Mirei Shigemori Garden Museum（重森三玲邸）
A bold fusion of modern garden design and Edo-period tradition in the heart of Kyoto Hidden in Kyoto’s quiet Sakyo Ward, the Mirei Shigemori Garden Museum offers a unique blend of tradition and innovation. The house itself is a machiya—a wooden townhouse built in 1789, during the late Edo period. In 1943, Mirei Shigemori, one […]
Komyo-in (Tofuku-ji)（光明院）
A Hidden Zen Gem with Shigemori’s Masterpiece Garden Kōmyō-in, a peaceful sub-temple of Tōfuku-ji in Kyoto, was founded in 1391 during the Muromachi period by Kinzan Myōshō, a respected Rinzai Zen monk. Although some temple buildings were destroyed during the anti-Buddhist movement in the Meiji era, the temple was restored by 1911. In 1939, the […]
Zuiho-in (Daitoku-ji)（瑞峯院）
A Zen Garden Rooted in Christian History Zuihō-in, part of the Daitoku-ji temple complex in Kyoto, stands out not only for its striking gardens but also for its unusual origins. It was founded in 1546 by Ōtomo Sōrin, a powerful Christian daimyo, as his family temple. Remarkably, Zuihō-in still preserves its original architecture, having survived […]
Tokyo National Museum（東京国立博物館）
A hidden garden filled with history and traditional teahouses The Tokyo National Museum Garden in Ueno Park offers more than just seasonal beauty. It also preserves five historic buildings, each relocated from various parts of Japan. One highlight is Tengōan (転合庵), a teahouse originally designed in Kyoto by the famous tea master Kobori Enshū (小堀遠州). […]
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 […]
Ryugon （龍言）
Luxury ryokan in Niigata combining tradition and refined modern design Ryugon is one of the most iconic guesthouses in Japan, located in Niigata’s Snow Country. While it now operates as a luxury ryokan, its roots lie in a deep respect for traditional Japanese architecture. The story begins in 1964, when Utsugi Toshio, the founder, returned […]
Reiun-in (Tofuku-ji)（霊雲院 東福寺）
A Serene Zen Garden Revival at Tōfuku-ji Reiun-in, a tranquil sub-temple of Kyoto’s Tōfuku-ji complex, embodies the quiet beauty and meditative spirit of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. Founded in 1526 during the Muromachi period, it offers a unique journey through time, architecture, and landscape design. The gardens, originally created in 1543, had once fallen into neglect. […]
Tofuku-ji – Garden of the Hojo（東福寺）
Discover the Temple and the Garden of the Hōjō Tōfuku-ji is one of Kyoto’s Five Great Zen Temples. Located in southern Kyoto, it is a large temple complex with 24 sub-temples. The temple has deep roots in Zen Buddhism and continues to attract visitors from all over the world. The temple was founded in 1236 […]
Kennin-ji （建仁寺）
Kyoto’s Oldest Zen Temple and Its Symbolic Gardens Kennin-ji, founded in 1202, stands as Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple. Located in the Gion district, this temple is not only historically significant but also a key spiritual site in Kyoto. It ranks among the Five Great Zen Temples (Gozan system), which formed the foundation of Zen Buddhism […]
Ryogin-an (Tofuku-ji)（龍吟庵）
Where Modern Zen Gardens Meet Ancient Tradition Located within the Tōfuku-ji temple complex in Kyoto, Ryōgin-an (龍吟庵) offers a unique blend of ancient architecture and modern garden design. Therefore, it’s a must-visit for anyone interested in the evolution of Japanese Zen aesthetics. Ryōgin-an began as the residence of the third head priest of Tōfuku-ji, who […]