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  • 16.  Tenryuji 天龍寺 has been ranked first among Kyoto's ‘Five Great Zen Temples’.  Muso Soseki, the temple's founding abbot and famous garden designer, is said to have created Tenryuji's garden which, unlike the temple buildings,  survived several fires intact and is considered one of the oldest gardens of its kind. This is a shakkei or borrowed landscape garden, integrating the background scenery of the hills of Arashiyama as part of the garden's composition. Rather than physically entering the garden, it shows a 3D effect and was meant to be viewed from a distance.  It is often cited as a one of the best examples of the use of borrowed scenery gardens in Japan.
    16.KYOTO-TENRYUJI-02.jpg
  • 16.  Tenryuji 天龍寺 has been ranked first among Kyoto's ‘Five Great Zen Temples’.  Muso Soseki, the temple's founding abbot and famous garden designer, is said to have created Tenryuji's garden which, unlike the temple buildings,  survived several fires intact and is considered one of the oldest gardens of its kind. This is a shakkei or borrowed landscape garden, integrating the background scenery of the hills of Arashiyama as part of the garden's composition. Rather than physically entering the garden, it shows a 3D effect and was meant to be viewed from a distance.  It is often cited as a one of the best examples of the use of borrowed scenery gardens in Japan.
    16.KYOTO-TENRYUJI-03.jpg
  • 16.  Tenryuji 天龍寺 has been ranked first among Kyoto's ‘Five Great Zen Temples’.  Muso Soseki, the temple's founding abbot and famous garden designer, is said to have created Tenryuji's garden which, unlike the temple buildings,  survived several fires intact and is considered one of the oldest gardens of its kind. This is a shakkei or borrowed landscape garden, integrating the background scenery of the hills of Arashiyama as part of the garden's composition. Rather than physically entering the garden, it shows a 3D effect and was meant to be viewed from a distance.  It is often cited as a one of the best examples of the use of borrowed scenery gardens in Japan.
    16.KYOTO-TENRYUJI-01.jpg
  • Raikyu-ji Temple Garden at Tenchu-zan Ankoku Raikyu-ji - When the governor of the area died he was succeeded to the post by his son Kobori Enshu who is considered to be one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony as well as his fame as a garden designer. Kobori lived at the temple, is said to have built the present zen garden.  It was designed in the "Horai style" to emphasize spiritual peace and harmony in its composition and in the consciousness of the viewer using nearby Mount Atago in the background to form a shakkei "borrowed scenery". The garden is also known as Tsurukame Garden because of the two stone islands in the garden named Crane and Tortoise.  Although it was completed in 1609  the abbots of the temple have maintained the garden in its original form in honour of its designer. This Japanese rock garden called karesansui, which uses no water and instead uses stones and sand to express a natural landscape, has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty. Raikyuji Temple Garden has even been awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
    raikyu-ji-garden-3.jpg
  • 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-18.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
  • 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-11.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-5.jpg
  • Raikyu-ji Temple Garden at Tenchu-zan Ankoku Raikyu-ji - When the governor of the area died he was succeeded to the post by his son Kobori Enshu who is considered to be one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony as well as his fame as a garden designer. Kobori lived at the temple, is said to have built the present zen garden.  It was designed in the "Horai style" to emphasize spiritual peace and harmony in its composition and in the consciousness of the viewer using nearby Mount Atago in the background to form a shakkei "borrowed scenery". The garden is also known as Tsurukame Garden because of the two stone islands in the garden named Crane and Tortoise.  Although it was completed in 1609  the abbots of the temple have maintained the garden in its original form in honour of its designer. This Japanese rock garden called karesansui, which uses no water and instead uses stones and sand to express a natural landscape, has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty. Raikyuji Temple Garden has even been awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
    raikyu-ji-garden-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
  • Ritsurin Pond Garden - Ritsurin Garden 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-35.jpg
  • Ritsurin Pond Garden - Ritsurin Garden 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-24.jpg
  • Kikugetsu-tei is a traditional Japanese sukiya teahouse, on the shores of Nanko South Pond, at Ritsurin, one of Japan's most beautiful gardens. Ritsurin Garden 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-23.jpg
  • Kikugetsu-tei is a traditional Japanese sukiya teahouse, on the shores of Nanko South Pond, at Ritsurin, one of Japan's most beautiful gardens. Ritsurin Garden 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-22.jpg
  • Ritsurin Pond Garden - Ritsurin Garden 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-21.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-17.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-15.jpg
  • Ritsurin Garden 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-14.jpg
  • Ritsurin Pond Garden - Ritsurin Garden 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-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-4.jpg
  • Kikugetsu-tei is a traditional Japanese sukiya teahouse, on the shores of Nanko South Pond, at Ritsurin, one of Japan's most beautiful gardens. Ritsurin Garden 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-5.jpg
  • Ritsurin Pond Garden - Ritsurin Garden 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-1.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 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Hokukuji Temple, sometimes call "the Bamboo Temple" because of its large bamboo grove, was once the family temple of both the Ashikaga and Uesugi clans.  The temple and zen gardens were established by a Zen Buddhist monk Tengan Eko.  The zen garden uses "borrowed scenery" from the surrounding landscape.
    hokokuji-16.jpg
  • Raikyu-ji Temple Garden at Tenchu-zan Ankoku Raikyu-ji - When the governor of the area died he was succeeded to the post by his son Kobori Enshu who is considered to be one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony as well as his fame as a garden designer. Kobori lived at the temple, is said to have built the present zen garden.  It was designed in the "Horai style" to emphasize spiritual peace and harmony in its composition and in the consciousness of the viewer using nearby Mount Atago in the background to form a shakkei "borrowed scenery". The garden is also known as Tsurukame Garden because of the two stone islands in the garden named Crane and Tortoise.  Although it was completed in 1609  the abbots of the temple have maintained the garden in its original form in honour of its designer. This Japanese rock garden called karesansui, which uses no water and instead uses stones and sand to express a natural landscape, has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty. Raikyuji Temple Garden has even been awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
    raikyu-ji-garden-10.jpg
  • Raikyu-ji Temple Garden at Tenchu-zan Ankoku Raikyu-ji - When the governor of the area died he was succeeded to the post by his son Kobori Enshu who is considered to be one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony as well as his fame as a garden designer. Kobori lived at the temple, is said to have built the present zen garden.  It was designed in the "Horai style" to emphasize spiritual peace and harmony in its composition and in the consciousness of the viewer using nearby Mount Atago in the background to form a shakkei "borrowed scenery". The garden is also known as Tsurukame Garden because of the two stone islands in the garden named Crane and Tortoise.  Although it was completed in 1609  the abbots of the temple have maintained the garden in its original form in honour of its designer. This Japanese rock garden called karesansui, which uses no water and instead uses stones and sand to express a natural landscape, has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty. Raikyuji Temple Garden has even been awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-11.jpg
  • Raikyu-ji Temple Garden at Tenchu-zan Ankoku Raikyu-ji - When the governor of the area died he was succeeded to the post by his son Kobori Enshu who is considered to be one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony as well as his fame as a garden designer. Kobori lived at the temple, is said to have built the present zen garden.  It was designed in the "Horai style" to emphasize spiritual peace and harmony in its composition and in the consciousness of the viewer using nearby Mount Atago in the background to form a shakkei "borrowed scenery". The garden is also known as Tsurukame Garden because of the two stone islands in the garden named Crane and Tortoise.  Although it was completed in 1609  the abbots of the temple have maintained the garden in its original form in honour of its designer. This Japanese rock garden called karesansui, which uses no water and instead uses stones and sand to express a natural landscape, has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty. Raikyuji Temple Garden has even been awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
    raikyu-ji-garden-6.jpg
  • Raikyu-ji Temple Garden at Tenchu-zan Ankoku Raikyu-ji - When the governor of the area died he was succeeded to the post by his son Kobori Enshu who is considered to be one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony as well as his fame as a garden designer. Kobori lived at the temple, is said to have built the present zen garden.  It was designed in the "Horai style" to emphasize spiritual peace and harmony in its composition and in the consciousness of the viewer using nearby Mount Atago in the background to form a shakkei "borrowed scenery". The garden is also known as Tsurukame Garden because of the two stone islands in the garden named Crane and Tortoise.  Although it was completed in 1609  the abbots of the temple have maintained the garden in its original form in honour of its designer. This Japanese rock garden called karesansui, which uses no water and instead uses stones and sand to express a natural landscape, has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty. Raikyuji Temple Garden has even been awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
    raikyu-ji-garden-2.jpg
  • Ritsurin Pond Garden - Ritsurin Garden 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-36.jpg
  • Ritsurin Pond Garden - Ritsurin Garden 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-23.jpg
  • Ritsurin Iris Garden - Ritsurin Garden 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-21.jpg
  • Ritsurin Pond Garden - Ritsurin Garden 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-22.jpg
  • Kikugetsu-tei is a traditional Japanese sukiya teahouse, on the shores of Nanko South Pond, at Ritsurin, one of Japan's most beautiful gardens. Ritsurin Garden 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-20.jpg
  • Kikugetsu-tei is a traditional Japanese sukiya teahouse, on the shores of Nanko South Pond, at Ritsurin, one of Japan's most beautiful gardens. Ritsurin Garden 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-19.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-16.jpg
  • Ritsurin Pond Garden - Ritsurin Garden 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-11.jpg
  • Ritsurin Pond Garden - Ritsurin Garden 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-10.jpg
  • Ritsurin Pond Garden - Ritsurin Garden 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-8.jpg
  • Ritsurin Pond Garden - Ritsurin Garden 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-9.jpg
  • Kikugetsu-tei is a traditional Japanese sukiya teahouse, on the shores of Nanko South Pond, at Ritsurin, one of Japan's most beautiful gardens. Ritsurin Garden 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-7.jpg
  • Kikugetsu-tei is a traditional Japanese sukiya teahouse, on the shores of Nanko South Pond, at Ritsurin, one of Japan's most beautiful gardens. Ritsurin Garden 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-6.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-3.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-2.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-07.jpg
  • Engetsukyo Bridge at Ritsurin - a landscape garden in Takamatsu  built by the local feudal lords during the Edo Period. Considered one of the finest gardens in Japan,  Ritsurin features many ponds, hills and pavilions set in front of wooded Mt. Shiun which serves as a background and example of borrowed scenery and Japanese gardening design.
    ritsurin-garden-15.jpg
  • Kikugetsu-tei is a traditional Japanese sukiya teahouse, on the shores of Nanko South Pond, at Ritsurin, one of Japan's most beautiful gardens. Ritsurin Garden 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-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-18.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 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
  • 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.
    gyokudo-6.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-4.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-4.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-26.jpg
  • Hotel Okura Kobe Garden at Meriken Park Kobe. There is a pond garden with a scenic view of Kobe's landmark, Kobe Port Tower. The garden was created by Koutarou Iwaki, a garden representative of Tokyo in the Showa period. The Japanese garden that can be seen from the lobby was created by Iwaki Gardens, as at Hotel Okura Tokyo. The pond garden has a beach and a powerful waterfall in the center. From the lobby, the port tower, and modern white frame of the Kobe Maritime Museum as well as the harbor are part of the background scenery. Here visits and guests can enjoy seasonal flowers-  plums, cherry blossoms, azaleas, hydrangeas and autumn leaves.
    Okura-Kobe-Garden-2.jpg
  • Hotel Okura Kobe Garden at Meriken Park Kobe. There is a pond garden with a scenic view of Kobe's landmark, Kobe Port Tower. The garden was created by Koutarou Iwaki, a garden representative of Tokyo in the Showa period. The Japanese garden that can be seen from the lobby was created by Iwaki Gardens, as at Hotel Okura Tokyo. The pond garden has a beach and a powerful waterfall in the center. From the lobby, the port tower, and modern white frame of the Kobe Maritime Museum as well as the harbor are part of the background scenery. Here visits and guests can enjoy seasonal flowers-  plums, cherry blossoms, azaleas, hydrangeas and autumn leaves.
    Okura-Kobe-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
  • Kinomoto Jizo-in is a temple dedicated to people with eye problems. The legend goes that there is a frog living in the temple that pluck out its own eye in order to help people with eye diseases to receive blessings from the Jizo to cure their eye problems.  The highlight of the temple is There is an Edo period garden on the north side of the Shoin.  It makes much use of a hill serving as a backdrop or borrowed scenery, on the right side there is a karetaki ishigumi dry waterfall rock arrangement.  Within the pond there is a tortoise island done in a Horaisan water display
    kinomoto-jizo-in-4.jpg
  • Kinomoto Jizo-in is a temple dedicated to people with eye problems. The legend goes that there is a frog living in the temple that pluck out its own eye in order to help people with eye diseases to receive blessings from the Jizo to cure their eye problems.  The highlight of the temple is There is an Edo period garden on the north side of the Shoin.  It makes much use of a hill serving as a backdrop or borrowed scenery, on the right side there is a karetaki ishigumi dry waterfall rock arrangement.  Within the pond there is a tortoise island done in a Horaisan water display
    kinomoto-jizo-in-3.jpg
  • Kinomoto Jizo-in is a temple dedicated to people with eye problems. The legend goes that there is a frog living in the temple that pluck out its own eye in order to help people with eye diseases to receive blessings from the Jizo to cure their eye problems.  The highlight of the temple is There is an Edo period garden on the north side of the Shoin.  It makes much use of a hill serving as a backdrop or borrowed scenery, on the right side there is a karetaki ishigumi dry waterfall rock arrangement.  Within the pond there is a tortoise island done in a Horaisan water display
    kinomoto-jizo-in-2.jpg
  • Japanese Tea Garden at Kokoen - Kokoen Garden; Kokoen; koko-en; himeji castle garden; himeji garden; japanese stepping stones; tobi-ishi; tobi ishi; skipping stones; flying stones; exterior space; landscape; landscape architecture; idyllic; Tranquility; Simplicity; japanese landscape architecture; exterior space; no people; scenery; tranquil; tranquility; calm; natural light; calming; calmness; peacefulness; serenity; serene; nobody; Soujuan Tea House; Soujuan Teahouse
    koko-en-53.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.
    gyokudo-4.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.
    gyokudo-5.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.
    gyokudo-1.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.
    gyokudo-2.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.
    gyokudo-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.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-6.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-3-amber.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
  • Togeppo Saioku-ji Temple was cherished by the poet, Socho who spent his final years at the hermitage here.  The temple's garden incorporates the scenery of Tenchuuzan and Maruko Fuji. Togeppo is designated as a national scenic spot and historic site of Japan.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-73.jpg
  • Mihama-en was built in Makuhari  with the intention of maintaining a bit of traditional Japanese design within a very modern urban environment. Its other purpose is to provide an oasis for residents and visitors to rest from modern life.  Mihama-en is the only traditional garden in Japan that intentionally used skyscrapers as its background contrast scenery.
    mihama-en-5.jpg
  • Mihama-en was built in Makuhari  with the intention of maintaining a bit of traditional Japanese design within a very modern urban environment. Its other purpose is to provide an oasis for residents and visitors to rest from modern life.  Mihama-en is the only traditional garden in Japan that intentionally used skyscrapers as its background contrast scenery.
    mihama-en-2.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
  • 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-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-2.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-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-2.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-1.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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Manshu-in also known as Manshuin Monzeki is a Tendai sect Zen Buddhist temple located near the Shugakuin Imperial Villa in Kyoto.  The temple's major garden is in the Karesansui style, and now designated as an eminent scenery; it contains a notable Pinus pentaphylla tree, now about 400 years old, set within an "island" on a stream of white sand.  This garden lies just south of Shugakuin Detached Palace on the grounds of the Monzekiji-in temple (a Tendai sect temple). Prince Toshihito's (who designed Katsura) second son, Yoshihisa seems to have had some connection with this garden's construction in 1656. The original buildings still stands in their original locations, and their Shoin style closely resembles that of Katsura. The garden is wrapped around both the large and small shoin, but according to Gunter Nitsche, it is best viewed from the small shoin. Its design is that of a pond garden in terms of layout, but the older Heian form has been transformed into the dry karesansui of the Edo period. An artificial Mount Horai is paired with rock groupings on its left. A stone bridge "Ishibashii" crosses a dry stream and a second bridge of stone slabs links a penninsula to a crane island in the far west. On the crane island are three undulating rock groups that resemble the nosuji of the Heian period . In front is a turtle island floating in an expanse of white gravel.
    manshu-in-garden-4.jpg
  • Manshu-in also known as Manshuin Monzeki is a Tendai sect Zen Buddhist temple located near the Shugakuin Imperial Villa in Kyoto.  The temple's major garden is in the Karesansui style, and now designated as an eminent scenery; it contains a notable Pinus pentaphylla tree, now about 400 years old, set within an "island" on a stream of white sand.  This garden lies just south of Shugakuin Detached Palace on the grounds of the Monzekiji-in temple (a Tendai sect temple). Prince Toshihito's (who designed Katsura) second son, Yoshihisa seems to have had some connection with this garden's construction in 1656. The original buildings still stands in their original locations, and their Shoin style closely resembles that of Katsura. The garden is wrapped around both the large and small shoin, but according to Gunter Nitsche, it is best viewed from the small shoin. Its design is that of a pond garden in terms of layout, but the older Heian form has been transformed into the dry karesansui of the Edo period. An artificial Mount Horai is paired with rock groupings on its left. A stone bridge "Ishibashii" crosses a dry stream and a second bridge of stone slabs links a penninsula to a crane island in the far west. On the crane island are three undulating rock groups that resemble the nosuji of the Heian period . In front is a turtle island floating in an expanse of white gravel.
    manshu-in-garden-3.jpg
  • Yamagata Aritomo constructed his private villa near the great Zen Buddhist temple of Nanzenji and called it Murin-an.  The garden is famous for its strolling garden, which is cleverly designed to take in the nearby hills of Higashiyama as "borrowed scenery" and the waters of Lake Biwa canal as the source of its stream.
    murin-an-garden-4.jpg
  • Murin-an Garden - Yamagata Aritomo constructed his private villa near the great Zen Buddhist temple of Nanzenji and called it Murin-an.  The garden is famous for its strolling garden, which is cleverly designed to take in the nearby hills of Higashiyama as "borrowed scenery" and the waters of Lake Biwa canal as the source of its stream.
    murin-an-garden-2.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-02.jpg
  • Nanzenji is of the most powerful Zen monasteries in Japan, as it was counted among the Gozan, the five principal Zen establishments in Kyoto, and in 1381 was declared number one. Its main garden is a large rectangle of crushed rock, and can be viewed from verandas of Seiryoden Hall.  Along the eastern wall is a moss covered area containing large stones and shrubs, these elements arranged from north to south. Because Nanzenji is located just below the slope of Higashiyama, the view of the garden includes the borrowed scenery of the hillside. The shape of the boulders has led some to assume that they represent "leaping tigers" following the Kano School paintings of tigers decorating the sliding doors of the Seiryoden Hall.
    nanzenji-4.jpg
  • Nanzenji is one of the most powerful Zen monasteries in Japan, as it was counted among the Gozan, the five principal Zen establishments in Kyoto, and in 1381 was declared number one. Its main garden is a large rectangle of crushed rock, and can be viewed from verandas of Seiryoden Hall.  Along the eastern wall is a moss covered area containing large stones and shrubs, these elements arranged from north to south. Because Nanzenji is located just below the slope of Higashiyama, the view of the garden includes the borrowed scenery of the hillside. The shape of the boulders has led some to assume that they represent "leaping tigers" following the Kano School paintings of tigers decorating the sliding doors of the Seiryoden Hall.
    nanzenji-2.jpg
  • Nanzenji is of the most powerful Zen monasteries in Japan, as it was counted among the Gozan, the five principal Zen establishments in Kyoto, and in 1381 was declared number one. Its main garden is a large rectangle of crushed rock, and can be viewed from verandas of Seiryoden Hall.  Along the eastern wall is a moss covered area containing large stones and shrubs, these elements arranged from north to south. Because Nanzenji is located just below the slope of Higashiyama, the view of the garden includes the borrowed scenery of the hillside. The shape of the boulders has led some to assume that they represent "leaping tigers" following the Kano School paintings of tigers decorating the sliding doors of the Seiryoden Hall.
    nanzenji-1.jpg
  • Tenryuji 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-7.jpg
  • Motonobu-no-Niwa Garden at Taizoin - Motonobu Kano, the Master of Zen and also a painter of the Muromachi period, designed this garden and as such, it retains a very graceful, elegant and painterly ambience, giving it a unique air. The background scenery of the garden consists mainly of camellia, pine, Japanese umbrella pine, and other evergreens, presumably planted to present an "eternal beauty" that remains the same throughout the changing seasons.
    taizo-in-20.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.jpg
  • Kinomoto Jizo-in is a temple dedicated to people with eye problems. The legend goes that there is a frog living in the temple that pluck out its own eye in order to help people with eye diseases to receive blessings from the Jizo to cure their eye problems.  The highlight of the temple is There is an Edo period garden on the north side of the Shoin.  It makes much use of a hill serving as a backdrop or borrowed scenery, on the right side there is a karetaki ishigumi dry waterfall rock arrangement.  Within the pond there is a tortoise island done in a Horaisan water display
    kinomoto-jizo-in-5.jpg
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