Gardens

Sankeien Japanese garden in Yokohama by Real Japanese Gardens

Sankei-en(三溪園)

A Modern Garden Preserving Japan’s Architectural Heritage Sankei-en is a spacious traditional Japanese landscape garden located in Yokohama. Though ... Read more
Rikugien Garden in Tokyo by Real Japanese Gardens

Rikugien(六義園 )

A Classical Edo-Period Garden Rooted in Poetry Rikugien(六義園)is one of Tokyo’s most elegant and refined Edo-period strolling gardens, located in the ... Read more
Ryoan-ji Temple by Real Japanese Gardens

Ryoan-ji(龍安寺)

Japan’s Iconic Zen Rock Garden of Mystery and Balance Ryōan-ji is perhaps Japan’s most famous rock garden. The site originally belonged to the ... Read more
Happoen garden in Tokyo by Real Japanese Gardens

Happo-en(八芳園)

A Wedding Garden with Centuries of History Located in Tokyo’s Shirokanedai district, Happō-en blends timeless natural beauty with elegant modern use. ... Read more
Kencho-ji temple Japanese Garden in Kamakura

Kencho-ji(建長寺)

Japan’s Oldest Zen Monastery and a Garden of the Mind Kenchō-ji (建長寺) is the oldest Zen training monastery in Japan and holds the highest rank among ... Read more
Erin-ji by Real Japanese Gardens

Erin-ji(恵林寺)

Zen Gardens and Samurai History Erin-ji Temple in Yamanashi is a quiet yet historically significant Zen temple, surrounded by the peaceful beauty of ... Read more
Ryokan Ryugon by Real Japanese Gardens in Niigata prefecture Yukiguni

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 ... Read more
Tōji-in garden with pond and tea house on a hill

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 ... Read more
View on the veranda and pond in the garden at Ninna-ji temple in Kyoto.

Ninna-ji(仁和寺)

Kyoto’s Imperial Temple with Elegant Gardens and Shinden Architecture Founded in 888 during the Heian period, Ninna-ji is one of Kyoto’s most ... Read more
View of Tenryū-ji garden with central pond and seasonal foliage in Kyoto, Japan

Tenryu-ji(天龍寺)

Discover an UNESCO World Heritage Temple in Kyoto Tenryū-ji is one of Kyoto’s most important Zen temples. It sits in the scenic Arashiyama district, ... Read more
Entsū-ji Zen dry garden with carefully trimmed hedges.

Entsu-ji(圓通寺)

A Zen Temple Framed by Nature’s Beauty Entsū-ji is a serene Zen Buddhist temple in northern Kyoto, known for its famous borrowed scenery (shakkei) ... Read more
Shōmyō-ji with pond and red bridge.

Shomyo-ji(称名寺)

A Pure Land Garden Temple in Yokohama Shōmyō-ji(称名寺) is a peaceful Buddhist temple located in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. Founded ... Read more
Murin-an strolling garden with mountain backdrop.

Murin-an(無鄰菴)

A Meiji-Period Strolling Garden in Kyoto Murin-an (無鄰菴) is a beautifully preserved strolling garden from the Meiji period (1868–1912). Built between ... Read more
Shisen-do a place to meditate

Shisen-do(詩仙堂)

A Poet’s Retreat in the Hills of Kyoto Shisen-dō (詩仙堂), nestled in the northern hills of Kyoto, offers a peaceful escape shaped by poetry and nature. ... Read more
Pathway through the mossy garden at Giō-ji in Kyoto

Gio-ji(祇王寺)

A Hidden Gem in Kyoto’s Sagano District Giō-ji is a peaceful temple tucked away in Kyoto’s Sagano district, close to the popular Arashiyama area. ... Read more
Kenroku-en pond view

Kenroku-en(兼六園)

A Masterpiece of Japanese Garden Design Kenroku-en(兼六園)is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, located in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. Built in ... Read more
Nōnin-ji Temple Kyoto

Nonin-ji(能仁寺)

A Tranquil Soto Zen Retreat with Seasonal Beauty Nonin-ji (能仁寺) is a peaceful temple belonging to the Sōtō school of Zen Buddhism. Originally built ... Read more
Framed garden view from the tatami room at Hōsen-in

Hosen-in(宝泉院)

Framed Garden Views and Silent History in Kyoto Hōsen-in(宝泉院)is a peaceful sub-temple of Shōrin-in, located in Kyoto’s rural Ohara district. This ... Read more
View of the path leading to Jizō-in Temple

Jizo-in(地蔵院)

A Quiet Bamboo Sanctuary Steps from Kyoto’s Famous Moss Temple Jizō-in(地蔵院) is a hidden gem in Kyoto’s Arashiyama area. Also known as Take-no-tera ... Read more
View of Sanzen-in garden showing the pond and main building. Green bushes surround the pond.

Sanzen-in(三千院)

Laughing Buddhas and Autumn Beauty in Ohara’s Moss Garden Located in the tranquil village of Ohara, just north of Kyoto, Sanzen-in offers a serene ... Read more
Island pond at Kajū-ji temple with water lilies and lotus.

Kaju-ji(勧修寺)

A Tranquil Temple Garden Steeped in Imperial Heritage Nestled in Kyoto’s Yamashina district, Kajū-ji, also read as Kanshu-ji, invites visitors into a ... Read more
Building and outside wall of the Kōsei-in temple in Kyoto

Kosei-in(廣誠院)

A Hidden Zen Gem with Serene Garden Views in Kyoto Tucked away in central Kyoto, Kōsei-in is a small but refined Zen temple of the Rinzai school. ... Read more
Large pond at Jōruri-ji reflecting autumn colors

Joruri-ji(浄瑠璃寺)

A Serene Pure Land Temple with a Historic Pond Garden Jōruri-ji(浄瑠璃寺) is a peaceful Buddhist temple located in the countryside near Kyoto. Jōruri-ji ... Read more
Chion in Hojo Garden

Chion-in(知恩院)

Spiritual Center of the Pure Land Sect Chion-in(知恩院) stands proudly in Kyoto as the head temple of the Jōdo-shū (Pure Land Sect of Buddhism). Founded ... Read more
Sengan-en garden view with Sakurajima volcano in background.

Sengan-en(仙巌園)

Borrowed Scenery and Samurai Heritage in Kagoshima Sengan-en (仙巌園) in Kagoshima offers breathtaking views of Sakurajima volcano and Kinkō Bay. Built ... Read more
Raikyu-ji Zen Garden.

Raikyu-ji(頼久寺)

A Tranquil Zen Retreat in Takahashi Located in the charming town of Takahashi, Okayama Prefecture, Raikyū-ji Temple offers a peaceful escape into the ... Read more
Shinsengumi memorial stone at Mibu-dera Temple. A monument honors the Shinsengumi samurai, who trained at Mibu-dera in the 1860s. A stone marker surrounded by small flags and incense, commemorating the historic samurai group.

Mibu-dera(壬生寺)

Resilience and Renewal in Kyoto Mibu-dera is one of Kyoto’s oldest temples, with a history dating back to the year 991. It was founded by the monk ... Read more
Fushin-an Omotesenke Tea House by Real Japanese Gardens

Fushin-an(不審庵)

The Heart of the Omotesenke Tea School in Kyoto Fushin-an (不審庵) is the historical tea house at the center of the Omotesenke school, one of the three ... Read more
Kankyu-an by Real Japanese Gardens

Kankyu-an(官休庵)

The Hidden Tea House of the Mushanokōji-senke School Kankyū-an is the historic tea house of the Mushanokōji-senke, one of the three main schools of ... Read more
Shuraku-en

Shuraku-en(衆楽園)

Daimyo Garden Beauty in Tsuyama Located in Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture, Shūraku-en (衆楽園) is a serene pond-strolling garden originally created ... Read more