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  • Jisso-in Tsukabaim kakei, water basin, tsukubai, japanese basin, chozubachi, chozuya, temizuya, tsukubai, Japanese Water Basin, Tranquility;  Simplicity; serene, serenity, exterior space, nature, pattern, scenic, visual effect, no people, scenery, tranquil, tranquility, calm, historic sites, natural light, natural beauty, spirituality, simplicity, natural, landscapes, inspiration, inspiring, calming, calms, contemplative, meditative, mellow, peaceful, pleasant, beautiful, calmness,  idyllic, ideal, peacefulness, serenity, serene, nobody,
    tsukabai-60.jpg
  • 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
  • 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 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
  • 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
  • The pond at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the one of the most famous spots in Kamakura for sakura viewing. The Five Peony Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The peony garden features, in addition to 5 species of peony, large stones amongst which peonies are planted. These stones were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government. Traditionally, peonies were always planted in China with special stones that come from the Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province, China.  This garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.
    tsurugaoka-garden-02.jpg
  • Howa-en is also called Mito Mitsuke is relatively hidden and unsung garden in Mito, Ibaraki. It is most famous for its hydrangeas of which there are 10 <br />
different species, in bloom during July. In addition, there are wisteria near the pond growing in their trellises. The pond garden has a small pagoda on its own tiny island framed by Japanese pines which is lit up in the evenings. Amebas Pond is the centerpiece of the garden, with a strolling path around its cicircumference, which passes by a small waterfall, plum and sakura cherry trees. The grounds of Howaen or Howa-en are adjacent to Keiseiruji Temple (original name was Kokadoin or Kofuin) and was a favorite of Tokugawa Mitsukuni who named it Hodenkoen. Locally the temple and garden complex is called
    howa-en-05.jpg
  • Carp are seen in Japan (as well as in the rest of Asia) as a symbol of fortune.  These ponds used as an element of a landscape pond garden. Classic koi ponds have nishikigoi Japanese ornamental carps.  It is said that the design of a koi pond has a great effect on the well-being of the carp.
    carp-pond-09.jpg
  • The Issa Soju Memorial Hall in Nagareyama commemorates Issa Kobayashi, a renowned Japanese haiku poet in the 18th and 19th centuries and Soju Akimoto, a brewer of mirin. Issa Kobayashi visited Nagareyama often to see Sanzaemon Akimoto whose pen name was Soju. The home of Akimoto family showcases the Sojutei outer garden, Issa-an dry garden. Sojutei was originally built as the library and study of the Akimotos in the style of a tea-ceremony house. It has been restored, and consists of Okunoma, Nakanoma and Ochanoma with verandas  facing east, west and south overlooking the dry garden.  Issa-an consists of an eight tatami-mat room and is used for tea ceremonies and gathering of haiku poets.  The Issa-Soju Memorial Hall opened in 1995 to commemorate <br />
the friendship and correspondence between Soju Akimoto and Issa Kobayashi.
    issa-sojo-1.jpg
  • Korakuen is a Japanese landscape garden located in Okayama and is considered one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, along with Kenrokuen and Kairakuen. Korakuen was built in 1700 by Ikeda Tsunamasa, lord of Okayama. In 1884, ownership was transferred to Okayama Prefecture and the garden was opened to the public. The garden suffered severe flood damage in 1934 and during World War II bombing in 1945, but has been restored based on Edo period paintings and diagrams.
    korakuen-6.jpg
  • The pond at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the one of the most famous spots in Kamakura for sakura viewing. The Five Peony Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The peony garden features, in addition to 5 species of peony, large stones amongst which peonies are planted. These stones were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government. Traditionally, peonies were always planted in China with special stones that come from the Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province, China.  This garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.
    tsurugaoka-garden-10.jpg
  • Keiseiruji Temple (original name was Kokadoin or Kofuin) and was a favorite of Tokugawa Mitsukuni who named it Hodenkoen. Adjacent to the temple is a Japanese pond garden called Howa-en or Mito Mitsuke - a relatively hidden and unsung garden in Mito, Ibaraki. It is most famous for its hydrangeas of which there are 10 <br />
different species in bloom during July.  The pond garden has a small pagoda on its own tiny island framed by Japanese pines which is lit up in the evenings. Amebas Pond is the centerpiece of the garden, with a strolling path around its cicircumference, which passes by a small waterfall, plum and sakura cherry trees.
    howa-en-02.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-09.jpg
  • Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion, was built in 1393 as a retirement villa for Shogun Yoshimitsu Ashikaga. He intended to cover the exterior with gold, but only managed to coat the the ceiling of the third floor with gold leaf before his death. After his death, his son converted the building into a Zen temple of the Rinzai school named Rokuonji, in accordance with Ashikaga's wishes.
    kinkakuji-2.jpg
  • The Issa Soju Memorial Hall in Nagareyama commemorates Issa Kobayashi, a renowned Japanese haiku poet in the 18th and 19th centuries and Soju Akimoto, a brewer of mirin. Issa Kobayashi visited Nagareyama often to see Sanzaemon Akimoto whose pen name was Soju. The home of Akimoto family showcases the Sojutei outer garden, Issa-an dry garden. Sojutei was originally built as the library and study of the Akimotos in the style of a tea-ceremony house. It has been restored, and consists of Okunoma, Nakanoma and Ochanoma with verandas  facing east, west and south overlooking the dry garden.  Issa-an consists of an eight tatami-mat room and is used for tea ceremonies and gathering of haiku poets.  The Issa-Soju Memorial Hall opened in 1995 to commemorate <br />
the friendship and correspondence between Soju Akimoto and Issa Kobayashi.
    issa-sojo-10.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
  • 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
  • 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
  • The pond at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the one of the most famous spots in Kamakura for sakura viewing. The Five Peony Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The peony garden features, in addition to 5 species of peony, large stones amongst which peonies are planted. These stones were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government. Traditionally, peonies were always planted in China with special stones that come from the Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province, China.  This garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.
    tsurugaoka-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
  • Hama Rikyu Garden or  Hama-rikyu Onshi Teien is a  landscape garden surrounding Shioiri Pond. The park itself is surrounded by a seawater moat filled by Tokyo Bay. It was remodeled as a public garden park on the site of a villa of the Shogun Tokugawa family in the 17th century.  Visitors can also enjoy Japanese tea and sweets at a tea house in the middle of the pond, called Nakajima-no-Ochaya in the garden that offers matcha tea and Japanese sweets.
    hama-rikkyu-4.jpg
  • The Issa Soju Memorial Hall in Nagareyama commemorates Issa Kobayashi, a renowned Japanese haiku poet in the 18th and 19th centuries and Soju Akimoto, a brewer of mirin. Issa Kobayashi visited Nagareyama often to see Sanzaemon Akimoto whose pen name was Soju. The home of Akimoto family showcases the Sojutei outer garden, Issa-an dry garden. Sojutei was originally built as the library and study of the Akimotos in the style of a tea-ceremony house. It has been restored, and consists of Okunoma, Nakanoma and Ochanoma with verandas  facing east, west and south overlooking the dry garden.  Issa-an consists of an eight tatami-mat room and is used for tea ceremonies and gathering of haiku poets.  The Issa-Soju Memorial Hall opened in 1995 to commemorate <br />
the friendship and correspondence between Soju Akimoto and Issa Kobayashi.
    issa-sojo-6.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-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
  • 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
  • Yasukuni Shinchi Teien Sacred Pond Garden  -  this strolling garden was created in the early Meiji Era. Its centerpiece is a small waterfall located in a serene pond.  The garden was neglected for many years and left in ruins but was refurbished in 1999.  Its main features are a waterfall and koi pond and pond garden. The centerpiece is a serene pond with strolling paths around it.  Shinchi Teien or Sacred Pond Garden was established during the early Meiji period. This hidden garden is located adjacent to controversial Yasukuni Shrine.
    shinchi-teien-27.jpg
  • The Sanbancho Chamber is a national conference hall built where the estate of Yamagata Ari once stood.  It is now in the grounds of the Ministry of Agriculture Annex, and is only open during auturmn for fall colors and April for its cherry blossoms. To commemorate Emperor Meiji's visit to the garden, there is a stone monument carved by Yamagata himself.  It was designed by Showa architect Hiroshi Oe who also helped with the construction of the National Noh theater and Ise Shrine.
    sanbancho-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-23.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
  • 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
  • Rakujuen Garden was built around Kohama Pond where the natural spring brings in water from Mt. Fuji. Built by the Imperial Family Komatsu-no-miya in 1890 on the Mishima Lava that flowed from Mt. Fuji. Rakujuen has been designated as a place of scenic beauty and a national natural treasure by the Japanese government.  Its centerpiece is the Rakujukan teahouse built in the Takayukashiki Sukiyazukuri style.
    rakujuen-garden-6.jpg
  • Jiko-in was founded in 1663 by Sekishu Katagiri, a feudal lord of the area who mastered the way of Zen Buddhism and tea ceremony.  He believed that tea ceremony was part of his meditation regime, and so constructed a tea ceremony room and garden for this purpose.  The garden is well known for its elaborate shrubbery - and also includes a larger view of the Yamato plain and hills, contrasted with the temple, tea room, trees, stones, shrubs and grass.  Jiko-in is also very unique in that it is a rare exception that visitors can wander around the shrubs and dry rock garden.  Included in the cost of entry is matcha tea and sweets.
    jikoin-15.jpg
  • Osaka Castle Garden - the inner bailey garden was developed along with the redevelopment of Osaka Castle itself in 1931.  Often confused with Nishinomaru Garden, which is in another area of Osaka-jo grounds, the inner bailey garden was once a part of the Kishu Goten Mansion estate.  It is a strolling pond garden with various viewpoints of the garden along the shores of the pond, as well as of the castle.
    osaka-castle-garden-3.jpg
  • Yukinoniwa Garden  - The garden of Myomanji named Yuki-no-niwa or “snow garden” was built by Matsunaga Teitoku. In its heyday it was called one of the three best gardens in Kyoto that had the combination of: snow, moon and flowers.  There is a fine washitsu tatami room from which to admire the garden. Yukinoniwa Garden has been compared to Jojuin garden - a sub-temple of Kiyomizudera. Myomanji temple grounds are made up of islands of raked gravel.  Additionally there is a tower, as well as a large stupa which is a copy of Bodh Gaya in India where Buddha gained Enlightenment.
    myomanji-19.jpg
  • Taima-dera was established when the Imperial Prince Maroko, the brother of Prince Shotoku, who worked on spreading Buddhism, built the temple in 612. It was originally in the Kawachi region (part of the present Osaka). Because it was moved to the present location in 681 by Taima no Kunimi, a powerful figure of the time, it came to be known as Taima-dera. Its object of worship is a mandala, which is a painting that depicts the teachings of the Buddha. It is called Tsuzureori Taima Mandara-zu, and depicts such Buddha images as Amitabha, Kannon (the goddess of mercy), and the Bodhisattva of wisdom, and what Nirvana looks like. This mandala is also known from the Legend of Princess Chujo, which tells that the piece was woven in one night using threads made from lotus.
    taima-dera-4.jpg
  • Ikkyu-ji Shuon-an -  Shuon-an Hojo Garden is a classic karesansui rock garden.  Another smaller moss-and-rock garden with a small stone pagoda is located around a back corner of the hojo. The garden have been designated a place of scenic beauty by the Japanese government.  Ikkyu himself is buried here and as he was an imperial prince the mausoleum is under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Household Agency.  Shojin ryori vegetarian temple cuisine is served here with advance reservations.
    Ikkyu-ji-shuon-an-4.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-12.jpg
  • Hashin-tei Garden at Komyo-in.  Komyo-in is one of many sub-temples at Tofuku-ji and was founded in 1391. Several tatami rooms in this small temple offer a commanding view of its fine garden. The central part of the garden is a composed of a moss and stone design with numerous standing stones protruding from the mossy hillocks. The raked gravel, symbolizes water.  Komyo-in is much quieter than the rest of Tofuku-ji, even during the peak seasons and there lies is charm.  The garden at Komyo-in was designed by renowned garden designer and landscape architect Mirei Shigemori.  Mirei designed the garden with three Buddhist triads with stones placed on lines drawn from the large stone in the middle of the garden likened to rays from the Buddha. Hashin-tei Garden at Komyo-in. Komyo-in is one of many sub-temples at Tofuku-ji and was founded in 1391. Several tatami rooms in this small temple offer a commanding view of its fine garden. The central part of the garden is a composed of a moss and stone design with numerous standing stones protruding from the mossy hillocks. The raked gravel, symbolizes water. Komyo-in is much quieter than the rest of Tofuku-ji, even during the peak seasons and there lies is charm. The garden at Komyo-in was designed by renowned garden designer and landscape architect Mirei Shigemori. Mirei designed the garden with three Buddhist triads with stones placed on lines drawn from the large stone in the middle of the garden likened to rays from the Buddha.
    komyo-in-09.jpg
  • Water is considered purifying in Japan, hence the emphasis on cleanliness in everyday life. Water fountains such as these, known as tsukubai, are also beneficial to hear the trickling of falling water to soothe the nerves as well. A tsukubai is a small basin provided at Japanese Buddhist temples for visitors to purify themselves by the ritual washing of hands and rinsing of the mouth. This type of ritual cleansing is also the custom for guests attending a tea ceremony.<br />
Tsukubai are usually of stone, and are often provided with a small scoop, laid across the top, ready for use.
    tsukubai-37.jpg
  • Tojo-tei Tojogaoka Garden is the former domain of Kokugawa Akitake, often called “the last Shogun".  In 1887 when the last Shogun returned power to the emperor.  At the time,  a new era had begun and people from Shogun families faded into obscurity.  The house was designed in styles of both the Edo and Meiji periods with only precious materials used in its construction.   The minimalism found in the design creates the beauty of form. The garden surrounding the home is  an important element havin been designed so that seasonal followers can be enjoyed viewing from all rooms.
    tojitei-tojogaoka-4.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-2.jpg
  • Sahara Kiku was a wealthy antique dealer in the Edo period established a garden for enjoying flowers and developed Mukojima Hyakkaen meaning "a garden with a hundred flowers that bloom”. The garden first opened with  360 plum trees. In later years, many different plants & flowers discussed in Japanese literature and poetry were added.  The garden is the only surviving flower garden from the Edo Period. So as to preserve the garden the owner gave the garden to the City of Tokyo. It was officially opened to the public in 1939.
    mukojima-1.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-01.jpg
  • Showa Kinen Park is a large space surrounded by greenery in the outer suburbs of Tokyo.  A traditional Japanese garden was created in 1997 in a corner of this spacious park.  The strolling garden surrounds a pond, overlooking a tea house.   The delicacy of traditional Japanese landscaping takes account of details as small as a single flower plant or small stone. Kanfu-tei is the tea house built in the Sukiya style in harmony with the pond garden. It was built using mostly cypress special techniques such as roofing with cypress bark and special joints at pillars and beams.
    showa-kinen-garden-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-7.jpg
  • Water is considered purifying in Japan, hence the emphasis on cleanliness in everyday life. Water fountains such as these, known as tsukubai, are also beneficial to hear the trickling of falling water to soothe the nerves as well. A tsukubai is a small basin provided at Japanese Buddhist temples for visitors to purify themselves by the ritual washing of hands and rinsing of the mouth. This type of ritual cleansing is also the custom for guests attending a tea ceremony.<br />
Tsukubai are usually of stone, and are often provided with a small scoop, laid across the top, ready for use.
    tsukubai-10.jpg
  • Originally created as a "Japanese Village" exhibit for the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition, the Japanese Tea Garden at Golden Gate Park originally spanned about one acre. When the fair closed, Japanese landscape architect Makoto Hagiwara created a permanent Japanese garden as a gift for posterity.  Hagiwara became caretaker of the property, pouring all of his personal wealth and creative talents into creating a garden of perfection.  Hagiwara expanded the garden to its current size of approximately 5 acres. He and his family lived on the grounds for many years until 1942 when they were forced to evacuate their homes and put into internment camps. Today, the Japanese Tea Garden endures as one of the most popular attractions at Golden Gate Park, featuring an arched drum bridge, pagodas, stone lanterns, stepping stone paths, native Japanese plants, serene koi ponds and a zen garden.
    golden-gate-tea-7.jpg
  • Honbo Garden Myoshinji - Although it is a main temple of the Myoshin-ji group of the Rinzai sect, which contains 47 sub-temples in a vast area, its Honbo garden is rather simple with impressive paired sand cones used for public events and ceremonies.  The garden is said to have been deisgned by Muso Soseki.
    Honbo-Garden-4.jpg
  • Ryogen-in is a subtemple of the Daitokuji Zen Buddhist complex in Kyoto,  It was constructed in 1502.  There are five gardens adjoining the abbot's residence, including Totekiko claimed to be the smallest Japanese rock garden, Isshi-dan, Koda-tei and Ryogin-tei a moss covered garden which claims to be the oldest garden in Daitoku-ji, and has been attributed to the renowned garden designer Soami.
    ryogen-in-4.jpg
  • Zen Garden by the Lotus Pond at Garan, the sacred complex of temple buildings in Koyasan.  The pond is crossed by a red bridge with a small island called Hasu-ike, the pond of lotus.  It is said that the a good-natured female dragon queen, Nagirajni, appeared in the Lotus Pond after a local priest, Monk Jiko of Zuisoin Monastery invited the dragon to the tiny island in the middle of the pond to help bring water during a time of severe drought.
    Hasu-Ike-garden.jpg
  • Kyu Furukawa Garden was originally the grounds for the  residence of a famous Meiji Period notable, Mutsu Munemitsu.  Ogawa Jihei, a designer of Japanese gardens from Kyoto, created the garden renowned for its beauty that matched the level of the Western style residence. The Furukawa garden is regarded as a typical example of the gardens of the Taisho Period.
    kyu-furukawa-garden-05.jpg
  • Suizenji Garden Kumamoto
    suizenji-1.jpg
  • Ryogen-in, the head temple of the South School of Rinzai-shu Daitoku-ji sect, has a collection of zen gardens including Ryogin-tei a Karesansui or Zen garden laid out in the early 16th century.
    ryogen-in-2.jpg
  • Daijo-in garden was designed by Zenami in the mid Muromachi Period and fell into ruin with the demise of the temple of the same name. In 1958 the site was designated as a National Scenic Place then the Japan National Trust restored the garden to its original brilliance.  The former Daijo-in temple prospered as a temple whose chief priest was a member of the imperial family but now only the garden remains.
    daijo-in-10.jpg
  • Rakujuen Garden Wisteria - Rakujuen Garden was built around Kohama Pond where the natural spring brings in water from Mt. Fuji. Built by the Imperial Family Komatsu-no-miya in 1890 on the Mishima Lava that flowed from Mt. Fuji. Rakujuen has been designated as a place of scenic beauty and a national natural treasure by the Japanese government.  Its centerpiece is the Rakujukan teahouse built in the Takayukashiki Sukiyazukuri style.
    rakujuen-garden-4.jpg
  • Daisen Park Japanese Garden  - In medieval times, Osaka Sakai prospered and served as an important conduit between Japan and the rest of Asia.  Daisen garden was designed to symbolize the history of Sakai.  The garden uses the Tsukiyama Rinsen Kaiyushiki form of design and layout. The far shore arbor replicates a Chinese scenic point. The Togendai stream meanders throughout the garden with several scenic viewpoints.  Daisen Garden was created to commemorate the Sakai municipal centennial.
    daisen-park-garden-27.jpg
  • Daisen Park Japanese Garden  - In medieval times, Osaka Sakai prospered and served as an important conduit between Japan and the rest of Asia.  Daisen garden was designed to symbolize the history of Sakai.  The garden uses the Tsukiyama Rinsen Kaiyushiki form of design and layout. The far shore arbor replicates a Chinese scenic point. The Togendai stream meanders throughout the garden with several scenic viewpoints.  Daisen Garden was created to commemorate the Sakai municipal centennial.
    daisen-park-garden-22.jpg
  • Daisen Park Japanese Garden  - In medieval times, Osaka Sakai prospered and served as an important conduit between Japan and the rest of Asia.  Daisen garden was designed to symbolize the history of Sakai.  The garden uses the Tsukiyama Rinsen Kaiyushiki form of design and layout. The far shore arbor replicates a Chinese scenic point. The Togendai stream meanders throughout the garden with several scenic viewpoints.  Daisen Garden was created to commemorate the Sakai municipal centennial.
    daisen-park-garden-23.jpg
  • Daisen Park Japanese Garden  - In medieval times, Osaka Sakai prospered and served as an important conduit between Japan and the rest of Asia.  Daisen garden was designed to symbolize the history of Sakai.  The garden uses the Tsukiyama Rinsen Kaiyushiki form of design and layout. The far shore arbor replicates a Chinese scenic point. The Togendai stream meanders throughout the garden with several scenic viewpoints.  Daisen Garden was created to commemorate the Sakai municipal centennial.
    daisen-park-garden-9.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
  • 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-07.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-04.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
  • Jizo-in, also known as the Bamboo Temple, thanks to its bamboo forest, was built in 1367 by the Hosakawa family. The temple flourished for five generations before the Onin war destroyed most of the buildings like so many others in Kyoto.  Its simple and quiet garden, not to mention the bamboo forest can be beautiful if the light is right. The temple’s name with the word Jizo in it refers to the small stone statues known to be guardians of women, children and travelers which, can often be found along roads as well as in many temples in Japan.  
    jizo-in-kyoto-2.jpg
  • Yukinoniwa Garden  - The garden of Myomanji named Yuki-no-niwa or “snow garden” was built by Matsunaga Teitoku. In its heyday it was called one of the three best gardens in Kyoto that had the combination of: snow, moon and flowers.  There is a fine washitsu tatami room from which to admire the garden. Yukinoniwa Garden has been compared to Jojuin garden - a sub-temple of Kiyomizudera. Myomanji temple grounds are made up of islands of raked gravel.  Additionally there is a tower, as well as a large stupa which is a copy of Bodh Gaya in India where Buddha gained Enlightenment.
    myomanji-14.jpg
  • Northern Garden, Tofukuji Hojo Temple.  Square cut stones and moss are distributed in a chequered pattern. Though modern in its style and composition, this is one of the most unique gardens in Japan.  Renowned landscape architect and garden designer Shigemori Mirei designed this garden in an ichimatsu inspired checked pattern.
    tofukuji-north-05.jpg
  • 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
  • Water is considered purifying in Japan, hence the emphasis on cleanliness in everyday life. Water fountains such as these, known as tsukubai, are also beneficial to hear the trickling of falling water to soothe the nerves as well. A tsukubai is a small basin provided at Japanese Buddhist temples for visitors to purify themselves by the ritual washing of hands and rinsing of the mouth. This type of ritual cleansing is also the custom for guests attending a tea ceremony. Tsukubai are usually of stone, and are often provided with a small scoop, laid across the top, ready for use.
    basin-1.jpg
  • Funda-in was founded in 1321 as a family temple for the Ichijo clan, but always had strong ties with neighboring Tofuku-ji. Funda-in has many interesting details in its interior: dried leaves embedded in the paper shoji screens from different plant leaves. Funda-in also has a very elaborate bamboo tsukubai water basin adorned with ikebana flower arrangements. The temple has three gardens: the South Garden is in front of the main hall and consists of raked gravel with a moss garden at the far end. On the moss lie two groups of stones: the one on the left represents a tortoise, the one on the right a crane. The East Garden is made up of lots of moss, stones and rhododendrons. In its far end is a small pavilion with a round window. The painter and Zen monk Sesshu is said to have designed the southern garden so the temple is also commonly called Sesshu-ji. The modern garden master Shigemori Mirei restored the garden and added the eastern garden.
    funda-in-02.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
  • 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
  • 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-14.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
  • 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
  • Hokokuji Temple in Kamakaura is one of the few zen temples with a traditional garden in Kamakura, where the rocks, bamboo groves, zen garden, trees and plants are blended with the hills and natural background of the landscape.
    hokokuji-9.jpg
  • Water is considered purifying in Japan, hence the emphasis on cleanliness in everyday life. Water fountains such as these, known as tsukubai, are also beneficial to hear the trickling of falling water to soothe the nerves as well. A tsukubai is a small basin provided at Japanese Buddhist temples for visitors to purify themselves by the ritual washing of hands and rinsing of the mouth. This type of ritual cleansing is also the custom for guests attending a tea ceremony.<br />
Tsukubai are usually of stone, and are often provided with a small scoop, laid across the top, ready for use.
    tsukubai-7.jpg
  • A tsukubai is a basin provided at Japanese  temples for visitors to purify themselves by  ritual washing of hands and rinsing of the mouth. Tsukubai are often made of stone, and  provide a scoop, laid across the basin.  The water supply is provided by a bamboo pipe called a kakei.
    tsukubai-21.jpg
  • Hogon-in was built as a sub-temple of Tenryu-ji.  Like many Kyoto temples, it was damaged by the fires of the Onin war. It was reconstructed in the 16th century and moved to its present location in Arashiyama.   The temple’s zen garden "The Garden of the Lion's Roar”.  The temple enshrines many statues of Kannon, as well as another set of statues Arashiyama Arhats - disciples of Buddha.  There are 500 Arhats if you have the time you to count.
    hogon-in-3.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
  • Shisendo is a so-called scholars garden in eastern Kyoto designed by Jozen Ishikawa as a personal retreat. Ishikawa was a scholar and landscape architect.  After he retired from samurai service he devoted the rest of his life to learning Chinese classics.  When he was 59 he built his masterpiece as a retirement villa which has come to be known as Shisendo.  The hermitage later became a Zen Buddhist templ of the Soto sect.
    shisendo-8.jpg
  • Tofukuji South Garden, in front of the Hojo is the most contrived work among the four gardens and is composed of rock compositions symbolizing Elysian islands - from the east to the west named "Eiju, Horai, Koryo, and Hojo" - placed on the sand garden floor "Hakkai" meaning the eight seas and five moss covered sacred mountains at the western end.  The garden was designed by renowned landscape architect Mirei Shigemori and considered to be one of his most important and representative works.
    tofukuji-south-3.jpg
  • Ukimido is a two-story pagoda in Ukimido Park on Lake Toya in Hokkaido. This vermillion pagoda was constructed in 1937 to enshrine Prince Shotoku.
    ukimi-do-toya-2.jpg
  • Chikurinji Temple Garden, Temple Number 31 - Chikurinji Temple is an important stop on the Shikikoku 88 Temple pilgrimage - it is marked as Temple 31 on the trail and one of Kochi’s most popular attractions.  Chikurin-ji sits on top of Mt Godai or Godaisan and was established during the 8th century and is most famous for its five storied pagoda; it is also known as a scholarly institution of Buddhism with its vast holding of important scrolls and Buddhist statues in its treasure hall.  There's a small pond garden - when looked at from the proper angle - gives the illusion that the temple is floating.
    chikurinji-2.jpg
  • Kyu Yasuda Garden Arched Bridge - Kyu Yasuda Teien Garden  was once the grounds of a samurai and designed in 1688 by Honjo Inabanokami Munesuke.   The strolling garden was taken over and remodeled in 1894 by Zenjiro Yasuda. The Great Kanto Earthquake and also WWII seriously damaged the garden. It was renovated in 1927 after the earthquake and again in 1971.  It was given to the city of Tokyo according to Yasuda’s dying wishes. Kyu Yasuda Teien has been open to the public ever since as a public park. The pond garden retains the appearance described in literature of the Meiji period and is one of the typical gardens of this period.
    kyu-yasuda-garden-18.jpg
  • Chogakuji Temple Tsubo Niwa Garden - Chogakuji Temple is said to have been founded around 824 by Kobo Daishi,.  In a rural area of Nara, the temple has two different Japanese gardens.  One is a small pond garden, surrounded by pine trees in a tsubo niwa or pocket garden style.  The Pure Land garden is rather austere, overlooking the temple itself.
    chogakuji-pond.garden-2.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
  • Rakujuen Garden Wisteria - Rakujuen Garden was built around Kohama Pond where the natural spring brings in water from Mt. Fuji. Built by the Imperial Family Komatsu-no-miya in 1890 on the Mishima Lava that flowed from Mt. Fuji. Rakujuen has been designated as a place of scenic beauty and a national natural treasure by the Japanese government.  Its centerpiece is the Rakujukan teahouse built in the Takayukashiki Sukiyazukuri style.
    rakujuen-garden-1.jpg
  • Osaka Castle Garden - the inner bailey garden was developed along with the redevelopment of Osaka Castle itself in 1931.  Often confused with Nishinomaru Garden, which is in another area of Osaka-jo grounds, the inner bailey garden was once a part of the Kishu Goten Mansion estate.  It is a strolling pond garden with various viewpoints of the garden along the shores of the pond, as well as of the castle.
    osaka-castle-garden-1.jpg
  • Hasedera Gate - 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-hasedera-04.jpg
  • 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.
    shomyo-ji-16.jpg
  • Soribashi Bridge at Shomyoji - 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.
    shomyo-ji-10.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-04.jpg
  • The garden of Shoren-in temple is believed to have been designed by Soami during the Muromachi era. The garden on the east side of Sokaden, known as the Garden of Kirishima, was designed by Enshu Kobori. The garden effectively utilises its surrounding natural beauty. To the south of the pond there is a waterfall, Sensin-no-taki, which flows from Mt. Awata. Located at the centre of the pond is a big stone; its shape gives the appearance of the back of a dragon bathing in the pond. Shoren-in temple is one of the five Monzeki temples of the Tendai sect in Kyoto; the head priests at these temples originally belonged to the imperial family.
    shoren-in-10.jpg
  • Tofukuji Fumo-in is a Japanese garden at Kaisan-do, a sub-temple at Tofuku-ji. On the east side of the path that cuts through the dry zen garden, a lush pond garden has a stone bridge, shrubs and a hill.
    fumo-in-kaisando-04.jpg
  • Zuiho-in Zen Garden's most intriguing feature is its main rock garden called "Dozuka-tei" which is raked into appealing patterns to suggest water ripples and waves lapping against rock formations representing the Hohrai Mountains. It was designed by Mirei Shigemori and is considered one of his most important modern Japanese gardens.
    zuiho-in-5.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-3.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-3.jpg
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