Jiko-in was founded in 1663 by Sekishu Katagiri to pray for the happiness of his father’s departed soul.  Sekishu Katagiri was a feudal lord of the area who had received… Continue Reading

Tofuku-ji The Hojo is one of main buildings at Tofukuji Temple. Founded in 1235 and reconstructed in 1890.  The gardens are arranged at the four quarters around the building and… Continue Reading

Kōmyō-in is one of Tofuku-ji‘s sub-temples. Founded in 1391, during the Muromachi period by Kinzan Myosho. Above: In 1939, Mirei Shigemori laid out this splendid dry landscape garden in front… Continue Reading

Ryouan-ji (The Temple of the Dragon at Peace) is a Zen temple located in northwest Kyoto. It belongs to the Myōshin-ji school of the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism.  Ryōan-ji… Continue Reading

Kinkaku-ji is registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site.  The garden and buildings, centres on the Golden Pavilion, which represents the “pure land” of Buddha in this world.  The main… Continue Reading

Tenryu-ji was once Kyoto’s leading Zen temple, with extensive grounds and 150 sub temples. It dominated the Arashiyama district where the aristocracy went on leisure outings. Ravaged by fire on… Continue Reading

Nanzen-ji’s spacious grounds are located at the base of Kyoto’s Higashiyama Mountains and is one of the most important Zen temples in Japan. It’s the head temple of one of… Continue Reading

Garden of Suzaku, Umekoji Park (Suzaku-no-Niwa) was built in commemoration of the 1,200th anniversary of establishment of Heian-kyo, the capital of the Heian era.   It features landscaping techniques and methods… Continue Reading

Kouun-ji is a sub-temple of Nanzen-ji, near the south end of the Philosopher’s path.  Founded in 1212 in Osaka, it moved to Kyoto in 1661. The temple used to be… Continue Reading

Wachu-an was built by Hikoshiro Fujii (1876-1956), a textiles business tycoon. It was designed with rich taste and a deep understanding of Japanese culture in mind.  The mansion came into… Continue Reading