Asia Images / John Lander Photography

  • Portfolio
  • About
  • Contact
  • Archive
    • All Galleries
    • Search
    • Cart
    • Lightbox
    • Client Area
  • Books
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
x

Search Results

Refine Search
Match all words
Match any word
Prints
Personal Use
Royalty-Free
Rights-Managed
(leave unchecked to
search all images)
Next
702 images found
twitterlinkedinfacebook

Loading ()...

  • The Moss Garden at Saihoji Temple is one of the few temples in Kyoto where visitors must request an invitation in advance before their visit. Visitors are required to participate in chanting and writing wishes before visiting the famous gardens. In this way the monks are able to maintain the temple and garden and prevent mass tourism from destroying the tranquility of the moss garden.
    AMBER-2022-17.jpg
  • The Moss Garden at Saihoji Temple is one of the few temples in Kyoto where visitors must request an invitation in advance before their visit. Visitors are required to participate in chanting and writing wishes before visiting the famous gardens. In this way the monks are able to maintain the temple and garden and prevent mass tourism from destroying the tranquility of the moss garden.
    AMBER-2021-EXTRA-101.jpg
  • The Moss Garden at Saihoji Temple is one of the few temples in Kyoto where visitors must request an invitation in advance before their visit. Visitors are required to participate in chanting and writing wishes before visiting the famous gardens. In this way the monks are able to maintain the temple and garden and prevent mass tourism from destroying the tranquility of the moss garden.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-82.jpg
  • 78.5 Engakuji 円覚寺 is the main temple of the Engakuji sect of the Rinzai Buddhist sect. Engakuji is one of the leading Zen temples in eastern Japan and ranks second among Kamakura's five great Zen temples. Its unique garden was restored in 1969 according to an old drawing. Zen Buddhism regarded gardens as microcosms of the natural landscape and this is a fine example.
    78.5.TENTATIVE-KAMAKURA-ENGAKUJI-02.jpg
  • 23. Daigo-ji 醍醐寺 Within its grounds, Daigo-ji houses eighteen of Japan’s National Treasures. Among them are buildings belonging to Sanbo-in famous for the quality of its Japanese garden.  The garden was laid out with a large pond, paths and bridges and said to contain over 700 stones.  Sanbo-in was designed for viewing from a specific perspective within the temple’s buildings. Laid out in the Momoyama period, the garden’s islands depict ‘fortuitous crane’, the ‘tortoise’ and the ‘"isle of eternal youth’ - poetic terms that show stones and ponds can be poised in a prescribed, esoteric relationship.
    23.KYOTO-DAIGOJI-02.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 Trail within this magnificent landscape garden in Takamatsu.  It is  thought to be one of the finest gardens in Japan.  The garden boasts many features such as trails, teahouses, ponds, hills and pavilions set by Mt. Shiun providing a kind of borrowed scenery.
    ritsurin-garden-09.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-18.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
  • 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
  • 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-01.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-07.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
  • 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-13.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
  • Ritsurin Pond Garden - a landscape garden in Takamatsu was built by  feudal lords during the Edo Period.  Ritsurin is considered to be one of the finest gardens in Japan, and features many pavilions, ponds, bridges and hills set beside wooded Mt. Shiun which serves as a background and serves as an example of borrowed scenery and Japanese gardening design.
    ritsurin-garden-17.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
  • 30. Rinnoji 輪王寺 - Rinnoji Temple was founded in 766 AD by the Buddhist hermit monk Shodo Shonin.  Rinnoji quickly became a popular retreat for ascetic monks who wished to meditate in the mountains.  It was once so important that it had 500 sub-temples under its rule.  Rinnoji is best known for its Sanbutsudoh Three Buddha Hall and the beautiful Japanese meditation garden Shoyo-en on its grounds.  The layout at Shoyo-en is modeled after Lake Biwa, showing the Japanese knack for representation through reduction and miniaturization.
    31.1.NIKKO-RINNOJI-SHOYOEN.jpg
  • Rinnoji Temple's Shoyo-en Garden in Nikko. The garden was made in the early Edo period originally but revised in the beginning of the 19th century. A Confucian scholar, Issai Sato gave the garden its name. The temple's main building, which enshrines successive members of the Imperial family.
    shoyo-en-13.jpg
  • Rinnoji Temple's Shoyo-en Garden in Nikko. The garden was made in the early Edo period originally but revised in the beginning of the 19th century. A Confucian scholar, Issai Sato gave the garden its name. The temple's main building, which enshrines successive members of the Imperial family.
    shoyo-en-12.jpg
  • Rinnoji Temple's Shoyo-en Garden in Nikko. The garden was made in the early Edo period originally but revised in the beginning of the 19th century. A Confucian scholar, Issai Sato gave the garden its name. The temple's main building, which enshrines successive members of the Imperial family.
    shoyo-en-6.jpg
  • Rinnoji Temple's Shoyo-en Garden in Nikko. The garden was made in the early Edo period originally but revised in the beginning of the 19th century. A Confucian scholar, Issai Sato gave the garden its name. The temple's main building, which enshrines successive members of the Imperial family.
    shoyo-en-4.jpg
  • Rinnoji Temple's Shoyo-en Garden in Nikko. The garden was made in the early Edo period originally but revised in the beginning of the 19th century. A Confucian scholar, Issai Sato gave the garden its name. The temple's main building, which enshrines successive members of the Imperial family.
    shoyo-en-14.jpg
  • Rinnoji Temple's Shoyo-en Garden in Nikko. The garden was made in the early Edo period originally but revised in the beginning of the 19th century. A Confucian scholar, Issai Sato gave the garden its name. The temple's main building, which enshrines successive members of the Imperial family.
    shoyo-en-8.jpg
  • Rinnoji Temple's Shoyo-en Garden in Nikko. The garden was made in the early Edo period originally but revised in the beginning of the 19th century. A Confucian scholar, Issai Sato gave the garden its name. The temple's main building, which enshrines successive members of the Imperial family.
    shoyo-en-7.jpg
  • Rinnoji Temple's Shoyo-en Garden in Nikko. The garden was made in the early Edo period originally but revised in the beginning of the 19th century. A Confucian scholar, Issai Sato gave the garden its name. The temple's main building, which enshrines successive members of the Imperial family.
    shoyo-en-5.jpg
  • Rinnoji Temple's Shoyo-en Garden in Nikko. The garden was made in the early Edo period originally but revised in the beginning of the 19th century. A Confucian scholar, Issai Sato gave the garden its name. The temple's main building, which enshrines successive members of the Imperial family.
    shoyo-en-3.jpg
  • Rinnoji Temple's Shoyo-en Garden in Nikko. The garden was made in the early Edo period originally but revised in the beginning of the 19th century. A Confucian scholar, Issai Sato gave the garden its name. The temple's main building, which enshrines successive members of the Imperial family.
    shoyo-en-16.jpg
  • Rinnoji Temple's Shoyo-en Garden in Nikko. The garden was made in the early Edo period originally but revised in the beginning of the 19th century. A Confucian scholar, Issai Sato gave the garden its name. The temple's main building, which enshrines successive members of the Imperial family.
    shoyo-en-11.jpg
  • The Adachi Museum of Art was based on the private collection of Zenko Adachi.  Adachi collected Japanese paintings, ceramics and scrolls.  Adachi himself was an aficionado of Japanese gardens and collected each pine tree and each stone for the garden himself from around Japan.   In this way he created a beautiful garden filled with his own vision and passion.  Adachi believed that Japanese gardens were "as beautiful as pictures” and even framed one of the gardens in one of the museums rooms as if it is a painting itself. Adachi Museum Garden has been selected as the best garden in Japan year after year since 2003, by the Journal of Japanese Gardens Shisai Project.
    adachi-garden-12.jpg
  • The Adachi Museum of Art was based on the private collection of Zenko Adachi.  Adachi collected Japanese paintings, ceramics and scrolls.  Adachi himself was an aficionado of Japanese gardens and collected each pine tree and each stone for the garden himself from around Japan.   In this way he created a beautiful garden filled with his own vision and passion.  Adachi believed that Japanese gardens were "as beautiful as pictures” and even framed one of the gardens in one of the museums rooms as if it is a painting itself. Adachi Museum Garden has been selected as the best garden in Japan year after year since 2003, by the Journal of Japanese Gardens Shisai Project.
    adachi-garden-07.jpg
  • 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-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-11.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-09.jpg
  • The Adachi Museum of Art is made up of the private collection of Zenko Adach who collected Japanese paintings, ceramics and scrolls.  He was an aficionado of Japanese gardens and collected each pine tree and  stone for the garden himself from all around Japan.  In this way he created a beautiful garden filled with his own vision. 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 Shoisai Project.
    adachi-garden-06.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
  • 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-13.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-10.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-05.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
  • 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-02.jpg
  • 78.3 Kenchojji 建長寺 is the oldest Zen monastery in Japan, built in the Kamakura period in 1273.  The layout of the temple follows the Chinese Xian tradition with all the buildings arranged on an axis. It is known for its architecture especially its golden gates.  Also, there is an austere pond garden - one of the few Japanese gardens in Kamakura. Kenchoji is one of the Five Great Zen Temples of Kamakura.  Although still important and occupying a large amount of space, in its heyday it once contained 49 sub-temples. During the Kamakura Period, scholars from the Five Great Zen Temples exercised enormous power in Japan.
    78.3.TENTATIVE--KAMAKURA.KENCHOJI.02.jpg
  • Hase-dera Temple in Kamakura is officially named Kaiko-zan Jisho-in Hase-dera but commonly called Hase Kannon.  Hase-Dera has landscaped Japanese gardens, a giant prayer wheel, jizo caves, a bamboo grove, and a vegetarian restaurant up the hill with a birds-eye view of Kamakura and the Shonan Coast. Hase-dera is famous for its massive wooden statue of Kannon - a treasure of Japan.  Originally belonging to the Tendai sect of Buddhism, Hase-dera became an independent temple of the Jodo sect of Zen Buddhism.
    kamakura-hase-dera-03.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
  • 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-1.jpg
  • Komyoji is a popular temple with locals in the Kamakura area for its abundant cherry blossoms in spring, frequent weekend flea markets, and free parking near the beach. Komyoji Garden has a rare example of a dry garden, sometimes called a Zen garden, as this temple is not of the Zen sect of Buddhism.  In addition to the temple's zen dry karesansui garden, on the north side of the temple is the pond garden, which comes to life in spring with sakura cherry trees.
    kamakura-komyoji-03.jpg
  • Hokokuji Zen Garden -  Hokoku-ji  is famous for its bamboo garden Its nickname is Take-dera "Bamboo Temple" for that reason.  Besides the popular bamboo garden, and teahouse, Hokokuji also has a often overlooked Zen garden   Ashikaga Ietoki, ordered Zen priest Tengan Eko to establish Hokoku-ji. This temple became the family temple of the Ashikaga clan. Tengan was a disciple of Mugaku Sogen a contemporary of famous garden designer Muso Kokushi.
    hokokuji-zen-2.jpg
  • Shomyoji Pond Garden - Shomyoji was built by Sanetoki Hojo during the Kamakura period, and was made the Hojo family temple of the Kanazawa area. The Jodo style garden with Ajiike Pond in front of the main temple is its most unique feature when considering the arched bridge. The temple's bell was portrayed in the woodblock print "Shomyo-no-Bansho," one of eight prints depicting views of Kanazawa by Hiroshige Utagawa.
    shomyoji-pond-garden-1.jpg
  • Byodo-in is a Buddhist temple in the city of Uji Kyoto prefecture, a National Treasure and a World Heritage Site.  Its outline is featured on the •10 coin. Built in 998 AD during the Heian period, Byodo-in was originally a private residence like many Japanese temples.  It was converted into a temple by the Fujiwara clan in 1052. The Phoenix Hall, the great statue of Amida inside it, and several other items at Byodoin are Japanese National Treasures. UNESCO listed the garden and building as a World Heritage Site in 1994.
    byodo-in-amber.jpg
  • Shinjuku Gyoen Garden 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.  Shinjuku Gyoen Garden was designated a national garden after WWII.  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 Japanese gardens of the Meiji era.
    shinjuku-gyoen-13.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.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-153.jpg
  • Kyu Furukawa Garden was originally the domain of a Meiji Period notable Mutsu Munemitsu. but later became the property of the Furukawa family.  Ogawa Jihei  sometimes known as Niwashi Ueji designed the garden renowned for its beauty. The Furukawa garden is regarded as an example of gardens of the Taisho Period of Japan.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-44.jpg
  • Tenryuji Sogenchi Pond Garden - 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-9-crop.jpg
  • Shinchi Teien or Sacred Pond Garden was established during the early Meiji period.  Left dormant for many years, it was restored in 1999.  The centerpiece is a serene pond with strolling paths around it.  This secret garden is located adjacent to controversial Yasukuni Shrine.
    September-10.jpg
  • Yamanashi Prefecture is famous for its rock crystals and many world-class lapidary experts.  It should not be surprising, therefore, that a rock garden, for which the Japanese are famous, should be born.  The main difference here is that the stones are not austere white pebbles, but multicolored ones from local crystals.  The Jewel Dream Garden is large, and run by a local jewelry company that sponsors it and the adjacent Jewelry Museum.
    shingen-jewel-garden-5.jpg
  • Yamanashi Prefecture is famous for its rock crystals and many world-class lapidary experts.  It should not be surprising, therefore, that a rock garden, for which the Japanese are famous, should be born.  The main difference here is that the stones are not austere white pebbles, but multicolored ones from local crystals.  The Jewel Dream Garden is large, and run by a local jewelry company that sponsors it and the adjacent Jewelry Museum.
    shingen-jewel-garden-2.jpg
  • Erin-ji Garden - Erin-ji is a Zen temple set in the mountains of Yamanashi Prefecture built in 1330. Zen priest and garden designer Muso Soseki was asked to establish and design the temple and its garden. It is now a temple of the Myoshin-ji branch of the Rinzai Zen Buddhism.  The temple's pond garden is best viewed from either the temple's tatami rooms or connecting hallways.
    erin-ji-garden-2.jpg
  • Kyu Furukawa Garden was originally the domain of Mutsu Munemitsu. but later became the property of the Furukawa family.  Ogawa Jihei designed the garden renowned for its beauty. The Furukawa garden is regarded as an example of Japanese gardens of the Taisho Period.
    kyu-furukawa-12.jpg
  • Shinchi Teien or Sacred Pond Garden was established during the early Meiji period.  Left dormant for many years, it was restored in 1999.  The centerpiece is a serene pond with strolling paths around it.  This secret garden is located adjacent to controversial Yasukuni Shrine.
    shinchi-teien-8.jpg
  • Kozenji Garden Tottori - while many temples around Japan share the name Kozenji, the Tottori Kozenji features a small landscape garden using "borrowed scenery" - that is hills and forest behind the garden incorporated into the garden's tableaux.
    Kozenji-Tottori-1.jpg
  • Kannon-in Garden was built in the mid 17th century and artfully incorporates the forest behind the pond as its natural background.  This style is called Shakkei "borrowed scenery”.  Kannon-in Garden was designated as a national scenic spot by the Japanese government.
    kannon-in-5.jpg
  • Jinpukaku Garden is adjact to the Jimpukaku Mansion in Tottori.  The grounds are just below the ruins of  Tottori Castle - long under the control of the Ikeda clan.  The garden is also referred to as Horyuin or Horyu-in.
    jinpukaku-garden-4.jpg
  • Kannon-in Garden was built in the mid 17th century and artfully incorporates the forest behind the pond as its natural background.  This style is called Shakkei "borrowed scenery”.  Kannon-in Garden was designated as a national scenic spot by the Japanese government.
    kannon-in-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-3.jpg
  • Yuushien garden is found on Daikonshima Island and was designed as a strolling garden with ponds, streams, trails and waterfalls. The garden is resplendent year round with a variety of seasonal blooms and is famous for peonies. In the 1950's, sericultural industry was in decline on the small island of Daikonshima, and women on the island had to travel all around Japan selling peony seedlings to make a living. A local man, Mr Sakai Kadowaki opened the garden at Daikonshima so that people would visit the island and the free the locals from constant travel around Japan. The garden named after Kadowaki’s father.
    yuushien-13.jpg
  • There are 540 of these statues representing disciples of Buddha at Kitain Temple in Kawagoe. They were sculpted between 1782 and 1825.  No two rakan statues are alike.  This assemblage on the temple grounds is known as Go Kyuaku Rakan, or "500 Rakan" although there are actually 540.
    kitain-rakan-5.jpg
  • There are 540 of these statues representing disciples of Buddha at Kitain Temple in Kawagoe. They were sculpted between 1782 and 1825.  No two rakan statues are alike.  This assemblage on the temple grounds is known as Go Kyuaku Rakan, or "500 Rakan" although there are actually 540.
    kitain-rakan-3.jpg
  • Kitain Garden is meant to be viewed only from the temple building itself.  The garden is planted with plum, cherry, and maple trees and a variety of flowers.  In this way, the garden can be enjoyed in many different seasons of Japan.  In visiting Kitain Temple, the garden is often overlooked because of poor signage, but it is the furthermost temple room in back, so visitors should persist as it is the highlight of the temple, apart from the 500 rakan.
    kitain-garden-07.jpg
  • Kitain Garden is meant to be viewed only from the temple building itself.  The garden is planted with plum, cherry, and maple trees and a variety of flowers.  In this way, the garden can be enjoyed in many different seasons of Japan.  In visiting Kitain Temple, the garden is often overlooked because of poor signage, but it is the furthermost temple room in back, so visitors should persist as it is the highlight of the temple, apart from the 500 rakan.
    kitain-garden-05.jpg
  • Kitain Garden is meant to be viewed only from the temple building itself.  The garden is planted with plum, cherry, and maple trees and a variety of flowers.  In this way, the garden can be enjoyed in many different seasons of Japan.  In visiting Kitain Temple, the garden is often overlooked because of poor signage, but it is the furthermost temple room in back, so visitors should persist as it is the highlight of the temple, apart from the 500 rakan.
    kitain-garden-02.jpg
  • Kitain Garden is meant to be viewed only from the temple building itself.  The garden is planted with plum, cherry, and maple trees and a variety of flowers.  In this way, the garden can be enjoyed in many different seasons of Japan.  In visiting Kitain Temple, the garden is often overlooked because of poor signage, but it is the furthermost temple room in back, so visitors should persist as it is the highlight of the temple, apart from the 500 rakan.
    kitain-garden-01.jpg
  • Hama Rikyu, the garden of a feudal lord's residence during the Edo Period, is one of Tokyo's most attractive landscape gardens. It is located next to Tokyo Bay, beside the futuristic Shiodome district. Seawater ponds, former duck hunting grounds, forested areas and a teahouse in the middle of the pond are some of the park's attractions. The difference between the traditional garden with Shiodome's skyscrapers as a background shows a remarkable contrast between modern Japan and traditional Japan which seem to co-exist in harmony.
    hama-rikkyu-12.jpg
  • Tsutenkyo 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-20.jpg
  • Suichin Arbor at Happo-en Garden - built in the early seventeenth century in Tokyo. In 1915 Fusanosuke Kuhara took over the garden for his personal retreat.  It is now the site of a popular wedding banquet hall, though the garden has been preserved as a photo op backdrop for wedding couples and is open to the public.
    happo-en-2.jpg
  • Taishakuten Suikei-en Garden is to be viewed from a covered bridge that encircles the garden.  The garden itself is composed of a long hedge of azaleas, a pond with pines branches shaped to resemble clouds.  Walking along the covered walkway the view across the pond toward the guest house and teahouse provides the best view of the garden.
    taishakuten-suikei-en-02.jpg
  • Tonogayato Garden is a landscape type  garden in Kokubunji, Tokyo. It was built for the vice-president of Manchurian Railway.  In 1929 the estate was bought by the founder of Mitsubishi and is now owned by Tokyo Metropolitan Parks who maintain it.  There is a teahouse on the garden's grounds that can be rented for tea ceremony.
    tonogayato-6.jpg
  • Tonogayato Garden is a landscape type  garden in Kokubunji, Tokyo. It was built for the vice-president of Manchurian Railway.  In 1929 the estate was bought by the founder of Mitsubishi and is now owned by Tokyo Metropolitan Parks who maintain it.  There is a teahouse on the garden's grounds that can be rented for tea ceremony.
    tonogayato-3.jpg
  • Gyokudo Kawai was considered  a great master of Japanese painting who lived in Mitake so as a memorial to his accomplishments Gyokudo Museum was created by Ken Nakajima - the landscape architect. The garden has no specific observation point, thought it can be viewed from many angles without changing its general look.  A central design concept that has been used to describe this garden is nesting technique, which has long been utilized in Japanese art.  Natural stones found in adjacent Tama River were used for the garden's stones as well as a part of natural woods at the background crossed over the wall turned to be garden trees that have set the border between artificial and natural. This can be considered in contrast to borrowed scenery often employed in Japanese gardens. In other words, instead of designating as background, it directly employs the natural elements in the garden itself.
    gyukodo-6.jpg
  • Gyokudo Kawai was considered  a great master of Japanese painting who lived in Mitake so as a memorial to his accomplishments Gyokudo Museum was created by Ken Nakajima - the landscape architect. The garden has no specific observation point, thought it can be viewed from many angles without changing its general look.  A central design concept that has been used to describe this garden is nesting technique, which has long been utilized in Japanese art.  Natural stones found in adjacent Tama River were used for the garden's stones as well as a part of natural woods at the background crossed over the wall turned to be garden trees that have set the border between artificial and natural. This can be considered in contrast to borrowed scenery often employed in Japanese gardens. In other words, instead of designating as background, it directly employs the natural elements in the garden itself.
    gyukodo-2.jpg
  • Bonsai is a Japanese art form using miniature trees grown in containers. This art form comes from Chinese tradition of penjing from which it originated.  The Japanese tradition dates back over a thousand years, and has its own set of aesthetics.  The purpose of bonsai are pleasant contemplation for the viewer, and the satisfaction of effort and ingenuity for the gardener.  Some species of tree are popular as bonsai material because they have small leaves that make them suitable for the compact scope -  relatively small and to meet the aesthetic standards of bonsai. The tree's growth is restricted by the pot environment and continually shaped to limit its growth, and encourage vigor to areas requiring further development.  Unlike “dwarfing” Bonsai makes use of root reduction, pruning, and defoliation to produce small trees that mimic the shape and style of mature, full-size trees.
    bonsai-3.jpg
  • Bonsai is a Japanese art form using miniature trees grown in containers. This art form comes from Chinese tradition of penjing from which it originated.  The Japanese tradition dates back over a thousand years, and has its own set of aesthetics.  The purpose of bonsai are pleasant contemplation for the viewer, and the satisfaction of effort and ingenuity for the gardener.  Some species of tree are popular as bonsai material because they have small leaves that make them suitable for the compact scope -  relatively small and to meet the aesthetic standards of bonsai. The tree's growth is restricted by the pot environment and continually shaped to limit its growth, and encourage vigor to areas requiring further development.  Unlike “dwarfing” Bonsai makes use of root reduction, pruning, and defoliation to produce small trees that mimic the shape and style of mature, full-size trees.
    bonsai-2.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-25.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-16.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-11.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-09.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
  • Kenninji Circle Triangle Square Garden - is a small square garden in front of the abbot’s living quarters.  Its design is based on the calligraphic work by Sengai Gibon.  Sengai was abbot of Shofukuji temple, who also founded Kenninji.  The idea behind the circle, triangle, square is that all things in this universe are represented by these forms.
    kenninji-8.jpg
  • Chouontei “garden of the sound of the tide” is a refined garden nestled behind Kenninji Temple. The garden's san-zon-seki - a set of three stones that represent Buddha and two disciples.  Zazen-seki, a stone for seated meditation and maple trees are placed to afford the visitor a beautiful view from each direction.
    kenninji-7.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-7.jpg
  • Chion-in Hojo Garden is in the chisen kansyo style 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”
    chion-in-1.jpg
  • Hakone Garden is the oldest Japanese garden in the Western Hemisphere. The garden is set in eighteen acres of in the hills of Saratoga overlooking Silicon Valley. Visitors to Hakone Garden can experience the calming effect of a Japanese garden in Northern California.
    hakone-garden-4.jpg
  • Senganen Garden, also known as Isoteien is a Japanese style landscape garden along the coast of Kagoshima. One of the garden's most striking feature is its use of Sakurajima and Kagoshima Bay as borrowed scenery. The garden includes small ponds, streams, shrines and a bamboo grove. Senganen was constructed in 1658 by the wealthy Shimazu Clan, one of the most powerful feudal clans during the Edo Period.  The Shimazu ruled Kagoshima for almost 700 years and continued to be influential into the modern era as earlyadopters of Western science and technology.  At the center of the garden stands the Iso Residence. The residence was originally built in 1658 along with the rest of the garden, but the current building mostly dates back to a reconstruction in the mid 1880s.
    senganen-garden-02.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
Next