Shōren-in(青蓮院)

The beautiful pond garden of the Shoren-in temple in Kyoto
Shōren-in is one of the five Monzeki temples of the Tendai sect located in Kyoto.

Since its sixth head priest Dokaku, until the Meiji period every head priest was a member of the imperial family.

This temple, founded in the late Heian period, has two famous Japanese gardens.
It is said that the main garden with the ryūjin no ike pond was built by Soami during the Muromachi period.
The other garden, kirishima no niwa, was created by Kobori Enshū during the Edo period.

Although it is well known among foreign and local tourists alike, on visiting it gives a tranquil feeling.

Contents of the eBook:
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Buildings
  • Gardens
  • Highlights
  • Anikas Impressions
  • Around Shōren-in

14 pages full of information about the temple
33 pictures of the gardens
PDF 18MB

The eBook is delivered as PDF.

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Directions

How to get there
10 min walk from Tozai Subway Line Higashiyama Station (東山駅) or Bus 206 to Chion-in mae (知恩院前)

Address
JP: 〒605-0035 京都府京都市,東山区粟田口三条坊町69−1
69-1 Awataguchi Sanjobo-cho Higashiyama-ku、Kyoto-shi

Admission
600 Yen

Opening hours
9am to 5pm


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Spider Lily: A Symbol of Life and Death

The Spider Lily is a flower that blooms in Japan each autumn. Its vibrant red petals, curved like spider legs, make it an unmistakable sight in rural and urban landscapes alike. But this flower is more than just a visual highlight—it holds deep symbolic meaning in Japanese culture, representing both life and death.

Tokyo Imperial Palace Ninomaru Gardens(東御苑の二の丸庭園)

The public Japanese garden of the Tokyo Imperial Palace can be found in the secondary circle of defense of the palace, the Ninomaru (second circle).

This is the place where the most important palace buildings once stood. The Edo castle was the residence of the shoguns of the Tokugawa shogunate between 1603 and 1867, but also the Meiji emperor resided here before moving to the Imperial Palace “next door”.

The grounds of the real Imperial Palace are only open to the public on New Years Day and the Emperor’s birthday (February 23).

Contents of the eBook
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Highlights
  • Wall building types
  • How to visit
  • Anikas Impressions
  • Around the Imperial Palace

14 pages full of information about the Ninomaru Garden
32 pictures of the garden

PDF 47MB
The eBook is delivered as PDF

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Directions

How to get there
The closest station on the Yamanote line is Tokyo main station.

Opening times
April-August: 9am – 5pm
September, October, March: 9am-4:30pm
November-February: 9am-4pm

Closed on Mondays, Fridays and New Year (Dec 28 to Jan 3).

Admission
Free

Address
JP: 東京都千代田区千代田1-1
EN: Tokyo, Chiyoda-Ku, Chiyoda 1-1


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Taizō-in (Myōshin-ji)(退蔵院)

Taizo-in is a small Zen Buddhism temple located in northwestern Kyoto on the quiet and spacious grounds of Myoshin-ji. With its beautiful gardens and treasures of Japanese art, Taizo-in is the oldest and most famous sub-temples of the Myoshin-ji complex. It was founded in 1404 and the gardens are said to have been designed by the painter Kano Motonobu in the Muromachi period.

Taizo-in is open to receive and educate international visitors about Zen culture. Here you can experience Zen meditation, tea ceremony, calligraphy, and temple-stay with a friendly and dedicated staff.

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Directions

How to get there
Take the JR Sanin Main line from Kyoto station (platform 32 or 33) towards Sonobe (園部). After 11 minutes, get off at Hanazono station (花園).
From there, walk back 500 meters in north-eastern direction to get to the Myoshin-ji temple complex.

Opening times
9am – 5pm

Admission
600 yen
(During Special Openings, the hobo garden can be viewed from inside for 900 yen)

Address
京都市右京区花園妙心寺町35
Kyoto-shi, Ukyo-ku, Hanazono Myoshin-ji-cho 35


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Sokushū-in (Tōfuku-ji)  (即宗院)

Sokushu-in is a small sub-temple of Tōfuku-ji. It only open in autumn, which is also the best time to visit it.
Unknown to most visitors and a little off the main temples, it is a great place to escape the masses of tourists visiting in Tōfuku-ji in autumn.

The temple was built as a villa for a member of the Fujiwara clan in 1196. In 1387, the temple was founded on the grounds of the old villa.

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Directions

How to get there
Take the Nara line from Kyoto station towards Nara. Get off at the first stop, Tōfuku-ji, and walk in southern direction until you get to Tōfuku-ji.

Opening times
Only open on special days in autumn, check this website for more information (Japanese only): https://www.sokushuin.net/
9:00-16:00

Admission
300 Yen


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Shōsei-en (Kikoku-tei)  (渉成園)

Shōsei-en is a garden that belongs to Higashi-Hongan-ji, the big temple of the True Pure Land School of Buddhism just north of Kyoto station. The garden is said to have belonged to the residence of the son of tennō Saga and was built in the early Heian period (794-1185). The pond most likely remained from the original design. The garden we see today, was laid out in 1641 after the shogun Tokugawa donated the land to the Hongan-ji. The garden design was probably realized by the intellectual Ichikawa Jozan and artist, tea master and aristocrat Kobori Enshu.

The garden has a pond and some tea houses, cherry trees that are a visitor magnet in spring. It is just a few meters away from the hustle and bustle of Kyoto station. While you can still hear the cars and see some of the surrounding buildings, it is good to see that these beautiful places do exist in modern Kyoto.

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Directions

How to get there
Shōsei-en is not far from the Kyoto station. Take the north exit and walk one block north and then another block in eastern direction. It will take aproximately 7 minutes.
You can also take the city bus number 5 to Kawaramachi Shomen.

Admission
500 Yen donation is recommended

Opening hours
Mar. – Oct.: 9:00~17:00
Nov. – Feb.: 9:00~16:00

Address
〒600-8190 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Higashitamamizucho
〒600-8190 京都府京都市下京区東玉水町


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Shirakawa-in Garden(白河院庭園)

The Shirakawa-in is a high-class ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) with a small but superb garden. Its history traces back to the early Heian period (794-1185), when the imperial court and the first regent of the Fujiwara clan built their villas on this ground. Later, tennō Shirakawa (1053-1129) abdicated in the age of 44 in favor of his son, became a monk and moved to the Shirakawa-in. From there he reigned as cloistered emperor behind the scenes for 41 more years.

The garden that we see today has been restored by Ogawa Jihei (Ueji), a famous plantsman of the modern Japan (1860-1933). The garden is a strolling garden with a small pond. There is also a tea house in the southeastern corner. It is a wonderful secret garden, and if you happen to be in the area (Heian-jingu, Nanzen-ji), do stop by and enjoy the atmosphere.

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Directions

How to get there
Shirakawa-in is situated on the north side of the Kyoto Zoo. Take the city bus number 5, 57, 32 or 100 to Doubutsu-en-mae (動物園前 – Kyoto Zoo).
From there walk north. When you can see the big Heian Shrine to your left, turn right and follow the street. Shirakawa-in is to your left side.

Address
Kyōto, Sakyō-Ku, Hōshōji-chō 16
Telephone: 075-761-0201

Admission
free
Please ask the Hotel staff before entering the garden when you do not stay at the hotel!


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Sanzen-in  (三千院)

Sanzen-in is the main attraction of Ohara, a small village north of Kyoto. It was founded 806 by the monk Saicho that brought introduced the Tendai school of Buddhism to Japan.

It has a moss garden that can be admired from the Shinden. Around the garden are several small stone head sitting in the moss. Their faces are laughing, that is why they are called Warai-jizo (笑い地蔵 – Laughing Buddhas). The best season for this garden is definitely autumn. The leaf changing in Owara starts usually a little earlier than in Kyoto.

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Directions

How to get there
From Kyoto station, take the Ohara line bus towards Ohara (大原). It takes a little more than 1 hour to get to Ohara.
Since Sanzen-in is the most popular temple in Ohara, it is easy to find. Just walk 600 meters east.

Opening times
March to Dec. 7th: 8:30 am ~ 17:00 pm 
Dec. 7th to Feb: 9:00 am ~ 16:30 pm 

Admission
700 yen

Address
左京区大原来迎院町540
Sakyo-ku, Ohara Raigouin-cho 540


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Ninna-ji(仁和寺)

Ninna-ji is one of Kyoto’s oldest temples. It was founded in 888 (Heian period) by emperor Oda. From that time on until the end of the Edo period (1603-1868), the position of the temple’s head priest was always held by a son of a reigning emperor. Naturally, the temple was the center of the tennō’s supporters, but lost influence under the ruling of the Muromachi shogunate in the Muromachi period.

It burned down completely during the Ōnin war, but was rebuilt between 1641 and 1646. The garden in front of the Shinden was rebuilt in 1914. It has a pond and can be viewed from the veranda. The buildings are all connected with covered walkways that are characteristic for Shinden style architecture, the architecture of palaces and aristocratic residences in the Heian period (794-1185).

Although Ninna-ji is really close to tourist magnets like Ryoan-ji and Myoshin-ji, it has significantly less visitors. The buildings and gardens are well-maintained and some superior artwork is on display on the sliding doors in the study room.

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Directions

How to get there
Take the Kyoto city bus 8, 10, 26 or 59 to the stop Omuro-Ninna-ji and walk in northern direction.

Address
JP: 〒616−8092 京都府京都市右京区御室大内33
EN: 33 Omuroouchi,Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 〒616-8092

Admission
800 Yen

Opening hours
9am – 4.30pm (Dec – Feb)
9am – 5pm (Mar – Nov)


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Japanese Garden History on Amazon

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Nezu Museum(根津美術館)

The Nezu museum is a private collection of Japanese and Asian art – from calligraphy to painting, ceramics, and textiles. The industrialist and president of the Tobu railway company, Nezu Kaichiro was an avid art collector.

The site of the museum and garden used to be his private residence, which he bought in 1906. After his death in 1940, his son founded the museum to preserve the collection. In World War II, however, the museum and gardens were severely destroyed.

The hilly garden has two ponds that are connected by small streams. Upon every turn of the numerous winding paths, you can see a new garden lantern, memorial stone, Buddha or Kan’non statue. The garden also has some well-preserved tea houses. Near the main building, you can find a modern cafe. The wide window front on three sides lets you enjoy the garden while having a light lunch or coffee and cake.

Contents of the eBook
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Buildings
  • Stone Works
  • Highlights
  • Anikas Impressions
  • Around the Nezu Museum


14 pages full of information about the Nezu Museum
41 pictures of the garden
PDF 17MB

The eBook is delivered as PDF.

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Nezu-Museum Trailer Watch the Nezu-Museum trailer here.

Directions

How to get there
The closest metro station is Omotesando. Chiyoda line, Ginza line and Hanzomon line stop here. Use exit 4 or 5 and walk down the small end of Omotesando towards south east. After 400m you should reach the museum.

Opening times
10am – 5pm (last entry 4:30pm)

Admission
1300 Yen for the general exhibition (previously purchased online)
1400 Yen for same-day tickets
Special exhibitions cost differently.
Garden only accessible after ticket purchase.

Address
JP: 東京都港区南青山6丁目5−1
EN: Tokyo-to, Minato-ku, Minami-Aoyama 6-chome 5-1


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Japanese Garden History on Amazon

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Real Japanese Gardens Shop

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