Nice place Ryoan-ji really should be at the top of your Kyoto itinerary. There aren't many sight, just a small rock garden, a smaller moss garden, and an even smaller wells. Plus a pond and some trails. It's kind of out of the way, and neither as showy nor as populay as Kinkaku-hi (the Gold Pavilion). But Ryoan-ji is serene, and it's raked rock garden is a tiny gem, and one of the most famous gardens in the world. There was a nice calligraphy exhibition while I was there. Take time out from your busy sight-seeing schedule, sit in front of the garden for 20 minutes or so, thinking of nothing at all, wander the paths with no destination in mind, and leave feeling refreshed.Ryoan-ji really should be at the top of your Kyoto itinerary. There aren't many sight, just a small rock garden, a smaller moss garden, and an even smaller wells. Plus a pond and some trails. It's kind of out of the way, and neither as showy nor as populay as Kinkaku-hi (the Gold Pavilion). But Ryoan-ji is serene, and it's raked rock garden is a tiny gem, and one of the most famous gardens in the world. There was a nice calligraphy exhibition while I was there. Take time out from your busy sight-seeing schedule, sit in front of the garden for 20 minutes or so, thinking of nothing at all, wander the paths with no destination in mind, and leave...
Read moreRyoan-ji Hōjō Teien (龍安寺方丈庭院) is one of Japan’s most famous Zen gardens, located at Ryoan-ji Temple in Kyoto. This iconic karesansui (dry landscape) garden features 15 carefully arranged rocks set in a bed of meticulously raked white gravel, creating a serene and contemplative atmosphere. Designed to inspire meditation, its precise composition follows Zen principles of simplicity and balance. A unique aspect is that from any viewpoint, at least one rock is always hidden from sight. The garden, dating back to the 15th century, remains a masterpiece of Japanese aesthetics and philosophy. Visitors from around the world admire its harmony and mysterious beauty, making it a cultural...
Read moreRyoan-ji really should be at the top of your Kyoto itinerary. There aren't many sight, just a small rock garden, a smaller moss garden, and an even smaller wells. Plus a pond and some trails. It's kind of out of the way, and neither as showy nor as populay as Kinkaku-hi (the Gold Pavilion). But Ryoan-ji is serene, and it's raked rock garden is a tiny gem, and one of the most famous gardens in the world. There was a nice calligraphy exhibition while I was there. Take time out from your busy sight-seeing schedule, sit in front of the garden for 20 minutes or so, thinking of nothing at all, wander the paths with no destination in mind, and leave...
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