Established in 1450, Ryoan-ji belongs to the Myoshin-ji school of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. This temple, nestled in the northwest of Kyoto, is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The temple's main attraction is its kare-sansui (dry landscape) rock garden with a size of twenty-five meters by ten meters. Comprising meticulously raked gravel and 15 carefully placed stones, the garden's arrangement invites deep contemplation. The garden's enigmatic layout with five groups of stones, ensures that only 14 stones are visible from any single vantage point. The wall behind the garden is made of clay, which has been stained by age with brown and orange tones.
Ryoan-ji rock garden
In addition to the rock garden, Ryoan-ji boasts serene ponds and lush gardens that change with the seasons.
Ryoan-ji pond
sakura at Ryoan-ji
Ryoan-ji also served as a mausoleum for several emperors.
You may also like