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  • Washitsu and Moon Window at Tojo-tei Tojogaoka Garden - 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-9.jpg
  • Tatami originally means "folded and piled" and are a traditional type of Japanese flooring. Traditionally made of rice straw to form the core though nowadays sometimes the core is composed of compressed wood chips or polystyrene foam, with a covering of woven rush straw. Usually, on the long sides, they have edging of brocade.  In almost all Japanese homes, temples and restaurants, one can find fusuma, which slide from side to side to redefine spaces within a room, and also act as doors. They typically measure about the same size as a tatami mat, and are two or three centimeters thick. They consist of a wooden frame, covered in cardboard and a layer of paper. They typically have a black lacquer border and an indented door handle. Historically, fusuma were painted, often with scenes from nature such as mountains, forests or animals.
    fusuma-tatami-1.jpg
  • Shoji Paper Windows-  In traditional Japanese architecture, a shoji is a door, window or room divider made of translucent paper over a frame of wood or bamboo. While washi is the traditional paper, shoji can also be made of modern paper.  Shoji doors are designed to slide open, and conserve space that would be required by a swinging door.  Shoji also provide a form of insulation in winter, keeping drafts out.  They are used in traditional houses in the washitsu or Japanese-style tatami room and almost all temples would have them in abundant use.  Shoji paper needs to be changed regularly as they collect dust and become discolored over time.  Normally this is done in late autumn each year.  However, modern Japanese will only change the shoji paper when they become too discolored for comfort, or have holes appearing in them.  It is a long, tedious process that most people wish to avoid.
    shoji-10.jpg
  • Phoenix Shoji -  In traditional Japanese architecture, a shoji is a door, window or room divider made of translucent paper over a frame of wood or bamboo. While washi is the traditional paper, shoji can also be made of modern paper.  Shoji doors are designed to slide open, and conserve space that would be required by a swinging door.  Shoji also provide a form of insulation in winter, keeping drafts out.  They are used in traditional houses in the washitsu or Japanese-style tatami room and almost all temples would have them in abundant use.  Shoji paper needs to be changed regularly as they collect dust and become discolored over time.  Normally this is done in late autumn each year.  However, modern Japanese will only change the shoji paper when they become too discolored for comfort, or have holes appearing in them.  It is a long, tedious process that most people wish to avoid.
    shoji-9.jpg
  • Tatami Room and Shoji -  In traditional Japanese architecture, a shoji is a door, window or room divider made of translucent paper over a frame of wood or bamboo. While washi is the traditional paper, shoji can also be made of modern paper.  Shoji doors are designed to slide open, and conserve space that would be required by a swinging door.  Shoji also provide a form of insulation in winter, keeping drafts out.  They are used in traditional houses in the washitsu or Japanese-style tatami room and almost all temples would have them in abundant use.  Shoji paper needs to be changed regularly as they collect dust and become discolored over time.  Normally this is done in late autumn each year.  However, modern Japanese will only change the shoji paper when they become too discolored for comfort, or have holes appearing in them.  It is a long, tedious process that most people wish to avoid.
    shoji-11.jpg
  • Daizenji Japanese Garden - Daizenji Temple was built in Koshu by Buddhist priest Gyoki in 718.  It is sometimes called the “grape temple” as Gyoki was met by the presence of Yakushi Nyorai the Buddhist disciple of healing holding a cluster of grapes. As a result the temple has come to be called "the birthplace of the Koshu Grape.”  The temple even offers wine tasting, the only one in Japan to honor this custom, since it is at the heart of the Katsunuma wine district of Yamanashi.  Over the course of its long history, many of the temple structures have been destroyed by natural disaster - most of what remains is Yakushi Hall and the Sammon Gate.  Daizenji also has an impressive Japanese pond garden within its grounds, ideally viewed from the washitsu tatami room
    daizenji-garden-04.jpg
  • Meigetsuin is a Zen temple in Kamakura in harmony with nature. Composed of two gardens, one zen dry garden in front and a strolling garden in back. Meigetsuin is well-known for the many hydrangea in bloom in June, and vivid maples leaves in autumn.  According to 350-year-old records  Meigetsuin was originally just the guest house of a much bigger  Zenko-ji Temple which was closed by the government during the Meiji period and is all that remains of the formerly important temple.
    meigetsuin-moon-window-01.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Garden is a tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot. <br />
There is a tea room called Ruizudari which is mostly original though it was renovated and revived in 1999.
    jodoji-garden-onomichi-9.jpg
  • Tokonoma  is a Japanese term  referring to a built-in recessed space in a tatami room, in which items for artistic appreciation are displayed.  In English, tokonoma is usually called an alcove. The items usually displayed in a tokonoma are calligraphy or pictorial scrolls and an arrangement of flowers.
    tenryuji-temple-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-8.jpg
  • Located at the foot of Mt. Hiei in eastern Kyoto, Enkoji is one of many temple gardens that dot this part of town. Enkoji was founded in 1601 by Tokugawa Ieyasu - its mission was to promote learning and scholarship in Japan. As a result, both monks and laymen were allowed as students. Enkoji is well known for its autumn leaves.
    enkoji-garden-1.jpg
  • Moon Window at Meigetsuin - a Zen temple in Kamakura in harmony with nature. Composed of two gardens, one zen dry garden in front and a strolling garden in back. Meigetsuin is well-known for the many hydrangea in bloom in June, and vivid maples leaves in autumn.
    meigetsuin-garden-4.jpg
  • Tokonoma  is a Japanese term  referring to a built-in recessed space in a tatami room, in which items for artistic appreciation are displayed.  In English, tokonoma is usually called an alcove. The items usually displayed in a tokonoma are calligraphy or pictorial scrolls and an arrangement of flowers.
    tokonoma.jpg
  • Ichijo Ekan was a noble during the Edo Period, the son of Enperoro Goyozei but was adopted by the Ichijo clan.  He served as Advisor and Regent to the Emperor, brother Enperor Gomizuno.  In later years he became a Buddhist monk and took the name Chitoku Ekan.  He was an affcionado of the arts, especially tea ceremony, flower arrangement, architecture and calligraphy.  Naturally, these interests led him to construct a retreat which was originally built in Kyoto and later brought to Kamakura.. Ichijo Ekan Sanso is an exquisite example of Japanese court architecture often compared to Katsura Rikyu.  The use of natural materials in the villa and garden highlights the nature loving tastes of the time.
    ichijo-ekan-sanso-13.jpg
  • Erinji Temple Garden & Tatami - Erinji temple was built in 1330 with Muso Soseki as its founder. Muso was in his day the foremost designer of Japanese gardens, and went on to design many gardens in Kyoto, some of which are UNESCO world heritage sites such as Saihoji and Tenryuji.   Although the garden was built at the same time, the original entire temple burned down in the sixteenth century.  Some of the present garden had to be restored in the Edo period.  Erinji Garden’s focus is on a pond, with borrowed scenery behind it of a rockery, a favorite style and theme of Muso.  There focal points are from various viewpoints: including from an arched bridge, and the more orthodox view from a tatami room.  The central island in the pond contains an enormous Japanese pine tree, the garden’s most famous and unique element. Erinji is a part of the Myoshin-ji Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism.   The temple  was once the family temple of Takeda Shingen who is buried here.
    erinji-garden-18.jpg
  • The Ean Tea House at Takanawa Garden which is used for special occasions and tea ceremony.  Japanese tearoom or Chashitsu have tatami mats and usually there is an alcove or tokonoma in the room, as well.  There is no fixed layout, as to where the door has to be in relation to the host’s mat but the guests should be seated near the Tokonoma.  The tea ceremony host mat or temaeza cannot be in the same corner as guests as this is where tea is prepared
    takanawa-prince-teahouse-1.jpg
  • Shofuen is both a tea ceremony garden with a small strolling garden. The grounds are made up of carefully sculpted bushes that encircle large stones, that give it modern look.  Its teahouses were built on the site of Shofuso, the domain of Zenpachi Tanakamaru, a the aficionado and Kyushu pottery collector. The garden incorporates two small teahouses: Shofuan and Azumaya that Tanakamaru had built by the famous tea hut artisan, Kaichiro Usui.  Shofuan.  Shofuan has the same layout as the that of the great tea master Sen-no-Rikyu located in the Jukoin Temple at Daitokuji  in Kyoto.
    shofu-en-9.jpg
  • Shofuen is both a tea ceremony garden with a small strolling garden. The grounds are made up of carefully sculpted bushes that encircle large stones, that give it modern look.  Its teahouses were built on the site of Shofuso, the domain of Zenpachi Tanakamaru, a the aficionado and Kyushu pottery collector. The garden incorporates two small teahouses: Shofuan and Azumaya that Tanakamaru had built by the famous tea hut artisan, Kaichiro Usui.  Shofuan.  Shofuan has the same layout as the that of the great tea master Sen-no-Rikyu located in the Jukoin Temple at Daitokuji  in Kyoto.
    shofu-en-8.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.
    togeppo-temple-1.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.
    togeppo-temple-2.jpg
  • Ryoanji or the Temple of the Dragon at Peace is a Zen temple in northwest Kyoto, Ryoanji belongs to the My shin-ji school of the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism. The garden is considered to be the finest examples of a karesansui, Japanese rock garden, or zen garden, in the world. The temple and gardens are listed as Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto and as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    fusuma-7.jpg
  • Shisendo is a hermitage garden in eastern Kyoto established by Jozen Ishikawa, a scholar and landscape architect. After he retired as a samurai he devoted the rest of his life to learning Chinese classics. When he was 59 he built this masterpiece as a retirement villa which has come to be known as Shisendo.
    shisendo-1.jpg
  • Tatami room at Ekoin Temple's Shukubo.  Koya-san is one of the best places to experience a temple stay in Japan.  Tatami Room at Ekoin, one of the most popular temples for this for foreign visitors. Ekoin has early morning prayer services and goma fire burning ceremonies that visitors can observe.
    fusuma-9.jpg
  • Tatami originally means "folded and piled" and are a traditional type of Japanese flooring. Traditionally made of rice straw to form the core though nowadays sometimes the core is composed of compressed wood chips or polystyrene foam, with a covering of woven rush straw. Usually, on the long sides, they have edging of brocade.
    tatami-room-1.jpg
  • In almost all Japanese homes, temples and restaurants, one can find fusuma, which slide from side to side to redefine spaces within a room, and also act as doors. They typically measure about the same size as a tatami mat, and are two or three centimeters thick. They consist of a wooden frame, covered in cardboard and a layer of paper. They typically have a black lacquer border and an indented door handle. Historically, fusuma were painted, often with scenes from nature such as mountains, forests or animals.
    tatami-room-5.jpg
  • In almost all Japanese homes, temples and restaurants, one can find fusuma, which slide from side to side to redefine spaces within a room, and also act as doors. They typically measure about the same size as a tatami mat, and are two or three centimeters thick. They consist of a wooden frame, covered in cardboard and a layer of paper. They typically have a black lacquer border and an indented door handle. Historically, fusuma were painted, often with scenes from nature such as mountains, forests or animals.
    fusuma-5.jpg
  • The main hall at Kaizoji is called Ryugoden - the building was constructed in 1925, two years after the Great Kanto Earthquakeb which had destroyed the original one. Paintings on the sliding fusuma doors were drawn by famous Kano school painters active during the Edo Period as official painters for the Shogun, warlords and emperors.<br />
Enshrined in this hall is a statue of Shaka Sakyamuni, Nyorai and Eleven Headed Kannon Bosatsu Ekadasamukha.  Kaizoji Temple is listed as the 26th of the Kamakura 33 Kannon Pilgrimage trail.
    kaizoji-ryugoden-1.jpg
  • In almost all Japanese homes, temples and restaurants, one can find fusuma, which slide from side to side to redefine spaces within a room, and also act as doors. They typically measure about the same size as a tatami mat, and are two or three centimeters thick. They consist of a wooden frame, covered in cardboard and a layer of paper. They typically have a black lacquer border and an indented door handle. Historically, fusuma were painted, often with scenes from nature such as mountains, forests or animals.
    fusuma-3.jpg
  • In almost all Japanese homes, temples and restaurants, one can find fusuma, which slide from side to side to redefine spaces within a room, and also act as doors. They typically measure about the same size as a tatami mat, and are two or three centimeters thick. They consist of a wooden frame, covered in cardboard and a layer of paper. They typically have a black lacquer border and an indented door handle. Historically, fusuma were painted, often with scenes from nature such as mountains, forests or animals.
    tatami-room-5.jpg
  • The main hall at Kaizoji is called Ryugoden - the building was constructed in 1925, two years after the Great Kanto Earthquakeb which had destroyed the original one. Paintings on the sliding fusuma doors were drawn by famous Kano school painters active during the Edo Period as official painters for the Shogun, warlords and emperors.<br />
Enshrined in this hall is a statue of Shaka Sakyamuni, Nyorai and Eleven Headed Kannon Bosatsu Ekadasamukha.  Kaizoji Temple is listed as the 26th of the Kamakura 33 Kannon Pilgrimage trail.
    kaizoji-ryugoden-2.jpg
  • Erinji Temple Garden & Tatami - Erinji temple was built in 1330 with Muso Soseki as its founder. Muso was in his day the foremost designer of Japanese gardens, and went on to design many gardens in Kyoto, some of which are UNESCO world heritage sites such as Saihoji and Tenryuji.   Although the garden was built at the same time, the original entire temple burned down in the sixteenth century.  Some of the present garden had to be restored in the Edo period.  Erinji Garden’s focus is on a pond, with borrowed scenery behind it of a rockery, a favorite style and theme of Muso.  There focal points are from various viewpoints: including from an arched bridge, and the more orthodox view from a tatami room.  The central island in the pond contains an enormous Japanese pine tree, the garden’s most famous and unique element. Erinji is a part of the Myoshin-ji Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism.   The temple  was once the family temple of Takeda Shingen who is buried here.
    erinji-garden-17.jpg
  • Yusentei Teahouse and Garden - Yusentei was built as a vacation house by a feudal lord of Fukuoka in 1754 and was reopened by the city of Fukuoka in 1981 as a historical park.  This  garden is constructed in the chisen kaiyu-shiki  style, that is a strolling garden centered on a scenic pond. The paths of the garden wind through thick trees and mossy rocks, up miniature hills and along the shore of the koi pond, immersing visitors in a uniquely Japanese landscape garden atmosphere. At the large teahouse overlooking the pond, visitors can enjoy matcha tea at the teahouse overlooking the pond.  The garden is named after a poem by Kuze Michinatsu, which expresses the coolness of the spring water in the summer and the feeling of retreat at the Jyosuian and Shozanan teahouses.
    yusentei-garden-5.jpg
  • Japanese tearoom or Chashitsu have tatami mats and usually there is an alcove or tokonoma in the room, as well.  There is no fixed layout, as to where the door has to be in relation to the host’s mat but the guests should be seated near the Tokonoma.  The tea ceremony host mat or temaeza cannot be in the same corner as guests as this is where tea is prepared
    chashitsu-1.jpg
  • Shofuen is both a tea ceremony garden with a small strolling garden. The grounds are made up of carefully sculpted bushes that encircle large stones, that give it modern look.  Its teahouses were built on the site of Shofuso, the domain of Zenpachi Tanakamaru, a the aficionado and Kyushu pottery collector. The garden incorporates two small teahouses: Shofuan and Azumaya that Tanakamaru had built by the famous tea hut artisan, Kaichiro Usui.  Shofuan.  Shofuan has the same layout as the that of the great tea master Sen-no-Rikyu located in the Jukoin Temple at Daitokuji  in Kyoto.
    shofu-en-6.jpg
  • In almost all Japanese homes, temples and restaurants, one can find fusuma, which slide from side to side to redefine spaces within a room, and also act as doors. They typically measure about the same size as a tatami mat, and are two or three centimeters thick. They consist of a wooden frame, covered in cardboard and a layer of paper. They typically have a black lacquer border and an indented door handle. Historically, fusuma were painted, often with scenes from nature such as mountains, forests or animals.
    fusuma-1.jpg
  • In almost all Japanese homes, temples and restaurants, one can find fusuma, which slide from side to side to redefine spaces within a room, and also act as doors. They typically measure about the same size as a tatami mat, and are two or three centimeters thick. They consist of a wooden frame, covered in cardboard and a layer of paper. They typically have a black lacquer border and an indented door handle. Historically, fusuma were painted, often with scenes from nature such as mountains, forests or animals.
    zuiko-in-6.jpg
  • Tatami originally means "folded and piled" and are a traditional type of Japanese flooring. Traditionally made of rice straw to form the core though nowadays sometimes the core is composed of compressed wood chips or polystyrene foam, with a covering of woven rush straw. Usually, on the long sides, they have edging of brocade.
    tatami-room-4.jpg
  • In almost all Japanese homes, temples and restaurants, one can find fusuma, which slide from side to side to redefine spaces within a room, and also act as doors. They typically measure about the same size as a tatami mat, and are two or three centimeters thick. They consist of a wooden frame, covered in cardboard and a layer of paper. They typically have a black lacquer border and an indented door handle. Historically, fusuma were painted, often with scenes from nature such as mountains, forests or animals.
    fusuma-6.jpg
  • Tatami Room and Shoji -  In traditional Japanese architecture, a shoji is a door, window or room divider consisting of translucent paper over a frame of wood or bamboo. While washi is the traditional paper, shoji may be made of modern paper.  Shoji doors are designed to slide open, and thus conserve space that would be required by a swinging door. They are used in traditional houses especially in tatami rooms.  Tatami mats are a traditional type of Japanese flooring. Traditionally made of rice straw to form the core though nowadays sometimes the core is composed of compressed wood  or styrofoam, with a covering of woven soft rush straw.  Tatami are made in uniform sizes. Standard tatami are rectangular and are exactly twice as long as they are wide. Usually they have edging of brocade. Tatami were originally a luxury item for the nobility while the lower classes had mat covered dirt floors.
    tatami-room-2.jpg
  • Tatami room at Ekoin Temple's Shukubo.  Koya-san is one of the best places to experience a temple stay in Japan.  Tatami Room at Ekoin, one of the most popular temples for this for foreign visitors.  One reason is that most of the young monks speak English, and Ekoin is well accustomed to foreign visitors.  Also Ekoin has morning prayer services and fire burning ceremonies that visitors can observe.
    fusuma-9.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
  • Meigetsuin is a Zen temple in Kamakura in harmony with nature. Composed of two gardens, one zen dry garden in front and a strolling garden in back. Meigetsuin is well-known for the many hydrangea in bloom in June, and vivid maples leaves in autumn.  According to 350-year-old records  Meigetsuin was originally just the guest house of a much bigger  Zenko-ji Temple which was closed by the government during the Meiji period and is all that remains of the formerly important temple.
    meigetsuin-moon-window-03.jpg
  • Meigetsuin is a Zen temple in Kamakura in harmony with nature. Composed of two gardens, one zen dry garden in front and a strolling garden in back. Meigetsuin is well-known for the many hydrangea in bloom in June, and vivid maples leaves in autumn.  According to 350-year-old records  Meigetsuin was originally just the guest house of a much bigger  Zenko-ji Temple which was closed by the government during the Meiji period and is all that remains of the formerly important temple.
    meigetsuin-moon-window-02.jpg
  • Yusentei Teahouse and Garden - Yusentei was built as a vacation house by a feudal lord of Fukuoka in 1754 and was reopened by the city of Fukuoka in 1981 as a historical park.  This  garden is constructed in the chisen kaiyu-shiki  style, that is a strolling garden centered on a scenic pond. The paths of the garden wind through thick trees and mossy rocks, up miniature hills and along the shore of the koi pond, immersing visitors in a uniquely Japanese landscape garden atmosphere. At the large teahouse overlooking the pond, visitors can enjoy matcha tea at the teahouse overlooking the pond.  The garden is named after a poem by Kuze Michinatsu, which expresses the coolness of the spring water in the summer and the feeling of retreat at the Jyosuian and Shozanan teahouses.
    yusentei-garden-12.jpg
  • Yusentei Teahouse and Garden - Yusentei was built as a vacation house by a feudal lord of Fukuoka in 1754 and was reopened by the city of Fukuoka in 1981 as a historical park.  This  garden is constructed in the chisen kaiyu-shiki  style, that is a strolling garden centered on a scenic pond. The paths of the garden wind through thick trees and mossy rocks, up miniature hills and along the shore of the koi pond, immersing visitors in a uniquely Japanese landscape garden atmosphere. At the large teahouse overlooking the pond, visitors can enjoy matcha tea at the teahouse overlooking the pond.  The garden is named after a poem by Kuze Michinatsu, which expresses the coolness of the spring water in the summer and the feeling of retreat at the Jyosuian and Shozanan teahouses.
    yusentei-garden-6.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.
    togeppo-temple-4.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-1.jpg
  • Entoku-in Garden was originally part of Fushimijo Castle and also a sub-temple of Kodaiji Temple. It was founded by a nephew of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The northern dry garden shows the essence of Momoyama style and is a registered National Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government. It was built in 1605 and dedicated as a Rinzai sect temple in 1633..
    entoku-in-8.jpg
  • Enkoji was founded in 1601 by Tokugawa Ieyasu - its mission was to promote learning and scholarship in Japan. As a result, both monks and laymen were allowed as students. Enkoji is well known for its autumn leaves. Out front there is a modern zen garden, though the showcase is the tatami room overlooking the back garden.
    enkoji-garden-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-4.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-2.jpg
  • Daizenji Japanese Garden - Daizenji Temple was built in Koshu by Buddhist priest Gyoki in 718.  It is sometimes called the “grape temple” as Gyoki was met by the presence of Yakushi Nyorai the Buddhist disciple of healing holding a cluster of grapes. As a result the temple has come to be called "the birthplace of the Koshu Grape.”  The temple even offers wine tasting, the only one in Japan to honor this custom, since it is at the heart of the Katsunuma wine district of Yamanashi.  Over the course of its long history, many of the temple structures have been destroyed by natural disaster - most of what remains is Yakushi Hall and the Sammon Gate.  Daizenji also has an impressive Japanese pond garden within its grounds, ideally viewed from the washitsu tatami room
    daizenji-garden-03.jpg
  • Daizenji Japanese Garden - Daizenji Temple was built in Koshu by Buddhist priest Gyoki in 718.  It is sometimes called the “grape temple” as Gyoki was met by the presence of Yakushi Nyorai the Buddhist disciple of healing holding a cluster of grapes. As a result the temple has come to be called "the birthplace of the Koshu Grape.”  The temple even offers wine tasting, the only one in Japan to honor this custom, since it is at the heart of the Katsunuma wine district of Yamanashi.  Over the course of its long history, many of the temple structures have been destroyed by natural disaster - most of what remains is Yakushi Hall and the Sammon Gate.  Daizenji also has an impressive Japanese pond garden within its grounds, ideally viewed from the washitsu tatami room
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-181.jpg
  • Daizenji Sammon Gate Guardian - Daizenji Temple was built in Koshu by Buddhist priest Gyoki in 718.  It is sometimes called the “grape temple” as Gyoki was met by the presence of Yakushi Nyorai the Buddhist disciple of healing holding a cluster of grapes. As a result the temple has come to be called "the birthplace of the Koshu Grape.”  The temple even offers wine tasting, the only one in Japan to honor this custom, since it is at the heart of the Katsunuma wine district of Yamanashi.  Over the course of its long history, many of the temple structures have been destroyed by natural disaster - most of what remains is Yakushi Hall and the Sammon Gate.  Daizenji also has an impressive Japanese pond garden within its grounds, ideally viewed from the washitsu tatami room
    daizenji-1.jpg
  • Yukinoniwa Garden  - The garden of Myomanji named Yuki-no-niwa or “snow garden” was built by Matsunaga Teitoku. In its heyday it was called one of the three best gardens in Kyoto that had the combination of: snow, moon and flowers.  There is a fine washitsu tatami room from which to admire the garden. Yukinoniwa Garden has been compared to Jojuin garden - a sub-temple of Kiyomizudera. Myomanji temple grounds are made up of islands of raked gravel.  Additionally there is a tower, as well as a large stupa which is a copy of Bodh Gaya in India where Buddha gained Enlightenment.
    myomanji-19.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-16.jpg
  • Yukinoniwa Garden  - The garden of Myomanji named Yuki-no-niwa or “snow garden” was built by Matsunaga Teitoku. In its heyday it was called one of the three best gardens in Kyoto that had the combination of: snow, moon and flowers.  There is a fine washitsu tatami room from which to admire the garden. Yukinoniwa Garden has been compared to Jojuin garden - a sub-temple of Kiyomizudera. Myomanji temple grounds are made up of islands of raked gravel.  Additionally there is a tower, as well as a large stupa which is a copy of Bodh Gaya in India where Buddha gained Enlightenment.
    myomanji-13.jpg
  • 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-5.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-3.jpg
  • In traditional Japanese architecture, a shoji is a door, window or room divider made of translucent paper over a frame of wood or bamboo. While washi is the traditional paper, shoji may be made of modern paper (and sometimes even white plastic). Shoji doors are designed to slide open, and thus conserve space that would be required by a swinging door. They are used in traditional houses especially in the washitsu  or Japanese-style room.
    shoji-4.jpg
  • Shoji at Taizo-in Temple - In traditional Japanese architecture a shoji is a door, window or room divider made of translucent paper over a frame of wood or bamboo. Shoji doors are designed to slide open, and thus conserve space that would be required by a swinging door. They are used in traditional houses especially in the washitsu  or Japanese-style room.
    shoji-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-15.jpg
  • Daizenji Japanese Garden - Daizenji Temple was built in Koshu by Buddhist priest Gyoki in 718.  It is sometimes called the “grape temple” as Gyoki was met by the presence of Yakushi Nyorai the Buddhist disciple of healing holding a cluster of grapes. As a result the temple has come to be called "the birthplace of the Koshu Grape.”  The temple even offers wine tasting, the only one in Japan to honor this custom, since it is at the heart of the Katsunuma wine district of Yamanashi.  Over the course of its long history, many of the temple structures have been destroyed by natural disaster - most of what remains is Yakushi Hall and the Sammon Gate.  Daizenji also has an impressive Japanese pond garden within its grounds, ideally viewed from the washitsu tatami room
    daizenji-garden-05.jpg
  • Daizenji Japanese Garden - Daizenji Temple was built in Koshu by Buddhist priest Gyoki in 718.  It is sometimes called the “grape temple” as Gyoki was met by the presence of Yakushi Nyorai the Buddhist disciple of healing holding a cluster of grapes. As a result the temple has come to be called "the birthplace of the Koshu Grape.”  The temple even offers wine tasting, the only one in Japan to honor this custom, since it is at the heart of the Katsunuma wine district of Yamanashi.  Over the course of its long history, many of the temple structures have been destroyed by natural disaster - most of what remains is Yakushi Hall and the Sammon Gate.  Daizenji also has an impressive Japanese pond garden within its grounds, ideally viewed from the washitsu tatami room
    daizenji-garden-06.jpg
  • Daizenji Temple was built in Koshu by Buddhist priest Gyoki in 718.  It is sometimes called the “grape temple” as Gyoki was met by the presence of Yakushi Nyorai the Buddhist disciple of healing holding a cluster of grapes. As a result the temple has come to be called "the birthplace of the Koshu Grape.”  The temple even offers wine tasting, the only one in Japan to honor this custom, since it is at the heart of the Katsunuma wine district of Yamanashi.  Over the course of its long history, many of the temple structures have been destroyed by natural disaster - most of what remains is Yakushi Hall and the Sammon Gate.  Daizenji also has an impressive Japanese pond garden within its grounds, ideally viewed from the washitsu tatami room
    daizen-ji-1.jpg
  • Yukinoniwa Garden  - The garden of Myomanji named Yuki-no-niwa or “snow garden” was built by Matsunaga Teitoku. In its heyday it was called one of the three best gardens in Kyoto that had the combination of: snow, moon and flowers.  There is a fine washitsu tatami room from which to admire the garden. Yukinoniwa Garden has been compared to Jojuin garden - a sub-temple of Kiyomizudera. Myomanji temple grounds are made up of islands of raked gravel.  Additionally there is a tower, as well as a large stupa which is a copy of Bodh Gaya in India where Buddha gained Enlightenment.
    myomanji-17.jpg
  • Daizenji Japanese Garden - Daizenji Temple was built in Koshu by Buddhist priest Gyoki in 718.  It is sometimes called the “grape temple” as Gyoki was met by the presence of Yakushi Nyorai the Buddhist disciple of healing holding a cluster of grapes. As a result the temple has come to be called "the birthplace of the Koshu Grape.”  The temple even offers wine tasting, the only one in Japan to honor this custom, since it is at the heart of the Katsunuma wine district of Yamanashi.  Over the course of its long history, many of the temple structures have been destroyed by natural disaster - most of what remains is Yakushi Hall and the Sammon Gate.  Daizenji also has an impressive Japanese pond garden within its grounds, ideally viewed from the washitsu tatami room
    daizenji-garden-01.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
  • 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-1.jpg
  • Shoji silhouette at Ekoin Temple, Koyasan. In traditional Japanese architecture, a shoji is a door, window or room divider consisting of translucent paper over a frame of wood or bamboo. Shoji doors are designed to slide open, and thus conserve space that would be required by a swinging door. They are used in traditional houses especially in the washitsu  or Japanese-style room.
    shoji-5.jpg
  • Daizenji Temple was built in Koshu by Buddhist priest Gyoki in 718.  It is sometimes called the “grape temple” as Gyoki was met by the presence of Yakushi Nyorai the Buddhist disciple of healing holding a cluster of grapes. As a result the temple has come to be called "the birthplace of the Koshu Grape.”  The temple even offers wine tasting, the only one in Japan to honor this custom, since it is at the heart of the Katsunuma wine district of Yamanashi.  Over the course of its long history, many of the temple structures have been destroyed by natural disaster - most of what remains is Yakushi Hall and the Sammon Gate.  Daizenji also has an impressive Japanese pond garden within its grounds, ideally viewed from the washitsu tatami room
    daizenji-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-18.jpg
  • Japanese Shoji Window - In traditional Japanese architecture a shoji is a door, window or room divider made of translucent paper over a frame of wood or bamboo. <br />
Shoji doors are designed to slide open, and thus conserve space that would be required by a swinging door. They are used in traditional houses especially in the washitsu  or Japanese-style room.
    shoji-1.jpg
  • Daizenji Japanese Garden - Daizenji Temple was built in Koshu by Buddhist priest Gyoki in 718.  It is sometimes called the “grape temple” as Gyoki was met by the presence of Yakushi Nyorai the Buddhist disciple of healing holding a cluster of grapes. As a result the temple has come to be called "the birthplace of the Koshu Grape.”  The temple even offers wine tasting, the only one in Japan to honor this custom, since it is at the heart of the Katsunuma wine district of Yamanashi.  Over the course of its long history, many of the temple structures have been destroyed by natural disaster - most of what remains is Yakushi Hall and the Sammon Gate.  Daizenji also has an impressive Japanese pond garden within its grounds, ideally viewed from the washitsu tatami room
    daizenji-garden.jpg
  • Japanese Shoji Window - In traditional Japanese architecture a shoji is a door, window or room divider made of translucent paper over a frame of wood or bamboo. <br />
Shoji doors are designed to slide open, and thus conserve space that would be required by a swinging door. They are used in traditional houses especially in the washitsu or Japanese-style room.
    shoji-window-9.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-6.jpg
  • Shoji at Edo Mura - In traditional Japanese architecture, a shoji is a door, window or room divider consisting of translucent paper over a frame of wood or bamboo. While washi is the traditional paper, shoji may be made of modern paper. <br />
Shoji doors are designed to slide open, and thus conserve space that would be required by a swinging door. They are used in traditional houses especially in the washitsu  or Japanese-style room.
    edo-mura-2.jpg