardens, a rock garden and an adjacent pond garden, which are particularly attractive during autumn. The dry karesansui garden has unusual patterns normally not found in karesansui zen gardens.
    tenju-an-3.jpg
  • At Kodai-ji temple there are several formal gardens designed by Kobori Enshu, who was an architect and master Zen gardener, as well as a master of calligraphy, poetry, and tea ceremony.  Kodaiji's south garden is a karesansui, or dry rock garden featuring a large area of raked gravel that is punctuated by conical gravel formations and surrounded by a border of moss and stone. The raked gravel of a karesansui is meant to evoke the ripple patterns that form in water.
    kodaiji-8.jpg
  • 19. Ryoanji 龍安寺 garden is the world's best known Zen garden. This rock garden, known as a dry garden or karesansui is the most renowned of its kind in the world. The simple appearance of this Zen garden consists of nothing but stones and neatly raked gravel. The intention of the garden's design is obscure and up to each visitor's interpretation. Like a Zen koan puzzle it is said that if you can see all of the 15 stones at once you will have reached enlightenment.
    19.KYOTO-RYOANJI-01.jpg
  • 19. Ryoanji 龍安寺 garden is the world's best known Zen garden. This rock garden, known as a dry garden or karesansui is the most renowned of its kind in the world. The simple appearance of this Zen garden consists of nothing but stones and neatly raked gravel. The intention of the garden's design is obscure and up to each visitor's interpretation. Like a Zen koan puzzle it is said that if you can see all of the 15 stones at once you will have reached enlightenment.
    19.KYOTO-RYOANJI-02.jpg
  • Ryogen-in, the head temple of the South School of Rinzai-shu Daitoku-ji sect, has a collection of zen gardens. The most interesting would be Ryogin-tei, a moss covered Karesansui that was laid out in the early 16th century.
    ryogen-in-6.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
  • The large rock garden at Kenninji Hondo is of type meaning "dry mountains and water" style. Inside the hondo itself are many painted sliding fusuma doors from renowned artist Hashimoto Kansetsu.
    kenninji-3.jpg
  • Ryoanji or the Temple of the Dragon at Peace is a Zen temple in northwest Kyoto, Ryoanji belongs to the My shin-ji school of the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism. The garden is considered to be the finest examples of a karesansui, Japanese rock garden, or zen garden, in the world. The temple and gardens are listed as Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto and as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    ryoanji-1.jpg
  • Ryoanji or the Temple of the Dragon at Peace is a Zen temple in northwest Kyoto, Ryoanji belongs to the My shin-ji school of the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism. The garden is considered to be the finest examples of a karesansui, Japanese rock garden, or zen garden, in the world. The temple and gardens are listed as Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto and as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    ryoanji-2.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-1.jpg
  • Ryogen-in, the head temple of the South School of Rinzai-shu Daitoku-ji sect, has a collection of zen gardens. The most interesting would be Ryogin-tei, a moss covered Karesansui that was laid out in the early 16th century.
    ryogen-in-3.jpg
  • Nanzenji Hojo Garden - Nanzenji Temple is one of the most important Zen temples in Japan and the head temple of one of the schools within the Rinzai sect of Japanese Zen Buddhism. The Hojo is the former head priest's residence and Nanzenji's main hall. The Hojo is most famous for its dry rock karesansui garden whose rocks are said to resemble tigers and cubs crossing through water. Hojo Garden is a typical rock and sand garden built in the early Edo era. It features a wide, open space in front of a corner of green. It is said to be designed by Kobori Enshu, who was an expert at weaving perspective into his stone arrangements.  Besides its renowned karesansui garden, the hojo is in fact surrounded by smaller gardens.
    nanzenji-hojo-2.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-4.jpg
  • At Kodai-ji temple there are several formal gardens designed by Kobori Enshu, a master Zen gardener.   Kodaiji's south garden is a karesansui, or dry rock garden featuring a large area of raked gravel,  punctuated by conical gravel formations and surrounded by a border of moss and stone. The raked gravel of a karesansui is meant to evoke the ripple patterns that form in water.
    kodaiji-1.jpg
  • Nanzenji Hojo Garden - Nanzenji Temple is one of the most important Zen temples in Japan and the head temple of one of the schools within the Rinzai sect of Japanese Zen Buddhism. The Hojo is the former head priest's residence and Nanzenji's main hall. The Hojo is most famous for its dry rock karesansui garden whose rocks are said to resemble tigers and cubs crossing through water. Hojo Garden is a typical rock and sand garden built in the early Edo era. It features a wide, open space in front of a corner of green. It is said to be designed by Kobori Enshu, who was an expert at weaving perspective into his stone arrangements.  Besides its renowned karesansui garden, the hojo is in fact surrounded by smaller gardens.
    nanzenji-hojo-11.jpg
  • Nanzenji Hojo Garden - Nanzenji Temple is one of the most important Zen temples in Japan and the head temple of one of the schools within the Rinzai sect of Japanese Zen Buddhism. The Hojo is the former head priest's residence and Nanzenji's main hall. The Hojo is most famous for its dry rock karesansui garden whose rocks are said to resemble tigers and cubs crossing through water. Hojo Garden is a typical rock and sand garden built in the early Edo era. It features a wide, open space in front of a corner of green. It is said to be designed by Kobori Enshu, who was an expert at weaving perspective into his stone arrangements.  Besides its renowned karesansui garden, the hojo is in fact surrounded by smaller gardens.
    nanzenji-hojo-3.jpg
  • Joshinji Zen Garden - The Hondo main hall at Joshin-ji Temple was built in 1759 and has a striking zen garden next to the hall, one of the very few dry karesansui gardens in Tokyo. Joshin-ji Temple, also known as Kuhonbutsu is a large Jodo sect Buddhist temple in Jiyugaoka Tokyo.  The temple was established in 1678 and still maintains its original buildings . The grounds contain some of Tokyo’s oldest trees a few more than 700 years old.  Jōshin-ji is the home of the three Buddha Halls in front of the main Hall, devoted to Amida Buddha.  Each of the tall statues shows a different hand position, also known as Mudra, which have a symbolic meaning in esoteric Buddhism.  These Buddha Statues were the craftwork of the great master Kaseki Shonin who devoted his life to create nine different manifestations of the Amida Buddha.  The Niohmon Gate was completed in 1793. It houses a pair of fierce guardian divinities. Joshinji Kuhon Butsu is not listed as a tourist attraction and maintains its serenity as a working Jodo Buddhist temple without charing admissions, fees nor restrictions on entering.
    daisuke-joshinji-2.jpg
  • To the south of the hojo at Kenninji Temple there is a dry or karesansui garden named "Daioen" which means grand garden. It is said that the pattern of white gravel symbolizes a field of clouds.  This effect is helped by the waves and ripples in the gravel which give this effect.
    kenninji-13.jpg
  • Nanzenji Hojo Garden - Nanzenji Temple is one of the most important Zen temples in Japan and the head temple of one of the schools within the Rinzai sect of Japanese Zen Buddhism. The Hojo is the former head priest's residence and Nanzenji's main hall. The Hojo is most famous for its dry rock karesansui garden whose rocks are said to resemble tigers and cubs crossing through water. Hojo Garden is a typical rock and sand garden built in the early Edo era. It features a wide, open space in front of a corner of green. It is said to be designed by Kobori Enshu, who was an expert at weaving perspective into his stone arrangements.  Besides its renowned karesansui garden, the hojo is in fact surrounded by smaller gardens.
    nanzenji-hojo-8.jpg
  • Joshinji Zen Garden - The Hondo main hall at Joshin-ji Temple was built in 1759 and has a striking zen garden next to the hall, one of the very few dry karesansui gardens in Tokyo. Joshin-ji Temple, also known as Kuhonbutsu is a large Jodo sect Buddhist temple in Jiyugaoka Tokyo.  The temple was established in 1678 and still maintains its original buildings . The grounds contain some of Tokyo’s oldest trees a few more than 700 years old.  Jōshin-ji is the home of the three Buddha Halls in front of the main Hall, devoted to Amida Buddha.  Each of the tall statues shows a different hand position, also known as Mudra, which have a symbolic meaning in esoteric Buddhism.  These Buddha Statues were the craftwork of the great master Kaseki Shonin who devoted his life to create nine different manifestations of the Amida Buddha.  The Niohmon Gate was completed in 1793. It houses a pair of fierce guardian divinities. Joshinji Kuhon Butsu is not listed as a tourist attraction and maintains its serenity as a working Jodo Buddhist temple without charing admissions, fees nor restrictions on entering.
    joshinji-garden-11.jpg
  • Joshinji Zen Garden - The Hondo main hall at Joshin-ji Temple was built in 1759 and has a striking zen garden next to the hall, one of the very few dry karesansui gardens in Tokyo. Joshin-ji Temple, also known as Kuhonbutsu is a large Jodo sect Buddhist temple in Jiyugaoka Tokyo.  The temple was established in 1678 and still maintains its original buildings . The grounds contain some of Tokyo’s oldest trees a few more than 700 years old.  Jōshin-ji is the home of the three Buddha Halls in front of the main Hall, devoted to Amida Buddha.  Each of the tall statues shows a different hand position, also known as Mudra, which have a symbolic meaning in esoteric Buddhism.  These Buddha Statues were the craftwork of the great master Kaseki Shonin who devoted his life to create nine different manifestations of the Amida Buddha.  The Niohmon Gate was completed in 1793. It houses a pair of fierce guardian divinities. Joshinji Kuhon Butsu is not listed as a tourist attraction and maintains its serenity as a working Jodo Buddhist temple without charing admissions, fees nor restrictions on entering.
    joshinji-garden-13.jpg
  • Joshinji Zen Garden - The Hondo main hall at Joshin-ji Temple was built in 1759 and has a striking zen garden next to the hall, one of the very few dry karesansui gardens in Tokyo. Joshin-ji Temple, also known as Kuhonbutsu is a large Jodo sect Buddhist temple in Jiyugaoka Tokyo.  The temple was established in 1678 and still maintains its original buildings . The grounds contain some of Tokyo’s oldest trees a few more than 700 years old.  Jōshin-ji is the home of the three Buddha Halls in front of the main Hall, devoted to Amida Buddha.  Each of the tall statues shows a different hand position, also known as Mudra, which have a symbolic meaning in esoteric Buddhism.  These Buddha Statues were the craftwork of the great master Kaseki Shonin who devoted his life to create nine different manifestations of the Amida Buddha.  The Niohmon Gate was completed in 1793. It houses a pair of fierce guardian divinities. Joshinji Kuhon Butsu is not listed as a tourist attraction and maintains its serenity as a working Jodo Buddhist temple without charing admissions, fees nor restrictions on entering.
    joshinji-garden-2.jpg
  • Tenju-an is one of many sub temples at Nanzenji and was built in 1336 to commemorate the founding of Nanzenji in the previous century.  There are two gardens within the compound, though the more famous and impresive of the two is the zen rock garden or karesansui.
    tenju-an-garden-2.jpg
  • Ryogen-tei Garden at Ryogen-in which has a collection of Zen gardens. The most interesting would be Ryogin-tei, a Karesansui or dry garden designed and laid out in the early 16th century.
    ryogen-in-1.jpg
  • Joshinji Zen Garden - The Hondo main hall at Joshin-ji Temple was built in 1759 and has a striking zen garden next to the hall, one of the very few dry karesansui gardens in Tokyo. Joshin-ji Temple, also known as Kuhonbutsu is a large Jodo sect Buddhist temple in Jiyugaoka Tokyo.  The temple was established in 1678 and still maintains its original buildings . The grounds contain some of Tokyo’s oldest trees a few more than 700 years old.  Jōshin-ji is the home of the three Buddha Halls in front of the main Hall, devoted to Amida Buddha.  Each of the tall statues shows a different hand position, also known as Mudra, which have a symbolic meaning in esoteric Buddhism.  These Buddha Statues were the craftwork of the great master Kaseki Shonin who devoted his life to create nine different manifestations of the Amida Buddha.  The Niohmon Gate was completed in 1793. It houses a pair of fierce guardian divinities. Joshinji Kuhon Butsu is not listed as a tourist attraction and maintains its serenity as a working Jodo Buddhist temple without charing admissions, fees nor restrictions on entering.
    joshinji-garden-14.jpg
  • Joshinji Zen Garden - The Hondo main hall at Joshin-ji Temple was built in 1759 and has a striking zen garden next to the hall, one of the very few dry karesansui gardens in Tokyo. Joshin-ji Temple, also known as Kuhonbutsu is a large Jodo sect Buddhist temple in Jiyugaoka Tokyo.  The temple was established in 1678 and still maintains its original buildings . The grounds contain some of Tokyo’s oldest trees a few more than 700 years old.  Jōshin-ji is the home of the three Buddha Halls in front of the main Hall, devoted to Amida Buddha.  Each of the tall statues shows a different hand position, also known as Mudra, which have a symbolic meaning in esoteric Buddhism.  These Buddha Statues were the craftwork of the great master Kaseki Shonin who devoted his life to create nine different manifestations of the Amida Buddha.  The Niohmon Gate was completed in 1793. It houses a pair of fierce guardian divinities. Joshinji Kuhon Butsu is not listed as a tourist attraction and maintains its serenity as a working Jodo Buddhist temple without charing admissions, fees nor restrictions on entering.
    joshinji-garden-3.jpg
  • Dry Stone Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The adjacent peony garden features large stones which were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government.  This peony garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.  The dry garden was created along Japanese lines similar to Zen karesansui gardens, although Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is a shinto shrine which honors various gods, and has little to do with Zen Buddhism.
    tsurugaoka-peony-2.jpg
  • Dry Stone Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The adjacent peony garden features large stones which were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government.  This peony garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.  The dry garden was created along Japanese lines similar to Zen karesansui gardens, although Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is a shinto shrine which honors various gods, and has little to do with Zen Buddhism.
    tsurugaoka-peony-9.jpg
  • Joshinji Zen Garden - The Hondo main hall at Joshin-ji Temple was built in 1759 and has a striking zen garden next to the hall, one of the very few dry karesansui gardens in Tokyo. Joshin-ji Temple, also known as Kuhonbutsu is a large Jodo sect Buddhist temple in Jiyugaoka Tokyo.  The temple was established in 1678 and still maintains its original buildings . The grounds contain some of Tokyo’s oldest trees a few more than 700 years old.  Jōshin-ji is the home of the three Buddha Halls in front of the main Hall, devoted to Amida Buddha.  Each of the tall statues shows a different hand position, also known as Mudra, which have a symbolic meaning in esoteric Buddhism.  These Buddha Statues were the craftwork of the great master Kaseki Shonin who devoted his life to create nine different manifestations of the Amida Buddha.  The Niohmon Gate was completed in 1793. It houses a pair of fierce guardian divinities. Joshinji Kuhon Butsu is not listed as a tourist attraction and maintains its serenity as a working Jodo Buddhist temple without charing admissions, fees nor restrictions on entering.
    joshinji-garden-5.jpg
  • Nanzenji Hojo Garden - Nanzenji Temple is one of the most important Zen temples in Japan and the head temple of one of the schools within the Rinzai sect of Japanese Zen Buddhism. The Hojo is the former head priest's residence and Nanzenji's main hall. The Hojo is most famous for its dry rock karesansui garden whose rocks are said to resemble tigers and cubs crossing through water. Hojo Garden is a typical rock and sand garden built in the early Edo era. It features a wide, open space in front of a corner of green. It is said to be designed by Kobori Enshu, who was an expert at weaving perspective into his stone arrangements.  Besides its renowned karesansui garden, the hojo is in fact surrounded by smaller gardens.
    nanzenji-hojo-9.jpg
  • Joshinji Zen Garden - The Hondo main hall at Joshin-ji Temple was built in 1759 and has a striking zen garden next to the hall, one of the very few dry karesansui gardens in Tokyo. Joshin-ji Temple, also known as Kuhonbutsu is a large Jodo sect Buddhist temple in Jiyugaoka Tokyo.  The temple was established in 1678 and still maintains its original buildings . The grounds contain some of Tokyo’s oldest trees a few more than 700 years old.  Jōshin-ji is the home of the three Buddha Halls in front of the main Hall, devoted to Amida Buddha.  Each of the tall statues shows a different hand position, also known as Mudra, which have a symbolic meaning in esoteric Buddhism.  These Buddha Statues were the craftwork of the great master Kaseki Shonin who devoted his life to create nine different manifestations of the Amida Buddha.  The Niohmon Gate was completed in 1793. It houses a pair of fierce guardian divinities. Joshinji Kuhon Butsu is not listed as a tourist attraction and maintains its serenity as a working Jodo Buddhist temple without charing admissions, fees nor restrictions on entering.
    joshinji-garden-12.jpg
  • Nanzenji Hojo Garden - Nanzenji Temple is one of the most important Zen temples in Japan and the head temple of one of the schools within the Rinzai sect of Japanese Zen Buddhism. The Hojo is the former head priest's residence and Nanzenji's main hall. The Hojo is most famous for its dry rock karesansui garden whose rocks are said to resemble tigers and cubs crossing through water. Hojo Garden is a typical rock and sand garden built in the early Edo era. It features a wide, open space in front of a corner of green. It is said to be designed by Kobori Enshu, who was an expert at weaving perspective into his stone arrangements.  Besides its renowned karesansui garden, the hojo is in fact surrounded by smaller gardens.
    nanzenji-hojo-4.jpg
  • Dry Stone Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The adjacent peony garden features large stones which were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government.  This peony garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.  The dry garden was created along Japanese lines similar to Zen karesansui gardens, although Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is a shinto shrine which honors various gods, and has little to do with Zen Buddhism.
    tsurugaoka-peony-8.jpg
  • Dry Stone Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The adjacent peony garden features large stones which were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government.  This peony garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.  The dry garden was created along Japanese lines similar to Zen karesansui gardens, although Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is a shinto shrine which honors various gods, and has little to do with Zen Buddhism.
    tsurugaoka-peony-1.jpg
  • Joshinji Zen Garden - The Hondo main hall at Joshin-ji Temple was built in 1759 and has a striking zen garden next to the hall, one of the very few dry karesansui gardens in Tokyo. Joshin-ji Temple, also known as Kuhonbutsu is a large Jodo sect Buddhist temple in Jiyugaoka Tokyo.  The temple was established in 1678 and still maintains its original buildings . The grounds contain some of Tokyo’s oldest trees a few more than 700 years old.  Jōshin-ji is the home of the three Buddha Halls in front of the main Hall, devoted to Amida Buddha.  Each of the tall statues shows a different hand position, also known as Mudra, which have a symbolic meaning in esoteric Buddhism.  These Buddha Statues were the craftwork of the great master Kaseki Shonin who devoted his life to create nine different manifestations of the Amida Buddha.  The Niohmon Gate was completed in 1793. It houses a pair of fierce guardian divinities. Joshinji Kuhon Butsu is not listed as a tourist attraction and maintains its serenity as a working Jodo Buddhist temple without charing admissions, fees nor restrictions on entering.
    daisuke-joshinji-4.jpg
  • Joshinji Zen Garden - The Hondo main hall at Joshin-ji Temple was built in 1759 and has a striking zen garden next to the hall, one of the very few dry karesansui gardens in Tokyo. Joshin-ji Temple, also known as Kuhonbutsu is a large Jodo sect Buddhist temple in Jiyugaoka Tokyo.  The temple was established in 1678 and still maintains its original buildings . The grounds contain some of Tokyo’s oldest trees a few more than 700 years old.  Jōshin-ji is the home of the three Buddha Halls in front of the main Hall, devoted to Amida Buddha.  Each of the tall statues shows a different hand position, also known as Mudra, which have a symbolic meaning in esoteric Buddhism.  These Buddha Statues were the craftwork of the great master Kaseki Shonin who devoted his life to create nine different manifestations of the Amida Buddha.  The Niohmon Gate was completed in 1793. It houses a pair of fierce guardian divinities. Joshinji Kuhon Butsu is not listed as a tourist attraction and maintains its serenity as a working Jodo Buddhist temple without charing admissions, fees nor restrictions on entering.
    daisuke-joshinji-1.jpg
  • Tenju-an is one of many sub temples at Nanzenji and was built in 1336 to commemorate the founding of Nanzenji in the previous century.  There are two gardens within the compound, though the more famous and impresive of the two is the zen rock garden or karesansui.
    tenju-an-garden-1.jpg
  • Ryogen-in, the head temple of the South School of Rinzai-shu Daitoku-ji sect, has a collection of zen gardens including Ryogin-tei a Karesansui or Zen garden laid out in the early 16th century.
    ryogen-in-2.jpg
  • Dry Stone Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The adjacent peony garden features large stones which were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government.  This peony garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.  The dry garden was created along Japanese lines similar to Zen karesansui gardens, although Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is a shinto shrine which honors various gods, and has little to do with Zen Buddhism.
    tsurugaoka-peony-6.jpg
  • Meigetsuin Zen Garden - The karesansui zen garden of raked sand, rocks and plants at Meigetsuin Temple Garden represents legendary Mount Shumi or Sumeru an imaginary mountain in the Buddhist universe. According to records Meigetsuin was originally merely the guest house of a much bigger temple called Zenko-ji which was closed by the government during the Meiji period and is all that remains of the formerly important temple.
    meigetsuin-kamakura-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-5.jpg
  • Jomyoji Zen Garden - Jomyoji, a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple in Kamakura, was founded by the influential Ashikaga clan.  Jomyo-ji’s main hall sits at the end of a garden and houses a statue of  Buddha. Jomyoji also has a restored tea house Kisen-an where visitors can enjoy the view of the zen karesansui garden.  For its role in Japanese history, Jomyo-ji is named a National Historical Site by the government of Japan.
    jomyoji-2.jpg
  • Shido-ji Temple Garden - Shidoji is the 86th temple in the Shikoku Pilgrimage Buddhist trail.  Its garden was originally created during the Muromachi period, the 15th century,  but was heavily damaged by an earthquake and left in ruins for many years.  The garden was commissioned by a local ruler of that time, and was designed to evoke ink wash paintings of Chinese landscapes depicting a river flowing through mountains. After being damaged it fell into disrepair and was neglected for many years. Mirei Shigemori resurrected it to its present state with a few modern twists.  Shigemori collaborated with Isamu Noguchi, the Japanese-American sculptor who had a studio on the east side of Takamatsu. In addition to resurrecting the ancient garden, Shigemori added one of his own in the karesansui or dry landscape style.
    shidoji-4.jpg
  • Gyokurinji is a Rinzai Buddhist temple that was founded in the  Muromachi period 1339. The garden was created in the second half of the Heisei period. Its dry stone karesansui garden was created in recent years, and was designed in three straight lines:  an abstract representation of a treasure boat heading to the shore anchored in the pool of night. The highlights are Hiyama and a stone bridge made of natural stone. The stone bridge at the intersection of two other stones, when viewed from a different angle, the balance is maintained by slightly cutting the stone. This makes it look like a stone bridge with an exquisite balance when viewed from the front. There is a second dry mountain garden behind the zen garden, covered and surrounded with cedar moss on a gentle slope.
    gyokurinji-itsukaiichi-3.jpg
  • Shido-ji Temple Garden - Shidoji is the 86th temple in the Shikoku Pilgrimage Buddhist trail.  Its garden was originally created during the Muromachi period, the 15th century,  but was heavily damaged by an earthquake and left in ruins for many years.  The garden was commissioned by a local ruler of that time, and was designed to evoke ink wash paintings of Chinese landscapes depicting a river flowing through mountains. After being damaged it fell into disrepair and was neglected for many years. Mirei Shigemori resurrected it to its present state with a few modern twists.  Shigemori collaborated with Isamu Noguchi, the Japanese-American sculptor who had a studio on the east side of Takamatsu. In addition to resurrecting the ancient garden, Shigemori added one of his own in the karesansui or dry landscape style.
    shidoji-8.jpg
  • Meigetsuin Zen Garden - The karesansui zen garden of raked sand, rocks and plants at Meigetsuin Temple Garden represents legendary Mount Shumi or Sumeru an imaginary mountain in the Buddhist universe. According to records Meigetsuin was originally merely the guest house of a much bigger temple called Zenko-ji which was closed by the government during the Meiji period and is all that remains of the formerly important temple.
    kamakura-meigetsuin-02.jpg
  • Jomyoji, a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple in Kamakura, was founded by the influential Ashikaga clan.  Jomyo-ji’s main hall sits at the end of a garden and houses a statue of  Buddha. Jomyoji also has a restored tea house Kisen-an where visitors can enjoy the view of the zen karesansui garden.  For its role in Japanese history, Jomyo-ji is named a National Historical Site by the government of Japan.
    jomyoji-8.jpg
  • Jotenji Moss Garden - Joten-ji is a Rinzai temple in Hakata, Fukuoka, its construction was completed in 1242.  The grounds of Jotenji feature a Zen garden. The founding priest of the temple, Enni Benen went to China where he studied Zen Buddhism and came back to Japan in 1241.  Besides the teachings of Buddhism, he brought back to Japan a variety of cultural features from China including production methods of noodles.  Jotenji Temple is special because of its striking temple gate and and stone garden.   The gate has become the new symbol of Hakata.  The cry Zen karesansui garden was modeled from Kenninji Kyoto.
    Joten-ji-garden-5.jpg
  • Jotenji Zen Garden - Joten-ji is a Rinzai temple in Hakata, Fukuoka, its construction was completed in 1242.  The grounds of Jotenji feature a Zen garden. The founding priest of the temple, Enni Benen went to China where he studied Zen Buddhism and came back to Japan in 1241.  Besides the teachings of Buddhism, he brought back to Japan a variety of cultural features from China including production methods of noodles.  Jotenji Temple is special because of its striking temple gate and and stone garden.   The gate has become the new symbol of Hakata.  The cry Zen karesansui garden was modeled from Kenninji Kyoto.
    Joten-ji-garden-3.jpg
  • A wealthy landowner, Genji Tanaka donated the space for Edogawa Gyosen Garden to the city of Tokyo City, Edogawa ward in 1950.  They created Gyosen Park as we see it today. Its Heisei Garden was created in 1989, with a pond side tea house Genshinan which can be rented out for tea ceremony and special occasions. A stone pathway encircles the pond in the Heisei Garden, passing among craggy rocks that one has to climb over.  In flatter terrain, behind Genshinan Teahouse, there is a fine large dry karesansui garden, rarely visited by park goers.
    heisei-gyosen-edogawa-5.jpg
  • Shido-ji Temple Garden - Shidoji is the 86th temple in the Shikoku Pilgrimage Buddhist trail.  Its garden was originally created during the Muromachi period, the 15th century,  but was heavily damaged by an earthquake and left in ruins for many years.  The garden was commissioned by a local ruler of that time, and was designed to evoke ink wash paintings of Chinese landscapes depicting a river flowing through mountains. After being damaged it fell into disrepair and was neglected for many years. Mirei Shigemori resurrected it to its present state with a few modern twists.  Shigemori collaborated with Isamu Noguchi, the Japanese-American sculptor who had a studio on the east side of Takamatsu. In addition to resurrecting the ancient garden, Shigemori added one of his own in the karesansui or dry landscape style.
    shidoji-5.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
  • 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-6.jpg
  • Jotenji Moss Garden - Joten-ji is a Rinzai temple in Hakata, Fukuoka, its construction was completed in 1242.  The grounds of Jotenji feature a Zen garden. The founding priest of the temple, Enni Benen went to China where he studied Zen Buddhism and came back to Japan in 1241.  Besides the teachings of Buddhism, he brought back to Japan a variety of cultural features from China including production methods of noodles.  Jotenji Temple is special because of its striking temple gate and and stone garden.   The gate has become the new symbol of Hakata.  The cry Zen karesansui garden was modeled from Kenninji Kyoto.
    Joten-ji-garden-6.jpg
  • A wealthy landowner, Genji Tanaka donated the space for Edogawa Gyosen Garden to the city of Tokyo City, Edogawa ward in 1950.  They created Gyosen Park as we see it today. Its Heisei Garden was created in 1989, with a pond side tea house Genshinan which can be rented out for tea ceremony and special occasions. A stone pathway encircles the pond in the Heisei Garden, passing among craggy rocks that one has to climb over.  In flatter terrain, behind Genshinan Teahouse, there is a fine large dry karesansui garden, rarely visited by park goers.
    heisei-gyosen-edogawa-7.jpg
  • Jotenji Zen Garden - Joten-ji is a Rinzai temple in Hakata, Fukuoka, its construction was completed in 1242.  The grounds of Jotenji feature a Zen garden. The founding priest of the temple, Enni Benen went to China where he studied Zen Buddhism and came back to Japan in 1241.  Besides the teachings of Buddhism, he brought back to Japan a variety of cultural features from China including production methods of noodles.  Jotenji Temple is special because of its striking temple gate and and stone garden.   The gate has become the new symbol of Hakata.  The cry Zen karesansui garden was modeled from Kenninji Kyoto.
    Joten-ji-garden-7.jpg
  • Toji-in was founded in 1338 by Lord Ashikaga as a family temple, under supervision of priest Soseki Muso who was then one of the most famous landscape gardeners.  The garden of Toji-in is one of the few surviving gardens designed by Soseki.  The main garden is divided in two parts. The western one, called the "lotus pond" near the temple buildings and composed around a pond. Above the pond garden is Seiren-tei teahouse. The eastern garden is made up of moss and maple trees, and is at its best in autumn. South of the main hall is the dry landscape karesansui zen garden.
    toji-in-14.jpg
  • Shoden-ji main attraction of the temple is a Karesansui garden, ideally to be viewed from the deck of the temple’s Hojo.  The garden is said to have been laid out by Kobori Enshu. In 1935 Shigemori Mirei had to restore it.  Its unique dry garden makes use of "borrowed scenery" in which the distant Mt. Hiei serves as one of the garden's main elements.
    shodenji-3.jpg
  • Shido-ji Temple Garden - Shidoji is the 86th temple in the Shikoku Pilgrimage Buddhist trail.  Its garden was originally created during the Muromachi period, the 15th century,  but was heavily damaged by an earthquake and left in ruins for many years.  The garden was commissioned by a local ruler of that time, and was designed to evoke ink wash paintings of Chinese landscapes depicting a river flowing through mountains. After being damaged it fell into disrepair and was neglected for many years. Mirei Shigemori resurrected it to its present state with a few modern twists.  Shigemori collaborated with Isamu Noguchi, the Japanese-American sculptor who had a studio on the east side of Takamatsu. In addition to resurrecting the ancient garden, Shigemori added one of his own in the karesansui or dry landscape style.
    shidoji-2.jpg
  • Meigetsuin Zen Garden - The karesansui zen garden of raked sand, rocks and plants at Meigetsuin Temple Garden represents legendary Mount Shumi or Sumeru an imaginary mountain in the Buddhist universe. According to records Meigetsuin was originally merely the guest house of a much bigger temple called Zenko-ji which was closed by the government during the Meiji period and is all that remains of the formerly important temple.
    meigetsuin-kamakura-2.jpg
  • Genshinan Teahouse at Edpogawa Gyosen Gardem - A wealthy landowner, Genji Tanaka donated the space for Edogawa Gyosen Garden to the city of Tokyo City, Edogawa ward in 1950.  They created Gyosen Park as we see it today. Its Heisei Garden was created in 1989, with a pond side tea house Genshinan which can be rented out for tea ceremony and special occasions. A stone pathway encircles the pond in the Heisei Garden, passing among craggy rocks that one has to climb over.  In flatter terrain, behind Genshinan Teahouse, there is a fine large dry karesansui garden, rarely visited by park goers.
    heisei-gyosen-edogawa-6.jpg
  • Honryu Garden at Enkoji - founded by zen priest Genkitsu in 1601.  The temple has long been known as a center of Japan's intellectual activity and publishing and has edited many classic books, as well as some 50,000 wooden printing types used for publications are conserved in the temple.  Today the temple is a place of Zen training, holding regular zazen sessions.  Enkoji is most famous for its beautiful Jyu Gyu No Niwa garden containing many maple trees, especially in autumn during leaf viewing season.   At the entrance to the temple is a karesansui dry stone and sand garden. In this zen garden, stones representing oxen are placed in harmony with crape myrtle, azaleas and peonies.
    enkoji-8.jpg
  • Chion-in Yuzen-en Garden is named after Miyazaki Yuzen the founder of Yuzen style of dyeing silk and fabric.  Two types of garden are found at Yuzen-en garden:  dry karesansui and strolling garden merged into one with two teahouses perched above the gardens.
    chion-in-8.jpg
  • Shogo-in Garden - Shogo-in Monzeki - After repeated relocations due to fires such as the Onin War in the Muromachi periodthe temple moved to its current location in the early Edo period.The temple and its gardens are only open a few weeks per year usually in autumn, and besides its large dry karesansui garden, there are moss gardens behind the main hall.This is the head temple of the Honzan sect of the Shugendo religion which was founded by the ascetic and mystic En-no-Gyoja. Shogo-in Monzeki Temple is also known for the fact that it served as the Monzeki Temple for generations of the imperial family and imperial court. The temple also once served as the temporary living quarters for Emperor Kokaku when the imperial palace was damaged by a fire. Monzeki temples were where the royal family serve as the head priest. Shogo-in Monzeki has another side; a more beautiful side. The temple hall, known as the shinden, houses over 100 sliding doors beautifully painted by Edo Period painter Masunobu Kano, and Kano Eino, the third heir to the Kyogano Kyoto school of Kano painting. Shugendo is an ancient Japanese religion based on mountain religions and seeks to attain Buddhist enlightenment through grueling mountainous training
    shogo-in-garden-01.jpg
  • Shido-ji Temple Garden - Shidoji is the 86th temple in the Shikoku Pilgrimage Buddhist trail.  Its garden was originally created during the Muromachi period, the 15th century,  but was heavily damaged by an earthquake and left in ruins for many years.  The garden was commissioned by a local ruler of that time, and was designed to evoke ink wash paintings of Chinese landscapes depicting a river flowing through mountains. After being damaged it fell into disrepair and was neglected for many years. Mirei Shigemori resurrected it to its present state with a few modern twists.  Shigemori collaborated with Isamu Noguchi, the Japanese-American sculptor who had a studio on the east side of Takamatsu. In addition to resurrecting the ancient garden, Shigemori added one of his own in the karesansui or dry landscape style.
    shidoji-8.jpg
  • Shido-ji Temple Garden - Shidoji is the 86th temple in the Shikoku Pilgrimage Buddhist trail.  Its garden was originally created during the Muromachi period, the 15th century,  but was heavily damaged by an earthquake and left in ruins for many years.  The garden was commissioned by a local ruler of that time, and was designed to evoke ink wash paintings of Chinese landscapes depicting a river flowing through mountains. After being damaged it fell into disrepair and was neglected for many years. Mirei Shigemori resurrected it to its present state with a few modern twists.  Shigemori collaborated with Isamu Noguchi, the Japanese-American sculptor who had a studio on the east side of Takamatsu. In addition to resurrecting the ancient garden, Shigemori added one of his own in the karesansui or dry landscape style.
    shidoji-6.jpg
  • Gyokurinji is a Rinzai Buddhist temple that was founded in the  Muromachi period 1339. The garden was created in the second half of the Heisei period. Its dry stone karesansui garden was created in recent years, and was designed in three straight lines:  an abstract representation of a treasure boat heading to the shore anchored in the pool of night. The highlights are Hiyama and a stone bridge made of natural stone. The stone bridge at the intersection of two other stones, when viewed from a different angle, the balance is maintained by slightly cutting the stone. This makes it look like a stone bridge with an exquisite balance when viewed from the front. There is a second dry mountain garden behind the zen garden, covered and surrounded with cedar moss on a gentle slope.
    gyokurinji-itsukaiichi-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-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-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-10.jpg
  • Shido-ji Temple Garden - Shidoji is the 86th temple in the Shikoku Pilgrimage Buddhist trail.  Its garden was originally created during the Muromachi period, the 15th century,  but was heavily damaged by an earthquake and left in ruins for many years.  The garden was commissioned by a local ruler of that time, and was designed to evoke ink wash paintings of Chinese landscapes depicting a river flowing through mountains. After being damaged it fell into disrepair and was neglected for many years. Mirei Shigemori resurrected it to its present state with a few modern twists.  Shigemori collaborated with Isamu Noguchi, the Japanese-American sculptor who had a studio on the east side of Takamatsu. In addition to resurrecting the ancient garden, Shigemori added one of his own in the karesansui or dry landscape style.
    shidoji-18.jpg
  • Shido-ji Temple Garden - Shidoji is the 86th temple in the Shikoku Pilgrimage Buddhist trail.  Its garden was originally created during the Muromachi period, the 15th century,  but was heavily damaged by an earthquake and left in ruins for many years.  The garden was commissioned by a local ruler of that time, and was designed to evoke ink wash paintings of Chinese landscapes depicting a river flowing through mountains. After being damaged it fell into disrepair and was neglected for many years. Mirei Shigemori resurrected it to its present state with a few modern twists.  Shigemori collaborated with Isamu Noguchi, the Japanese-American sculptor who had a studio on the east side of Takamatsu. In addition to resurrecting the ancient garden, Shigemori added one of his own in the karesansui or dry landscape style.
    shidoji-2.jpg
  • Shido-ji Temple Garden - Shidoji is the 86th temple in the Shikoku Pilgrimage Buddhist trail.  Its garden was originally created during the Muromachi period, the 15th century,  but was heavily damaged by an earthquake and left in ruins for many years.  The garden was commissioned by a local ruler of that time, and was designed to evoke ink wash paintings of Chinese landscapes depicting a river flowing through mountains. After being damaged it fell into disrepair and was neglected for many years. Mirei Shigemori resurrected it to its present state with a few modern twists.  Shigemori collaborated with Isamu Noguchi, the Japanese-American sculptor who had a studio on the east side of Takamatsu. In addition to resurrecting the ancient garden, Shigemori added one of his own in the karesansui or dry landscape style.
    shidoji-1.jpg
  • Meigetsuin Zen Garden - The karesansui zen garden of raked sand, rocks and plants at Meigetsuin Temple Garden represents legendary Mount Shumi or Sumeru an imaginary mountain in the Buddhist universe. According to records Meigetsuin was originally merely the guest house of a much bigger temple called Zenko-ji which was closed by the government during the Meiji period and is all that remains of the formerly important temple.
    kamakura-meigetsuin-03.jpg
  • Jomyoji, a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple in Kamakura, was founded by the influential Ashikaga clan.  Jomyo-ji’s main hall sits at the end of a garden and houses a statue of  Buddha. Jomyoji also has a restored tea house Kisen-an where visitors can enjoy the view of the zen karesansui garden.  For its role in Japanese history, Jomyo-ji is named a National Historical Site by the government of Japan.
    jomyoji-7.jpg
  • A wealthy landowner, Genji Tanaka donated the space for Edogawa Gyosen Garden to the city of Tokyo City, Edogawa ward in 1950.  They created Gyosen Park as we see it today. Its Heisei Garden was created in 1989, with a pond side tea house Genshinan which can be rented out for tea ceremony and special occasions. A stone pathway encircles the pond in the Heisei Garden, passing among craggy rocks that one has to climb over.  In flatter terrain, behind Genshinan Teahouse, there is a fine large dry karesansui garden, rarely visited by park goers.
    heisei-gyosen-edogawa-15.jpg
  • Honryu Garden at Enkoji - founded by zen priest Genkitsu in 1601.  The temple has long been known as a center of Japan's intellectual activity and publishing and has edited many classic books, as well as some 50,000 wooden printing types used for publications are conserved in the temple.  Today the temple is a place of Zen training, holding regular zazen sessions.  Enkoji is most famous for its beautiful Jyu Gyu No Niwa garden containing many maple trees, especially in autumn during leaf viewing season.   At the entrance to the temple is a karesansui dry stone and sand garden. In this zen garden, stones representing oxen are placed in harmony with crape myrtle, azaleas and peonies.
    enkoji-11.jpg
  • Honryu Garden at Enkoji - founded by zen priest Genkitsu in 1601.  The temple has long been known as a center of Japan's intellectual activity and publishing and has edited many classic books, as well as some 50,000 wooden printing types used for publications are conserved in the temple.  Today the temple is a place of Zen training, holding regular zazen sessions.  Enkoji is most famous for its beautiful Jyu Gyu No Niwa garden containing many maple trees, especially in autumn during leaf viewing season.   At the entrance to the temple is a karesansui dry stone and sand garden. In this zen garden, stones representing oxen are placed in harmony with crape myrtle, azaleas and peonies.
    enkoji-9.jpg
  • Kisen-an tea house at Jomyoji Temple Garden was rebuilt in 1991 by a Kyoto gardener. The original Kisen-an was built around 1580 by the temples' priests to hold tea ceremonies. Visitors, not only monks, can enjoy matcha tea, that is powdered green tea service. The sand and rock garden is called Karesansui.  Occasionally, tradtiional Japanese tea ceremony is performed here.
    jomyoji-03.jpg
  • Nanzen-ji is a the headquarters of the Nanzen-ji branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism.  The compounds of Nanzen-ji are nationally designated Historic Sites and the Hojo gardens a Place of Scenic Beauty and also a National Treasure of Japan.  Hojo-teien karesansui garden is said to have been laid out by Kobori Enshu.  The designer of Ko-Hojo garden also called Nyoshin-tei with sharp stones protruding from the sands is unknown, though also possibly Kobori Enshu as well.
    nanzenji-5.jpg
  • Shoden-ji main attraction of the temple is a Karesansui garden, ideally to be viewed from the deck of the temple’s Hojo.  The garden is said to have been laid out by Kobori Enshu. In 1935 Shigemori Mirei had to restore it.  Its unique dry garden makes use of "borrowed scenery" in which the distant Mt. Hiei serves as one of the garden's main elements.
    shodenji-1.jpg
  • Shido-ji Temple Garden - Shidoji is the 86th temple in the Shikoku Pilgrimage Buddhist trail.  Its garden was originally created during the Muromachi period, the 15th century,  but was heavily damaged by an earthquake and left in ruins for many years.  The garden was commissioned by a local ruler of that time, and was designed to evoke ink wash paintings of Chinese landscapes depicting a river flowing through mountains. After being damaged it fell into disrepair and was neglected for many years. Mirei Shigemori resurrected it to its present state with a few modern twists.  Shigemori collaborated with Isamu Noguchi, the Japanese-American sculptor who had a studio on the east side of Takamatsu. In addition to resurrecting the ancient garden, Shigemori added one of his own in the karesansui or dry landscape style.
    shidoji-17.jpg
  • Shido-ji Temple Garden - Shidoji is the 86th temple in the Shikoku Pilgrimage Buddhist trail.  Its garden was originally created during the Muromachi period, the 15th century,  but was heavily damaged by an earthquake and left in ruins for many years.  The garden was commissioned by a local ruler of that time, and was designed to evoke ink wash paintings of Chinese landscapes depicting a river flowing through mountains. After being damaged it fell into disrepair and was neglected for many years. Mirei Shigemori resurrected it to its present state with a few modern twists.  Shigemori collaborated with Isamu Noguchi, the Japanese-American sculptor who had a studio on the east side of Takamatsu. In addition to resurrecting the ancient garden, Shigemori added one of his own in the karesansui or dry landscape style.
    shidoji-1.jpg
  • Gyokurinji is a Rinzai Buddhist temple that was founded in the  Muromachi period 1339. The garden was created in the second half of the Heisei period. Its dry stone karesansui garden was created in recent years, and was designed in three straight lines:  an abstract representation of a treasure boat heading to the shore anchored in the pool of night. The highlights are Hiyama and a stone bridge made of natural stone. The stone bridge at the intersection of two other stones, when viewed from a different angle, the balance is maintained by slightly cutting the stone. This makes it look like a stone bridge with an exquisite balance when viewed from the front. There is a second dry mountain garden behind the zen garden, covered and surrounded with cedar moss on a gentle slope.
    gyokurinji-itsukaiichi-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 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.
    Ryuunji-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-8.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-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-2.jpg
  • Shido-ji Temple Garden - Shidoji is the 86th temple in the Shikoku Pilgrimage Buddhist trail.  Its garden was originally created during the Muromachi period, the 15th century,  but was heavily damaged by an earthquake and left in ruins for many years.  The garden was commissioned by a local ruler of that time, and was designed to evoke ink wash paintings of Chinese landscapes depicting a river flowing through mountains. After being damaged it fell into disrepair and was neglected for many years. Mirei Shigemori resurrected it to its present state with a few modern twists.  Shigemori collaborated with Isamu Noguchi, the Japanese-American sculptor who had a studio on the east side of Takamatsu. In addition to resurrecting the ancient garden, Shigemori added one of his own in the karesansui or dry landscape style.
    shidoji-9.jpg
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