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  • Daikakuji Gosho Garden - Daikaku-ji is often called Sagan Gosho because of its connection with the imperial family as an imperial cloister. It is one of the largest and most important temples in Kyoto. Its Stone Stage, surrounded by a vast dry zen garden, is all that remains of the original Godai-do. Today the Stone Stage is occasionally used for performances of gagaku court music and court dances. Surrounding the garden and court stage, are a series of wooden corridors that are famous for their nightingale squeaksIng sounds, once used as early warning systems for unexpected danger approaching. The Corridor of Village Rain or Murasame-no-Roka- besides is squeaks, has a low ceiling that swords or spears could be swung and cause danger to passing noblemen.
    daikaku-ji-zen.jpg
  • Canadian Embassy Garden Tokyo was designed by Shunmyo Masuno, the head priest and landscape architect at a Zen Buddhist temple in Yokohama.  Shunmyo Masumo is the only Buddhist cleric still practicing garden design in the tradition of the traditional stone-setting priests.  Indeed, part of the tradition of a Zen garden is the design, care, maintenance of such a garden as a form of meditation. In the Tokyo Canadian Embassy garden, stones in Japan were chosen to represent the geological character of the bedrock that forms the Canadian Shield and to embody harmony between Canada and Japan. The ruggedness of the Canadian terrain is suggested in the rough edges of the stone.  The vast expanse of land in Canada is also reflected in the design of the garden.
    canadian-embassy-garden-1.jpg
  • Canadian Embassy Garden Tokyo was designed by Shunmyo Masuno, the head priest and landscape architect at a Zen Buddhist temple in Yokohama.  Shunmyo Masumo is the only Buddhist cleric still practicing garden design in the tradition of the traditional stone-setting priests.  Indeed, part of the tradition of a Zen garden is the design, care, maintenance of such a garden as a form of meditation. In the Tokyo Canadian Embassy garden, stones in Japan were chosen to represent the geological character of the bedrock that forms the Canadian Shield and to embody harmony between Canada and Japan. The ruggedness of the Canadian terrain is suggested in the rough edges of the stone.  The vast expanse of land in Canada is also reflected in the design of the garden.
    canadian-embassy-garden-4.jpg
  • Canadian Embassy Garden Tokyo was designed by Shunmyo Masuno, the head priest and landscape architect at a Zen Buddhist temple in Yokohama.  Shunmyo Masumo is the only Buddhist cleric still practicing garden design in the tradition of the traditional stone-setting priests.  Indeed, part of the tradition of a Zen garden is the design, care, maintenance of such a garden as a form of meditation. In the Tokyo Canadian Embassy garden, stones in Japan were chosen to represent the geological character of the bedrock that forms the Canadian Shield and to embody harmony between Canada and Japan. The ruggedness of the Canadian terrain is suggested in the rough edges of the stone.  The vast expanse of land in Canada is also reflected in the design of the garden.
    canadian-embassy-garden-7.jpg
  • Canadian Embassy Garden Tokyo was designed by Shunmyo Masuno, the head priest and landscape architect at a Zen Buddhist temple in Yokohama.  Shunmyo Masumo is the only Buddhist cleric still practicing garden design in the tradition of the traditional stone-setting priests.  Indeed, part of the tradition of a Zen garden is the design, care, maintenance of such a garden as a form of meditation. In the Tokyo Canadian Embassy garden, stones in Japan were chosen to represent the geological character of the bedrock that forms the Canadian Shield and to embody harmony between Canada and Japan. The ruggedness of the Canadian terrain is suggested in the rough edges of the stone.  The vast expanse of land in Canada is also reflected in the design of the garden.
    canadian-embassy-garden-5.jpg
  • Canadian Embassy Garden Tokyo was designed by Shunmyo Masuno, the head priest and landscape architect at a Zen Buddhist temple in Yokohama.  Shunmyo Masumo is the only Buddhist cleric still practicing garden design in the tradition of the traditional stone-setting priests.  Indeed, part of the tradition of a Zen garden is the design, care, maintenance of such a garden as a form of meditation. In the Tokyo Canadian Embassy garden, stones in Japan were chosen to represent the geological character of the bedrock that forms the Canadian Shield and to embody harmony between Canada and Japan. The ruggedness of the Canadian terrain is suggested in the rough edges of the stone.  The vast expanse of land in Canada is also reflected in the design of the garden.
    canadian-embassy-garden-2.jpg
  • Karesansui Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine  - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The adjacent peony garden features large stones which were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government.  This peony garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.  The dry garden was created along Japanese lines similar to Zen karesansui gardens, although Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is a shinto shrine which honors various gods, and has little to do with Zen Buddhism.
    tsurugaoka-garden-3.jpg
  • Seikenji Temple Garden - Seikenji is a Buddhist temple of Rinzai sect in Okitsu Shizuoka. Seikenji’’s origins began as a result of its location along the ancient Tokaiko Road, leading from Kyoto to Edo Tokyo, as this point was a “sekiisho” or checkpoint along the way. It is considered to be a good place to view the moon especially in the past when it had an unobstructed view of overlooking Suruga Bay. There are statues of 500 disciples, worn and weathered with age, leading up the hill as well as a plum tree planted by Tokugawa-Ieyasu. Seikenji garden was built in the 18th Century, and has been designated as a scenic spot of Japan.  Seikenji is believed to have been founded in the 7th century during the Kamakura Period along the historic Tokaido Road. From a passage at the rear of the  temple’s interior, and inner tatami rooms overlooking the garden, which are the best vantage points to view the exquisitely landscaped Zen garden.  When Tokugawa-Ieyasu was a child, he was sent Seikenji as a refuge of the Imagawa Family.
    seikenji-garden-7.jpg
  • Seikenji Temple Garden - Seikenji is a Buddhist temple of Rinzai sect in Okitsu Shizuoka. Seikenji’’s origins began as a result of its location along the ancient Tokaiko Road, leading from Kyoto to Edo Tokyo, as this point was a “sekiisho” or checkpoint along the way. It is considered to be a good place to view the moon especially in the past when it had an unobstructed view of overlooking Suruga Bay. There are statues of 500 disciples, worn and weathered with age, leading up the hill as well as a plum tree planted by Tokugawa-Ieyasu. Seikenji garden was built in the 18th Century, and has been designated as a scenic spot of Japan.  Seikenji is believed to have been founded in the 7th century during the Kamakura Period along the historic Tokaido Road. From a passage at the rear of the  temple’s interior, and inner tatami rooms overlooking the garden, which are the best vantage points to view the exquisitely landscaped Zen garden.  When Tokugawa-Ieyasu was a child, he was sent Seikenji as a refuge of the Imagawa Family.
    seikenji-garden-11.jpg
  • Seikenji Temple Garden - Seikenji is a Buddhist temple of Rinzai sect in Okitsu Shizuoka. Seikenji’’s origins began as a result of its location along the ancient Tokaiko Road, leading from Kyoto to Edo Tokyo, as this point was a “sekiisho” or checkpoint along the way. It is considered to be a good place to view the moon especially in the past when it had an unobstructed view of overlooking Suruga Bay. There are statues of 500 disciples, worn and weathered with age, leading up the hill as well as a plum tree planted by Tokugawa-Ieyasu. Seikenji garden was built in the 18th Century, and has been designated as a scenic spot of Japan.  Seikenji is believed to have been founded in the 7th century during the Kamakura Period along the historic Tokaido Road. From a passage at the rear of the  temple’s interior, and inner tatami rooms overlooking the garden, which are the best vantage points to view the exquisitely landscaped Zen garden.  When Tokugawa-Ieyasu was a child, he was sent Seikenji as a refuge of the Imagawa Family.
    seikenji-garden-16.jpg
  • Komyoji Garden at Komyoji Temple is a dry garden, sometimes called a Zen garden, though this temple is not of the Zen sect of Buddhism. It is a popular temple with locals in the Kamakura area for its abundant cherry blossoms in spring, frequent flea markets, and free parking near the beach.
    komyoji-garden-7.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams.  The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-10.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams. The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-9.jpg
  • Komyoji Garden at Komyoji Temple is a rare dry garden, sometimes called a Zen garden, although this temple is not of the Zen sect of Buddhism.  It is a popular temple with locals in the Kamakura area for its abundant cherry blossoms in spring, frequent flea markets, and free parking near the beach.
    komyoji-garden-2.jpg
  • Seikenji Temple Garden - Seikenji is a Buddhist temple of Rinzai sect in Okitsu Shizuoka. Seikenji’’s origins began as a result of its location along the ancient Tokaiko Road, leading from Kyoto to Edo Tokyo, as this point was a “sekiisho” or checkpoint along the way. It is considered to be a good place to view the moon especially in the past when it had an unobstructed view of overlooking Suruga Bay. There are statues of 500 disciples, worn and weathered with age, leading up the hill as well as a plum tree planted by Tokugawa-Ieyasu. Seikenji garden was built in the 18th Century, and has been designated as a scenic spot of Japan.  Seikenji is believed to have been founded in the 7th century during the Kamakura Period along the historic Tokaido Road. From a passage at the rear of the  temple’s interior, and inner tatami rooms overlooking the garden, which are the best vantage points to view the exquisitely landscaped Zen garden.  When Tokugawa-Ieyasu was a child, he was sent Seikenji as a refuge of the Imagawa Family.
    seikenji-garden-9.jpg
  • Seikenji Temple Garden - Seikenji is a Buddhist temple of Rinzai sect in Okitsu Shizuoka. Seikenji’’s origins began as a result of its location along the ancient Tokaiko Road, leading from Kyoto to Edo Tokyo, as this point was a “sekiisho” or checkpoint along the way. It is considered to be a good place to view the moon especially in the past when it had an unobstructed view of overlooking Suruga Bay. There are statues of 500 disciples, worn and weathered with age, leading up the hill as well as a plum tree planted by Tokugawa-Ieyasu. Seikenji garden was built in the 18th Century, and has been designated as a scenic spot of Japan.  Seikenji is believed to have been founded in the 7th century during the Kamakura Period along the historic Tokaido Road. From a passage at the rear of the  temple’s interior, and inner tatami rooms overlooking the garden, which are the best vantage points to view the exquisitely landscaped Zen garden.  When Tokugawa-Ieyasu was a child, he was sent Seikenji as a refuge of the Imagawa Family.
    seikenji-garden-13.jpg
  • Seikenji Temple Garden - Seikenji is a Buddhist temple of Rinzai sect in Okitsu Shizuoka. Seikenji’’s origins began as a result of its location along the ancient Tokaiko Road, leading from Kyoto to Edo Tokyo, as this point was a “sekiisho” or checkpoint along the way. It is considered to be a good place to view the moon especially in the past when it had an unobstructed view of overlooking Suruga Bay. There are statues of 500 disciples, worn and weathered with age, leading up the hill as well as a plum tree planted by Tokugawa-Ieyasu. Seikenji garden was built in the 18th Century, and has been designated as a scenic spot of Japan.  Seikenji is believed to have been founded in the 7th century during the Kamakura Period along the historic Tokaido Road. From a passage at the rear of the  temple’s interior, and inner tatami rooms overlooking the garden, which are the best vantage points to view the exquisitely landscaped Zen garden.  When Tokugawa-Ieyasu was a child, he was sent Seikenji as a refuge of the Imagawa Family.
    seikenji-garden-4.jpg
  • Seikenji Temple Garden - Seikenji is a Buddhist temple of Rinzai sect in Okitsu Shizuoka. Seikenji’’s origins began as a result of its location along the ancient Tokaiko Road, leading from Kyoto to Edo Tokyo, as this point was a “sekiisho” or checkpoint along the way. It is considered to be a good place to view the moon especially in the past when it had an unobstructed view of overlooking Suruga Bay. There are statues of 500 disciples, worn and weathered with age, leading up the hill as well as a plum tree planted by Tokugawa-Ieyasu. Seikenji garden was built in the 18th Century, and has been designated as a scenic spot of Japan.  Seikenji is believed to have been founded in the 7th century during the Kamakura Period along the historic Tokaido Road. From a passage at the rear of the  temple’s interior, and inner tatami rooms overlooking the garden, which are the best vantage points to view the exquisitely landscaped Zen garden.  When Tokugawa-Ieyasu was a child, he was sent Seikenji as a refuge of the Imagawa Family.
    seikenji-garden-6.jpg
  • Raikyu-ji Temple Garden at Tenchu-zan Ankoku Raikyu-ji - When the governor of the area died he was succeeded to the post by his son Kobori Enshu who is considered to be one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony as well as his fame as a garden designer. Kobori lived at the temple, is said to have built the present zen garden.  It was designed in the "Horai style" to emphasize spiritual peace and harmony in its composition and in the consciousness of the viewer using nearby Mount Atago in the background to form a shakkei "borrowed scenery". The garden is also known as Tsurukame Garden because of the two stone islands in the garden named Crane and Tortoise.  Although it was completed in 1609  the abbots of the temple have maintained the garden in its original form in honour of its designer. This Japanese rock garden called karesansui, which uses no water and instead uses stones and sand to express a natural landscape, has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty. Raikyuji Temple Garden has even been awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
    raikyu-ji-garden-3.jpg
  • Ohori Dry Garden - Fukuoka’s Ohori Japanese strolling garden was built in 1979 to mark the park’s 50th anniversary. The garden is made up of hills, trees groves and ponds. It was constructed with traditional gardening techniques although it is relatively new. A winding stream, a dry Zen garden, and a teahouse along with its adjacent garden are laid out around the highlights of the venue.  Ohori Garden is one of the finest examples of modern Japanese gardening to date.
    ohori-garden-1.jpg
  • Raikyu-ji Temple Garden at Tenchu-zan Ankoku Raikyu-ji - When the governor of the area died he was succeeded to the post by his son Kobori Enshu who is considered to be one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony as well as his fame as a garden designer. Kobori lived at the temple, is said to have built the present zen garden.  It was designed in the "Horai style" to emphasize spiritual peace and harmony in its composition and in the consciousness of the viewer using nearby Mount Atago in the background to form a shakkei "borrowed scenery". The garden is also known as Tsurukame Garden because of the two stone islands in the garden named Crane and Tortoise.  Although it was completed in 1609  the abbots of the temple have maintained the garden in its original form in honour of its designer. This Japanese rock garden called karesansui, which uses no water and instead uses stones and sand to express a natural landscape, has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty. Raikyuji Temple Garden has even been awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
    raikyu-ji-garden-6.jpg
  • Raikyu-ji Temple Garden at Tenchu-zan Ankoku Raikyu-ji - When the governor of the area died he was succeeded to the post by his son Kobori Enshu who is considered to be one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony as well as his fame as a garden designer. Kobori lived at the temple, is said to have built the present zen garden.  It was designed in the "Horai style" to emphasize spiritual peace and harmony in its composition and in the consciousness of the viewer using nearby Mount Atago in the background to form a shakkei "borrowed scenery". The garden is also known as Tsurukame Garden because of the two stone islands in the garden named Crane and Tortoise.  Although it was completed in 1609  the abbots of the temple have maintained the garden in its original form in honour of its designer. This Japanese rock garden called karesansui, which uses no water and instead uses stones and sand to express a natural landscape, has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty. Raikyuji Temple Garden has even been awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
    raikyu-ji-garden-4.jpg
  • Ohori Dry Garden - Fukuoka’s Ohori Japanese strolling garden was built in 1979 to mark the park’s 50th anniversary. The garden is made up of hills, trees groves and ponds. It was constructed with traditional gardening techniques although it is relatively new. A winding stream, a dry Zen garden, and a teahouse along with its adjacent garden are laid out around the highlights of the venue.  Ohori Garden is one of the finest examples of modern Japanese gardening to date.
    ohori-garden-17.jpg
  • Ohori Dry Garden - Fukuoka’s Ohori Japanese strolling garden was built in 1979 to mark the park’s 50th anniversary. The garden is made up of hills, trees groves and ponds. It was constructed with traditional gardening techniques although it is relatively new. A winding stream, a dry Zen garden, and a teahouse along with its adjacent garden are laid out around the highlights of the venue.  Ohori Garden is one of the finest examples of modern Japanese gardening to date.
    ohori-garden-3.jpg
  • Tenju-an is one of many sub temples at Nanzenji and was built in 1336 to commemorate the founding of Nanzenji in the previous century.  There are two gardens within the compound, though the more famous and impresive of the two is the zen rock garden or karesansui.
    tenju-an-garden-2.jpg
  • Kongobuji Temple's Banryutei rock garden is Japan's largest Zen Garden with 140 granite stones arranged to suggest dragons emerging from clouds to protect the temple. It is said to be the largest karesansui dry garden in Japan.
    banryutei-garden-7.jpg
  • The karesansui zen garden of raked sand, rocks and plants  at Meigetsuin Temple Garden represents legendary Mount Shumi or Sumeru an imaginary mountain in the Buddhist universe. According to records Meigetsuin was originally merely the guest house of a much bigger temple called Zenko-ji which was closed by the government during the Meiji period and is all that remains of the formerly important temple.
    meigetsuin-garden-1.jpg
  • Shogo-in Garden - Shogo-in Monzeki - After repeated relocations due to fires such as the Onin War in the Muromachi periodthe temple moved to its current location in the early Edo period.The temple and its gardens are only open a few weeks per year usually in autumn, and besides its large dry karesansui garden, there are moss gardens behind the main hall.This is the head temple of the Honzan sect of the Shugendo religion which was founded by the ascetic and mystic En-no-Gyoja. Shogo-in Monzeki Temple is also known for the fact that it served as the Monzeki Temple for generations of the imperial family and imperial court. The temple also once served as the temporary living quarters for Emperor Kokaku when the imperial palace was damaged by a fire. Monzeki temples were where the royal family serve as the head priest. Shogo-in Monzeki has another side; a more beautiful side. The temple hall, known as the shinden, houses over 100 sliding doors beautifully painted by Edo Period painter Masunobu Kano, and Kano Eino, the third heir to the Kyogano Kyoto school of Kano painting. Shugendo is an ancient Japanese religion based on mountain religions and seeks to attain Buddhist enlightenment through grueling mountainous training
    shogo-in-garden-01.jpg
  • Fukugonji Temple Garden is usually overlooked by visitors to the Shonan - Kamakura area.  One reason for this is that its main attraction is its garden, which is normally not open to the public except for a peek through the fence.  Fukugonji is a temple of the Rinzai sect of  Buddhist and its full official name is  Tokuniyayama Fukuzenzenji.  Behind the gate there is a plaque with the carved info:  "May, 2013, Yoshitatsu founding 800th anniversary" which indicates that this is an ancient temple. From the main gate there is a large bell hanging  on the second floor.  Fukugenzenji was founded during the Muromachi period as the bodhisattva temple of Yoshie Nagae, who was active in this area during the Kamakura period.
    Fukugonji-Garden-07.jpg
  • Fukugonji Temple Garden is usually overlooked by visitors to the Shonan - Kamakura area.  One reason for this is that its main attraction is its garden, which is normally not open to the public except for a peek through the fence.  Fukugonji is a temple of the Rinzai sect of  Buddhist and its full official name is  Tokuniyayama Fukuzenzenji.  Behind the gate there is a plaque with the carved info:  "May, 2013, Yoshitatsu founding 800th anniversary" which indicates that this is an ancient temple. From the main gate there is a large bell hanging  on the second floor.  Fukugenzenji was founded during the Muromachi period as the bodhisattva temple of Yoshie Nagae, who was active in this area during the Kamakura period.
    Fukugonji-Garden-03.jpg
  • Hase-Dera Garden - Since the year 736, Hase-Dera Temple has been known as the 4th station among the 33 holy places in the Kanto area, and one of the main stops for Buddhist pilgrims in Kamakura, situated down the street from the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Hase-Dera has landscaped Japanese gardens, a giant prayer wheel, jizo caves, a bamboo grove and a vegetarian restaurant up the hill with a bird-eye view of Kamakura and the Shonan Coast.
    hasedera-garden-04.jpg
  • Hase-Dera Garden - Since the year 736, Hase-Dera Temple has been known as the 4th station among the 33 holy places in the Kanto area, and one of the main stops for Buddhist pilgrims in Kamakura, situated down the street from the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Hase-Dera has landscaped Japanese gardens, a giant prayer wheel, jizo caves, a bamboo grove and a vegetarian restaurant up the hill with a bird-eye view of Kamakura and the Shonan Coast.
    hasedera-garden-05.jpg
  • Hase-Dera Dry Garden - Since 736, Hase-Dera has been considered the fourth station among 33 holy places in the Kanto region of Japan, and one of the main stops for Buddhist pilgrims in Kamakura.  Located near the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Hase-Dera has landscaped Japanese gardens, a giant prayer wheel,  a bamboo grove and a vegetarian restaurant with a bird-eye view of Kamakura and the Shonan Coast.
    hasedera-garden-02.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-4.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-1.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-11.jpg
  • Nanshuji Temple in Sakai Osaka - Sen no Rikyu, tea ceremony master laid foundations that continue to influence Japanese arts and philosophy to the present day.  The legacy of Sen no Rikyu is honored at Nanshuji Temple where there is a teahouse in the simple, rustic style.  with a dry karesansui garden adjacent.  This beautiful dry landscape garden was created in the early Edo Period and is a nationally designated place of scenic beauty in Japan.
    nanshuji-garden-3.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams. The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-11.jpg
  • Jotenji Moss Garden - Joten-ji is a Rinzai temple in Hakata, Fukuoka, its construction was completed in 1242.  The grounds of Jotenji feature a Zen garden. The founding priest of the temple, Enni Benen went to China where he studied Zen Buddhism and came back to Japan in 1241.  Besides the teachings of Buddhism, he brought back to Japan a variety of cultural features from China including production methods of noodles.  Jotenji Temple is special because of its striking temple gate and and stone garden.   The gate has become the new symbol of Hakata.  The cry Zen karesansui garden was modeled from Kenninji Kyoto.
    Joten-ji-garden-1.jpg
  • Jotenji Moss Garden - Joten-ji is a Rinzai temple in Hakata, Fukuoka, its construction was completed in 1242.  The grounds of Jotenji feature a Zen garden. The founding priest of the temple, Enni Benen went to China where he studied Zen Buddhism and came back to Japan in 1241.  Besides the teachings of Buddhism, he brought back to Japan a variety of cultural features from China including production methods of noodles.  Jotenji Temple is special because of its striking temple gate and and stone garden.   The gate has become the new symbol of Hakata.  The cry Zen karesansui garden was modeled from Kenninji Kyoto.
    Joten-ji-garden-6.jpg
  • Jotenji Moss Garden - Joten-ji is a Rinzai temple in Hakata, Fukuoka, its construction was completed in 1242.  The grounds of Jotenji feature a Zen garden. The founding priest of the temple, Enni Benen went to China where he studied Zen Buddhism and came back to Japan in 1241.  Besides the teachings of Buddhism, he brought back to Japan a variety of cultural features from China including production methods of noodles.  Jotenji Temple is special because of its striking temple gate and and stone garden.   The gate has become the new symbol of Hakata.  The cry Zen karesansui garden was modeled from Kenninji Kyoto.
    Joten-ji-garden-5.jpg
  • Canadian Embassy Garden Tokyo was designed by Shunmyo Masuno, the head priest and landscape architect at a Zen Buddhist temple in Yokohama.  Shunmyo Masumo is the only Buddhist cleric still practicing garden design in the tradition of the traditional stone-setting priests.  Indeed, part of the tradition of a Zen garden is the design, care, maintenance of such a garden as a form of meditation. In the Tokyo Canadian Embassy garden, stones in Japan were chosen to represent the geological character of the bedrock that forms the Canadian Shield and to embody harmony between Canada and Japan. The ruggedness of the Canadian terrain is suggested in the rough edges of the stone.  The vast expanse of land in Canada is also reflected in the design of the garden.
    canadian-embassy-garden-6.jpg
  • Canadian Embassy Garden Tokyo was designed by Shunmyo Masuno, the head priest and landscape architect at a Zen Buddhist temple in Yokohama.  Shunmyo Masumo is the only Buddhist cleric still practicing garden design in the tradition of the traditional stone-setting priests.  Indeed, part of the tradition of a Zen garden is the design, care, maintenance of such a garden as a form of meditation. In the Tokyo Canadian Embassy garden, stones in Japan were chosen to represent the geological character of the bedrock that forms the Canadian Shield and to embody harmony between Canada and Japan. The ruggedness of the Canadian terrain is suggested in the rough edges of the stone.  The vast expanse of land in Canada is also reflected in the design of the garden.
    canadian-embassy-garden-3.jpg
  • Karesansui Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine  - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The adjacent peony garden features large stones which were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government.  This peony garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.  The dry garden was created along Japanese lines similar to Zen karesansui gardens, although Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is a shinto shrine which honors various gods, and has little to do with Zen Buddhism.
    tsurugaoka-garden-1.jpg
  • Komyoji Garden at Komyoji Temple is a dry garden, sometimes called a Zen garden, though this temple is not of the Zen sect of Buddhism. It is a popular temple with locals in the Kamakura area for its abundant cherry blossoms in spring, frequent flea markets, and free parking near the beach.
    komyoji-garden-5.jpg
  • Komyoji Garden at Komyoji Temple is a dry garden, sometimes called a Zen garden, though this temple is not of the Zen sect of Buddhism. It is a popular temple with locals in the Kamakura area for its abundant cherry blossoms in spring, frequent flea markets, and free parking near the beach.
    komyoji-garden-6.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams. The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-2.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams. The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-8.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams.  The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-5.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams. The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-4.jpg
  • Komyoji Garden at Komyoji Temple is a dry garden, sometimes called a Zen garden, though this temple is not of the Zen sect of Buddhism. It is a popular temple with locals in the Kamakura area for its abundant cherry blossoms in spring, frequent flea markets, and free parking near the beach.
    komyoji-garden-3.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams. The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-6.jpg
  • Seikenji Temple Garden - Seikenji is a Buddhist temple of Rinzai sect in Okitsu Shizuoka. Seikenji’’s origins began as a result of its location along the ancient Tokaiko Road, leading from Kyoto to Edo Tokyo, as this point was a “sekiisho” or checkpoint along the way. It is considered to be a good place to view the moon especially in the past when it had an unobstructed view of overlooking Suruga Bay. There are statues of 500 disciples, worn and weathered with age, leading up the hill as well as a plum tree planted by Tokugawa-Ieyasu. Seikenji garden was built in the 18th Century, and has been designated as a scenic spot of Japan.  Seikenji is believed to have been founded in the 7th century during the Kamakura Period along the historic Tokaido Road. From a passage at the rear of the  temple’s interior, and inner tatami rooms overlooking the garden, which are the best vantage points to view the exquisitely landscaped Zen garden.  When Tokugawa-Ieyasu was a child, he was sent Seikenji as a refuge of the Imagawa Family.
    seikenji-garden-18.jpg
  • Seikenji Temple Garden - Seikenji is a Buddhist temple of Rinzai sect in Okitsu Shizuoka. Seikenji’’s origins began as a result of its location along the ancient Tokaiko Road, leading from Kyoto to Edo Tokyo, as this point was a “sekiisho” or checkpoint along the way. It is considered to be a good place to view the moon especially in the past when it had an unobstructed view of overlooking Suruga Bay. There are statues of 500 disciples, worn and weathered with age, leading up the hill as well as a plum tree planted by Tokugawa-Ieyasu. Seikenji garden was built in the 18th Century, and has been designated as a scenic spot of Japan.  Seikenji is believed to have been founded in the 7th century during the Kamakura Period along the historic Tokaido Road. From a passage at the rear of the  temple’s interior, and inner tatami rooms overlooking the garden, which are the best vantage points to view the exquisitely landscaped Zen garden.  When Tokugawa-Ieyasu was a child, he was sent Seikenji as a refuge of the Imagawa Family.
    seikenji-garden-15.jpg
  • Seikenji Temple Garden - Seikenji is a Buddhist temple of Rinzai sect in Okitsu Shizuoka. Seikenji’’s origins began as a result of its location along the ancient Tokaiko Road, leading from Kyoto to Edo Tokyo, as this point was a “sekiisho” or checkpoint along the way. It is considered to be a good place to view the moon especially in the past when it had an unobstructed view of overlooking Suruga Bay. There are statues of 500 disciples, worn and weathered with age, leading up the hill as well as a plum tree planted by Tokugawa-Ieyasu. Seikenji garden was built in the 18th Century, and has been designated as a scenic spot of Japan.  Seikenji is believed to have been founded in the 7th century during the Kamakura Period along the historic Tokaido Road. From a passage at the rear of the  temple’s interior, and inner tatami rooms overlooking the garden, which are the best vantage points to view the exquisitely landscaped Zen garden.  When Tokugawa-Ieyasu was a child, he was sent Seikenji as a refuge of the Imagawa Family.
    seikenji-garden-5.jpg
  • Seikenji Temple Garden - Seikenji is a Buddhist temple of Rinzai sect in Okitsu Shizuoka. Seikenji’’s origins began as a result of its location along the ancient Tokaiko Road, leading from Kyoto to Edo Tokyo, as this point was a “sekiisho” or checkpoint along the way. It is considered to be a good place to view the moon especially in the past when it had an unobstructed view of overlooking Suruga Bay. There are statues of 500 disciples, worn and weathered with age, leading up the hill as well as a plum tree planted by Tokugawa-Ieyasu. Seikenji garden was built in the 18th Century, and has been designated as a scenic spot of Japan.  Seikenji is believed to have been founded in the 7th century during the Kamakura Period along the historic Tokaido Road. From a passage at the rear of the  temple’s interior, and inner tatami rooms overlooking the garden, which are the best vantage points to view the exquisitely landscaped Zen garden.  When Tokugawa-Ieyasu was a child, he was sent Seikenji as a refuge of the Imagawa Family.
    seikenji-garden-3.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and screams.  The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-3.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams. The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-7.jpg
  • Seikenji Temple Garden - Seikenji is a Buddhist temple of Rinzai sect in Okitsu Shizuoka. Seikenji’’s origins began as a result of its location along the ancient Tokaiko Road, leading from Kyoto to Edo Tokyo, as this point was a “sekiisho” or checkpoint along the way. It is considered to be a good place to view the moon especially in the past when it had an unobstructed view of overlooking Suruga Bay. There are statues of 500 disciples, worn and weathered with age, leading up the hill as well as a plum tree planted by Tokugawa-Ieyasu. Seikenji garden was built in the 18th Century, and has been designated as a scenic spot of Japan.  Seikenji is believed to have been founded in the 7th century during the Kamakura Period along the historic Tokaido Road. From a passage at the rear of the  temple’s interior, and inner tatami rooms overlooking the garden, which are the best vantage points to view the exquisitely landscaped Zen garden.  When Tokugawa-Ieyasu was a child, he was sent Seikenji as a refuge of the Imagawa Family.
    seikenji-garden-1.jpg
  • Seikenji Temple Garden - Seikenji is a Buddhist temple of Rinzai sect in Okitsu Shizuoka. Seikenji’’s origins began as a result of its location along the ancient Tokaiko Road, leading from Kyoto to Edo Tokyo, as this point was a “sekiisho” or checkpoint along the way. It is considered to be a good place to view the moon especially in the past when it had an unobstructed view of overlooking Suruga Bay. There are statues of 500 disciples, worn and weathered with age, leading up the hill as well as a plum tree planted by Tokugawa-Ieyasu. Seikenji garden was built in the 18th Century, and has been designated as a scenic spot of Japan.  Seikenji is believed to have been founded in the 7th century during the Kamakura Period along the historic Tokaido Road. From a passage at the rear of the  temple’s interior, and inner tatami rooms overlooking the garden, which are the best vantage points to view the exquisitely landscaped Zen garden.  When Tokugawa-Ieyasu was a child, he was sent Seikenji as a refuge of the Imagawa Family.
    seikenji-garden-2.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-1.jpg
  • Seikenji Temple Garden - Seikenji is a Buddhist temple of Rinzai sect in Okitsu Shizuoka. Seikenji’’s origins began as a result of its location along the ancient Tokaiko Road, leading from Kyoto to Edo Tokyo, as this point was a “sekiisho” or checkpoint along the way. It is considered to be a good place to view the moon especially in the past when it had an unobstructed view of overlooking Suruga Bay. There are statues of 500 disciples, worn and weathered with age, leading up the hill as well as a plum tree planted by Tokugawa-Ieyasu. Seikenji garden was built in the 18th Century, and has been designated as a scenic spot of Japan.  Seikenji is believed to have been founded in the 7th century during the Kamakura Period along the historic Tokaido Road. From a passage at the rear of the  temple’s interior, and inner tatami rooms overlooking the garden, which are the best vantage points to view the exquisitely landscaped Zen garden.  When Tokugawa-Ieyasu was a child, he was sent Seikenji as a refuge of the Imagawa Family.
    seikenji-garden-14.jpg
  • Seikenji Temple Garden - Seikenji is a Buddhist temple of Rinzai sect in Okitsu Shizuoka. Seikenji’’s origins began as a result of its location along the ancient Tokaiko Road, leading from Kyoto to Edo Tokyo, as this point was a “sekiisho” or checkpoint along the way. It is considered to be a good place to view the moon especially in the past when it had an unobstructed view of overlooking Suruga Bay. There are statues of 500 disciples, worn and weathered with age, leading up the hill as well as a plum tree planted by Tokugawa-Ieyasu. Seikenji garden was built in the 18th Century, and has been designated as a scenic spot of Japan.  Seikenji is believed to have been founded in the 7th century during the Kamakura Period along the historic Tokaido Road. From a passage at the rear of the  temple’s interior, and inner tatami rooms overlooking the garden, which are the best vantage points to view the exquisitely landscaped Zen garden.  When Tokugawa-Ieyasu was a child, he was sent Seikenji as a refuge of the Imagawa Family.
    seikenji-garden-17.jpg
  • Seikenji Temple Garden - Seikenji is a Buddhist temple of Rinzai sect in Okitsu Shizuoka. Seikenji’’s origins began as a result of its location along the ancient Tokaiko Road, leading from Kyoto to Edo Tokyo, as this point was a “sekiisho” or checkpoint along the way. It is considered to be a good place to view the moon especially in the past when it had an unobstructed view of overlooking Suruga Bay. There are statues of 500 disciples, worn and weathered with age, leading up the hill as well as a plum tree planted by Tokugawa-Ieyasu. Seikenji garden was built in the 18th Century, and has been designated as a scenic spot of Japan.  Seikenji is believed to have been founded in the 7th century during the Kamakura Period along the historic Tokaido Road. From a passage at the rear of the  temple’s interior, and inner tatami rooms overlooking the garden, which are the best vantage points to view the exquisitely landscaped Zen garden.  When Tokugawa-Ieyasu was a child, he was sent Seikenji as a refuge of the Imagawa Family.
    seikenji-garden-10.jpg
  • Banryutei Stone Garden - Kongobuji is the head temple of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, at Koyasan.  Its name means "Temple of the Diamond Mountain" and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple's modern Banryutei rock garden is Japan's largest Zen Garden with 140 granite stones arranged to suggest dragons emerging from clouds to protect the temple.
    banryutei-garden-6.jpg
  • Raikyu-ji Temple Garden at Tenchu-zan Ankoku Raikyu-ji - When the governor of the area died he was succeeded to the post by his son Kobori Enshu who is considered to be one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony as well as his fame as a garden designer. Kobori lived at the temple, is said to have built the present zen garden.  It was designed in the "Horai style" to emphasize spiritual peace and harmony in its composition and in the consciousness of the viewer using nearby Mount Atago in the background to form a shakkei "borrowed scenery". The garden is also known as Tsurukame Garden because of the two stone islands in the garden named Crane and Tortoise.  Although it was completed in 1609  the abbots of the temple have maintained the garden in its original form in honour of its designer. This Japanese rock garden called karesansui, which uses no water and instead uses stones and sand to express a natural landscape, has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty. Raikyuji Temple Garden has even been awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
    raikyu-ji-garden-10.jpg
  • Raikyu-ji Temple Garden at Tenchu-zan Ankoku Raikyu-ji - When the governor of the area died he was succeeded to the post by his son Kobori Enshu who is considered to be one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony as well as his fame as a garden designer. Kobori lived at the temple, is said to have built the present zen garden.  It was designed in the "Horai style" to emphasize spiritual peace and harmony in its composition and in the consciousness of the viewer using nearby Mount Atago in the background to form a shakkei "borrowed scenery". The garden is also known as Tsurukame Garden because of the two stone islands in the garden named Crane and Tortoise.  Although it was completed in 1609  the abbots of the temple have maintained the garden in its original form in honour of its designer. This Japanese rock garden called karesansui, which uses no water and instead uses stones and sand to express a natural landscape, has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty. Raikyuji Temple Garden has even been awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
    raikyu-ji-garden-9.jpg
  • Raikyu-ji Temple Garden at Tenchu-zan Ankoku Raikyu-ji - When the governor of the area died he was succeeded to the post by his son Kobori Enshu who is considered to be one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony as well as his fame as a garden designer. Kobori lived at the temple, is said to have built the present zen garden.  It was designed in the "Horai style" to emphasize spiritual peace and harmony in its composition and in the consciousness of the viewer using nearby Mount Atago in the background to form a shakkei "borrowed scenery". The garden is also known as Tsurukame Garden because of the two stone islands in the garden named Crane and Tortoise.  Although it was completed in 1609  the abbots of the temple have maintained the garden in its original form in honour of its designer. This Japanese rock garden called karesansui, which uses no water and instead uses stones and sand to express a natural landscape, has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty. Raikyuji Temple Garden has even been awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
    raikyu-ji-garden-5.jpg
  • Raikyu-ji Temple Garden at Tenchu-zan Ankoku Raikyu-ji - When the governor of the area died he was succeeded to the post by his son Kobori Enshu who is considered to be one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony as well as his fame as a garden designer. Kobori lived at the temple, is said to have built the present zen garden.  It was designed in the "Horai style" to emphasize spiritual peace and harmony in its composition and in the consciousness of the viewer using nearby Mount Atago in the background to form a shakkei "borrowed scenery". The garden is also known as Tsurukame Garden because of the two stone islands in the garden named Crane and Tortoise.  Although it was completed in 1609  the abbots of the temple have maintained the garden in its original form in honour of its designer. This Japanese rock garden called karesansui, which uses no water and instead uses stones and sand to express a natural landscape, has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty. Raikyuji Temple Garden has even been awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
    raikyu-ji-garden-1.jpg
  • Raikyu-ji Temple Garden at Tenchu-zan Ankoku Raikyu-ji - When the governor of the area died he was succeeded to the post by his son Kobori Enshu who is considered to be one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony as well as his fame as a garden designer. Kobori lived at the temple, is said to have built the present zen garden.  It was designed in the "Horai style" to emphasize spiritual peace and harmony in its composition and in the consciousness of the viewer using nearby Mount Atago in the background to form a shakkei "borrowed scenery". The garden is also known as Tsurukame Garden because of the two stone islands in the garden named Crane and Tortoise.  Although it was completed in 1609  the abbots of the temple have maintained the garden in its original form in honour of its designer. This Japanese rock garden called karesansui, which uses no water and instead uses stones and sand to express a natural landscape, has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty. Raikyuji Temple Garden has even been awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
    raikyu-ji-garden-2.jpg
  • Ohori Dry Garden - Fukuoka’s Ohori Japanese strolling garden was built in 1979 to mark the park’s 50th anniversary. The garden is made up of hills, trees groves and ponds. It was constructed with traditional gardening techniques although it is relatively new. A winding stream, a dry Zen garden, and a teahouse along with its adjacent garden are laid out around the highlights of the venue.  Ohori Garden is one of the finest examples of modern Japanese gardening to date.
    ohori-garden-15.jpg
  • Ohori Dry Garden - Fukuoka’s Ohori Japanese strolling garden was built in 1979 to mark the park’s 50th anniversary. The garden is made up of hills, trees groves and ponds. It was constructed with traditional gardening techniques although it is relatively new. A winding stream, a dry Zen garden, and a teahouse along with its adjacent garden are laid out around the highlights of the venue.  Ohori Garden is one of the finest examples of modern Japanese gardening to date.
    ohori-garden-16.jpg
  • Tenju-an is one of many sub temples at Nanzenji and was built in 1336 to commemorate the founding of Nanzenji in the previous century.  There are two gardens within the compound, though the more famous and impresive of the two is the zen rock garden or karesansui.
    tenju-an-garden-1.jpg
  • Banryutei Stone Garden - Kongobuji is the head temple of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, at Koyasan.  Its name means "Temple of the Diamond Mountain" and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple's modern Banryutei rock garden is Japan's largest Zen Garden with 140 granite stones arranged to suggest dragons emerging from clouds to protect the temple.
    banryutei-garden-6.jpg
  • Banryutei rock garden is Japan's largest Zen Garden with 140 granite stones arranged to suggest dragons emerging from clouds to protect the temple.
    banryutei-garden-2.jpg
  • Banryutei rock garden at Kongobuji Temple is Japan's largest Zen Garden with one hundred and forty granite rocks arranged so as to suggest dragons emerging from clouds in order to protect the temple.
    banryutei-garden-1.jpg
  • Korin-in was a family temple of the Maeda Family. The main temple, the front gate and the entry gates are designated Important Cultural Properties by the Japanese government and are typical Zen style architecture in the Muromachi period.
    korin-in-garden-2.jpg
  • Shogo-in Garden - Shogo-in Monzeki - After repeated relocations due to fires such as the Onin War in the Muromachi periodthe temple moved to its current location in the early Edo period.The temple and its gardens are only open a few weeks per year usually in autumn, and besides its large dry karesansui garden, there are moss gardens behind the main hall.This is the head temple of the Honzan sect of the Shugendo religion which was founded by the ascetic and mystic En-no-Gyoja. Shogo-in Monzeki Temple is also known for the fact that it served as the Monzeki Temple for generations of the imperial family and imperial court. The temple also once served as the temporary living quarters for Emperor Kokaku when the imperial palace was damaged by a fire. Monzeki temples were where the royal family serve as the head priest. Shogo-in Monzeki has another side; a more beautiful side. The temple hall, known as the shinden, houses over 100 sliding doors beautifully painted by Edo Period painter Masunobu Kano, and Kano Eino, the third heir to the Kyogano Kyoto school of Kano painting. Shugendo is an ancient Japanese religion based on mountain religions and seeks to attain Buddhist enlightenment through grueling mountainous training
    shogo-in-garden-03.jpg
  • Shogo-in Garden - Shogo-in Monzeki - After repeated relocations due to fires such as the Onin War in the Muromachi periodthe temple moved to its current location in the early Edo period.The temple and its gardens are only open a few weeks per year usually in autumn, and besides its large dry karesansui garden, there are moss gardens behind the main hall.This is the head temple of the Honzan sect of the Shugendo religion which was founded by the ascetic and mystic En-no-Gyoja. Shogo-in Monzeki Temple is also known for the fact that it served as the Monzeki Temple for generations of the imperial family and imperial court. The temple also once served as the temporary living quarters for Emperor Kokaku when the imperial palace was damaged by a fire. Monzeki temples were where the royal family serve as the head priest. Shogo-in Monzeki has another side; a more beautiful side. The temple hall, known as the shinden, houses over 100 sliding doors beautifully painted by Edo Period painter Masunobu Kano, and Kano Eino, the third heir to the Kyogano Kyoto school of Kano painting. Shugendo is an ancient Japanese religion based on mountain religions and seeks to attain Buddhist enlightenment through grueling mountainous training
    shogo-in-garden-02.jpg
  • Otani Garden grounds were once part of Japanese noble Kiyomasa Kato’s estate. The garden and palace came to be known as Prince Fushimi Palace. After World War II, ownership was taken by Yonetaro Otani, a sumo wrestler and founder of the New Otani Hotel, who created the present garden.  Otani Garden is known for its waterfall, thoughtfully laid out trails and cherry trees, all of which makes visitors forget that one is in the center of one of the world’s largest cities.
    otani-garden-15.jpg
  • Otani Garden grounds were once part of Japanese noble Kiyomasa Kato’s estate. The garden and palace came to be known as Prince Fushimi Palace. After World War II, ownership was taken by Yonetaro Otani, a sumo wrestler and founder of the New Otani Hotel, who created the present garden.  Otani Garden is known for its waterfall, thoughtfully laid out trails and cherry trees, all of which makes visitors forget that one is in the center of one of the world’s largest cities.
    otani-garden-16.jpg
  • Otani Garden grounds were once part of Japanese noble Kiyomasa Kato’s estate. The garden and palace came to be known as Prince Fushimi Palace. After World War II, ownership was taken by Yonetaro Otani, a sumo wrestler and founder of the New Otani Hotel, who created the present garden.  Otani Garden is known for its waterfall, thoughtfully laid out trails and cherry trees, all of which makes visitors forget that one is in the center of one of the world’s largest cities.
    otani-garden-10.jpg
  • Fukugonji Temple Garden is usually overlooked by visitors to the Shonan - Kamakura area.  One reason for this is that its main attraction is its garden, which is normally not open to the public except for a peek through the fence.  Fukugonji is a temple of the Rinzai sect of  Buddhist and its full official name is  Tokuniyayama Fukuzenzenji.  Behind the gate there is a plaque with the carved info:  "May, 2013, Yoshitatsu founding 800th anniversary" which indicates that this is an ancient temple. From the main gate there is a large bell hanging  on the second floor.  Fukugenzenji was founded during the Muromachi period as the bodhisattva temple of Yoshie Nagae, who was active in this area during the Kamakura period.
    Fukugonji-Garden-08.jpg
  • Fukugonji Temple Garden is usually overlooked by visitors to the Shonan - Kamakura area.  One reason for this is that its main attraction is its garden, which is normally not open to the public except for a peek through the fence.  Fukugonji is a temple of the Rinzai sect of  Buddhist and its full official name is  Tokuniyayama Fukuzenzenji.  Behind the gate there is a plaque with the carved info:  "May, 2013, Yoshitatsu founding 800th anniversary" which indicates that this is an ancient temple. From the main gate there is a large bell hanging  on the second floor.  Fukugenzenji was founded during the Muromachi period as the bodhisattva temple of Yoshie Nagae, who was active in this area during the Kamakura period.
    Fukugonji-Garden-05.jpg
  • Fukugonji Temple Garden is usually overlooked by visitors to the Shonan - Kamakura area.  One reason for this is that its main attraction is its garden, which is normally not open to the public except for a peek through the fence.  Fukugonji is a temple of the Rinzai sect of  Buddhist and its full official name is  Tokuniyayama Fukuzenzenji.  Behind the gate there is a plaque with the carved info:  "May, 2013, Yoshitatsu founding 800th anniversary" which indicates that this is an ancient temple. From the main gate there is a large bell hanging  on the second floor.  Fukugenzenji was founded during the Muromachi period as the bodhisattva temple of Yoshie Nagae, who was active in this area during the Kamakura period.
    Fukugonji-Garden-04.jpg
  • Fukugonji Temple Garden is usually overlooked by visitors to the Shonan - Kamakura area.  One reason for this is that its main attraction is its garden, which is normally not open to the public except for a peek through the fence.  Fukugonji is a temple of the Rinzai sect of  Buddhist and its full official name is  Tokuniyayama Fukuzenzenji.  Behind the gate there is a plaque with the carved info:  "May, 2013, Yoshitatsu founding 800th anniversary" which indicates that this is an ancient temple. From the main gate there is a large bell hanging  on the second floor.  Fukugenzenji was founded during the Muromachi period as the bodhisattva temple of Yoshie Nagae, who was active in this area during the Kamakura period.
    Fukugonji-Garden-02.jpg
  • Otani Garden grounds were once part of Japanese noble Kiyomasa Kato’s estate. The garden and palace came to be known as Prince Fushimi Palace. After World War II, ownership was taken by Yonetaro Otani, a sumo wrestler and founder of the New Otani Hotel, who created the present garden.  Otani Garden is known for its waterfall, thoughtfully laid out trails and cherry trees, all of which makes visitors forget that one is in the center of one of the world’s largest cities.
    otani-garden-11.jpg
  • Hase-Dera Garden - Since the year 736, Hase-Dera Temple has been known as the 4th station among the 33 holy places in the Kanto area, and one of the main stops for Buddhist pilgrims in Kamakura, situated down the street from the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Hase-Dera has landscaped Japanese gardens, a giant prayer wheel, jizo caves, a bamboo grove and a vegetarian restaurant up the hill with a bird-eye view of Kamakura and the Shonan Coast.
    hasedera-garden-01.jpg
  • Fukugonji Temple Garden is usually overlooked by visitors to the Shonan - Kamakura area.  One reason for this is that its main attraction is its garden, which is normally not open to the public except for a peek through the fence.  Fukugonji is a temple of the Rinzai sect of  Buddhist and its full official name is  Tokuniyayama Fukuzenzenji.  Behind the gate there is a plaque with the carved info:  "May, 2013, Yoshitatsu founding 800th anniversary" which indicates that this is an ancient temple. From the main gate there is a large bell hanging  on the second floor.  Fukugenzenji was founded during the Muromachi period as the bodhisattva temple of Yoshie Nagae, who was active in this area during the Kamakura period.
    Fukugonji-Garden-01.jpg
  • Hase-Dera Garden - Since the year 736, Hase-Dera Temple has been known as the 4th station among the 33 holy places in the Kanto area, and one of the main stops for Buddhist pilgrims in Kamakura, situated down the street from the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Hase-Dera has landscaped Japanese gardens, a giant prayer wheel, jizo caves, a bamboo grove and a vegetarian restaurant up the hill with a bird-eye view of Kamakura and the Shonan Coast.
    hasedera-garden-06.jpg
  • Hase-Dera Garden - Since the year 736, Hase-Dera Temple has been known as the 4th station among the 33 holy places in the Kanto area, and one of the main stops for Buddhist pilgrims in Kamakura, situated down the street from the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Hase-Dera has landscaped Japanese gardens, a giant prayer wheel, jizo caves, a bamboo grove and a vegetarian restaurant up the hill with a bird-eye view of Kamakura and the Shonan Coast.
    hasedera-garden-03.jpg
  • The Singapore Japanese Garden is based on Japanese gardens from the Muromachi period (1392 – 1568) to the Momoyama period (1568 – 1615).  The garden  includes  a karesansui dry garden which exudes a sense of peace and tranquility with its minimalist and abstract design.  The garden is made up of arched bridges, stone lantern and ponds faithfully recreating traditional Japanese gardening style. The Singapore Japanese Garden is within the Chinese Garden complex, also known as Jurong Gardens, was made  in 1975 and designed by Prof. Yuen-chen Yu, an architect from Taiwan,. The garden’s concept is based on the integration of architectural features within the natural environment. The garden is modeled along the northern Chinese imperial styles of landscaping.  In Chinese gardens, bridges play a critical role and the most important structures may denote a specific character.
    singapore-japanese-garden-4.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-10.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
  • 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-7.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-3.jpg
  • Nanshuji Temple in Sakai Osaka - The legacy of Sen no Rikyu is honored at Nanshuji Temple where there is a teahouse in the simple, rustic style. Sen no Rikyu, tea ceremony master laid foundations that continue to influence Japanese arts and philosophy to the present day.  This beautiful dry landscape garden was created in the early Edo Period and is a nationally designated place of scenic beauty in Japan.
    nanshuji-garden-5.jpg
  • Nanshuji Temple in Sakai Osaka - Sen no Rikyu, tea ceremony master laid foundations that continue to influence Japanese arts and philosophy to the present day.  The legacy of Sen no Rikyu is honored at Nanshuji Temple where there is a teahouse in the simple, rustic style.  with a dry karesansui garden adjacent.  This beautiful dry landscape garden was created in the early Edo Period and is a nationally designated place of scenic beauty in Japan.
    nanshuji-garden-4.jpg
  • Nanshuji Temple in Sakai Osaka - Sen no Rikyu, tea ceremony master laid foundations that continue to influence Japanese arts and philosophy to the present day.  The legacy of Sen no Rikyu is honored at Nanshuji Temple where there is a teahouse in the simple, rustic style.  with a dry karesansui garden adjacent.  This beautiful dry landscape garden was created in the early Edo Period and is a nationally designated place of scenic beauty in Japan.
    nanshuji-garden-2.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-6.jpg
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