5 Japanese-style gardens in Kyoto to appreciate Japanese beauty
The Japanese garden, where visitors can enjoy scenery that changes with the turning seasons, relaxes and soothes the spirit simply by being gazed upon. Here, we introduce five beautiful gardens in the ancient city of Kyoto (京都) that best represent the Japanese aesthetic sense.
1. Ryoan-ji Temple (龍安寺)
(Image credit: KANSAI Tourism Bureau)
Established around 1450, the World Heritage-listed Ryoan-ji Temple (established around 1450) is home to a dry rock garden called the Hojo Garden (方丈庭園 Hōjō-teien), which is famous worldwide. Packed into about 248 square meters of white sand, with 15 rocks of varying sizes arranged within, this renowned garden is truly mysterious—its period of construction, intention, and creator are all unknown. You can enjoy it various ways—gaze upon the mystery with your own interpretation, or resist the temptation to give it any meaning and just bask in the beauty of this minimal space. It’s about 40 minutes by bus from Kyoto Station (京都駅).
Ryoan-ji Temple (龍安寺)
Address: 13 Ryoanji Goryonoshita-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8001
Nearest station: Ryōanji Station (龍安寺駅)
Opening hours: 8am–5pm (March–November), 8:30am–4:30pm (December–February)
Admission fee: ¥500 (Adults & High School Students), ¥300 (Elementary & Junior High School Students)
Tel: +81 75-463-2216
2. Nanzen-ji Temple (南禅寺)
(Image credit: KANSAI Tourism Bureau)
Nanzen-ji, established in 1291, is among the pre-eminent Zen temples in Kyoto. There are several gardens within the temple grounds, offering visitors a taste of different gardens, from a garden built during the Edo Period (1603–1867) to a modern garden built in the 1960s. Especially recommended is their Hojo Garden (方丈庭園 Hōjō-teien), a national designated scenic spot. It is a dry rock garden in which large white stones are arranged in a pleasing and well-balanced manner. On the grounds, there is a space where you can enjoy matcha green tea and Japanese sweets (for a charge) while viewing a small garden where a waterfall cascades, making it a perfect place to relax! It’s about 30 minutes by train from Kyoto Station.
Nanzen-ji Temple (南禅寺)
Address: 86 Nanzenji Fukuchi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8435
Nearest station: Keage Station (蹴上駅)
Opening hours: 8:40am–5pm (March–November), 8:40am–4:30pm (December–February) (Closed on 28–31 December)
Admission fee (Hojo Garden): ¥500 (Adults), ¥400 (High School Students), ¥300 (Elementary & Junior High School Students)
Tel: +81 75-771-0365
3. Tofuku-ji Temple (東福寺)
(Image credit: KANSAI Tourism Bureau)
Tofuku-ji Temple, founded over 760 years ago, is about 15 minutes by train then on foot from Kyoto Station, and is famous for the modern design of its Honbo Garden (本坊庭園 Honbō-teien). This garden is located inside a building in the temple precincts, known as the Hojo (方丈). There are four stylish gardens situated to the east, west, south, and north—for instance, the northern garden boasts paving stones placed in an innovative checkerboard pattern, while the southern garden resonates with the vital energy of its massive rocks. These playful gardens are great spots for taking unique photos!
Tofuku-ji Temple (東福寺)
Address: 15-778 Honmachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0981
Nearest station: Tofukuji Station (東福寺駅)
Opening hours: 9am–4pm (April–October), 8:30am–4pm (November), 9am–3:30pm (December–March)
Admission fee (Honbo Garden): ¥400 (Adults), ¥300 (Elementary & Junior High School Students)
Tel: +81 75-561-0087
4. Kennin-ji Temple (建仁寺)
(Image credit: KANSAI Tourism Bureau)
Kennin-ji, the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto, is about 20 minutes by Kyoto Station by bus. Although it's located in a lively area near Gion, one of Kyoto’s top shopping districts, silence unfolds when you step into the temple precincts. There are several gardens in the temple grounds, such as the Daiou-en (大雄苑), a magnificent dry rock garden in the classic Zen style. If visiting in the fall, when the autumnal foliage is beautiful, or when the fresh green is dazzling in early summer, you should definitely visit the Cho-on Garden (潮音庭 Chō-on-tei). It's designed to be viewed from all four directions, so you can see the beautiful harmony of maple, moss, and stonework colored with the refreshing green of summer and the crimson of fall!
Kennin-ji Temple (建仁寺)
Address: 584 Komatsucho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0811
Nearest station: Gion-Shijo Station (祇園四条駅)
Opening hours: 10am–5pm (Daily), 1pm–5pm (2 January, 15 May, 15 November) (Closed on 19–20 April, 4–5 June)
Admission fee: ¥600 (Adults), ¥300 (High School Students & Junior High School Students), ¥200 (Elementary School Students), Free (Kids aged 6 and below)
Tel: +81 75-561-6363
Writer’s note: Some areas may not be accessible on the second Friday, Saturday, or Sunday in April (or the 3rd week, depending on the year)
5. Tenryu-ji Temple (天龍寺)
(Image credit: KANSAI Tourism Bureau)
Located about 30 minutes by train and then on foot from Kyoto Station, Tenryu-ji, founded in 1339, is a famous Zen temple registered as a World Heritage Site. It is home to the Sogenchi Garden (曹源池庭園 Sogenchi-teien), which was Japan’s first designated Site of Special Historic and Scenic Importance. Tenryu-ji Temple was hit by eight major fires in the past, but the Sogenchi Garden miraculously survived each disaster, leaving its appearance as it was about 700 years ago. The contrast between the white sand, representing the flow of water, and seasonal expressions such as cherry blossoms, dark green leaves, autumnal leaves, and snow scenes is a highlight. For best views, we recommend viewing from on the verandah of the O-Hojo (大方丈), the largest building in the temple precincts, but please note that a separate ¥300 admission fee is required.
Tenryu-ji Temple (建仁寺)
Address: 68 Sagatenryuji Susukinobaba-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8385
Nearest station: Saga-Arashiyama Station (嵯峨嵐山駅)
Nearest tram station: Keifuku-Dentetsu Arashiyama Station (京福電鉄嵐山駅)
Opening hours: 8:30am–5:30pm (21 March–20 October), 8:30am–5pm (21 October–20 March)
Admission fee (Sogenchi & Hyakka-en Gardens): ¥500 (Adults), ¥300 (High, Junior High, Elementary School Students), Free (Kids aged 6 and below)
Tel: +81 75-881-1235
Writer’s note: Tenryuji's buildings are occasionally closed without notice for special ceremonies and other activities.
Go ahead and spend some quiet time in a beautiful garden that will make you forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Header image credit: KANSAI Tourism Bureau.
This article is contributed by the KANSAI Tourism Bureau. For more information, visit:
All information presented is accurate as of 01/09/2020.
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