Asakura-choso-kan（朝倉彫塑館）
The Sculptor’s Sanctuary in Tokyo’s Yanaka District Asakura Chōso-kan is a hidden gem in Tokyo’s Yanaka district. Once the home and studio of renowned sculptor Fumio Asakura (1883–1964), the building now serves as a museum. It blends Western and Japanese design and houses both artwork and personal relics from the artist’s life. Asakura designed the […]
Kiyosumi Teien（清澄庭園）
A Meiji-Era Garden of Stones and Serenity in Tokyo Nestled in the Fukagawa district of Tokyo, Kiyosumi Teien is a tranquil Japanese stroll garden that seamlessly blends natural beauty with historical significance. Originally part of the Edo-period residence of the wealthy merchant Kinokuniya Bunzaemon, the garden later became the suburban estate of Kuze Yamato no […]
Kyu-Furukawa Teien（旧古河庭園）
A Harmonious Blend of Western Elegance and Japanese Serenity Kyū-Furukawa Teien is a historic garden in Tokyo’s Kita Ward, celebrated for its rare blend of Western architecture and a traditional Japanese landscape. The estate dates back to 1917, when Baron Toranosuke Furukawa, a powerful industrialist, commissioned its construction. Josiah Conder, a British architect who profoundly […]
The Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji)（金閣寺 鹿苑寺）
Kyoto’s Iconic Golden Pavilion and Muromachi Garden Masterpiece Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺), formally known as Rokuon-ji (鹿苑寺), is one of the most famous temples in Japan and a defining symbol of Kyoto’s cultural heritage. The sight of the golden pavilion shimmering above the mirror pond, framed by pine trees and stone islands, creates an image so striking […]
The Silver Pavilion (Ginkaku-ji)（銀閣寺 （慈照寺））
The Silver Pavilion and the Spirit of Wabi-Sabi in Kyoto Ginkaku-ji (銀閣寺), also known as the Silver Pavilion, is one of Kyoto’s most iconic Zen temples. Located on the city’s eastern hills, it was built by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the grandson of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, who commissioned the famous Kinkaku-ji. While its golden counterpart shines with opulence, […]
Hasedera（長谷寺）
Hydrangeas, Kannon, and Ocean Views in Kamakura Nestled in the hills of Kamakura, Hasedera Temple—also known as Hase Kannon—combines sacred history with natural beauty. It is said to be the second oldest temple in the city and serves as the fourth stop on the Kantō thirty-three Kannon pilgrimage. Visitors come not only for spiritual reasons […]
Katsura Rikyu（桂離宮）
An Edo-Period Masterpiece of Architecture, Tea Culture, and Poetic Garden Design Katsura Rikyū (桂離宮), also known as Katsura Imperial Villa or Katsura Detached Palace, is one of Japan’s most important cultural treasures. Built in the early Edo period for Prince Toshihito, the garden reflects his refined literary taste and includes many references to the classic […]
Shugaku-in Rikyu（修学院離宮）
Kyoto’s Imperial Garden Retreat with Spectacular Borrowed Scenery Shūgaku-in Rikyū is a unique imperial garden in Kyoto, featuring three separate gardens rather than a single cohesive layout. These gardens are connected by scenic gravel paths that wind through rice fields and farmland, creating a serene contrast to Kyoto’s more formal palace grounds. In the mid-17th […]
Toji-in（等持院）
A Hidden Temple with Ashikaga Legacy Tōji-in is a peaceful Zen temple tucked away in northern Kyoto. Unlike the city’s more famous sites, it remains largely untouched by tourist crowds. The temple was founded in 1341 by Ashikaga Takauji, the first shogun of the Muromachi period. He commissioned the renowned garden designer and Zen priest […]
Shosei-en (Kikoku-tei) （渉成園）
A Hidden Oasis near Kyoto Station Tucked just a few minutes’ walk from Kyoto Station, Shōsei-en Garden offers a peaceful escape from the city’s constant movement. This historical garden belongs to Higashi-Hongan-ji, one of Kyoto’s most important temples of the True Pure Land School of Buddhism. Shōsei-en traces its origins to the early Heian period […]