5 most beautiful gardens in Kyoto

Ryoan-ji Temple

Home to the world's most famous Zen garden, Ryoan-ji Temple is located near Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) in northwestern Kyoto. The karesansui (dry landscape garden) boasts a truly unique landscape, featuring 15 mystical stones arranged on a sea of pristine white sand. The garden is beautiful and expansive yet remarkably simple. Its only vegetation consists of moss growing on the stones. The area is enclosed on three sides by terracotta walls, creating the necessary secluded space for meditation. The remaining side connects to a covered area where visitors can sit and admire the garden.

Visit in the early morning or late afternoon when there aren't too many tourists.

Address:13 Ryoanji Goryonoshita-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, +81 75-463-2216

Ginkaku-ji Temple

The Shogun-style garden at Ginkaku-ji Temple (Silver Pavilion) is one of the most beautiful traditional gardens in Japan. The garden is divided into two distinct sections. The lower section features an ancient Zen-style walking garden, with moss-covered paths winding around a pond, adorned with decorative touches such as small bridges, boulders, and trees.

Trang thông tin du lịch và phong cách sống Travellive+

The area includes a dry meditation garden, covered with sand, and small pebbles arranged parallel to each other to form waves, hence the name Silver Sand Beach. The main focal point of this garden is a sand dune that recreates the shape of Mount Fuji.

Address:2 Ginkakujicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, +81 75-771-5725

Saiho-ji Temple

Saiho-ji Temple, also known as Koke-dera (Moss Temple), is famous for its moss garden, one of the oldest in the ancient capital, with over 120 diverse species of moss covering almost the entire ground. The garden is arranged in a circular shape with a winding path around the Golden Pond, a heart-shaped pond, and three small islands. The garden also features three tea houses where you can find peace amidst the gentle aroma of tea ceremony. Advance booking is required as both the temple and the garden entrances require reservations.

Address:56 Matsuo Jingatani-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, +81 75-391-3631

Heian Jingu Shrine

Heian Jingu Shrine is a relatively new shrine, built in 1895 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the relocation of the capital to Kyoto. Located behind the main shrine, the expansive, lush gardens contrast with the vermilion-painted shrine, designed in the architectural style of the Heian period (794-1185), featuring a pond and bridge inspired by Chinese architecture. The gardens are vibrant throughout the four seasons, with cherry blossoms in spring, lilies and water lilies in summer and autumn, and snow in winter. Most famous is the scene of over 300 cherry trees blooming simultaneously, their pink blossoms reflected in the pond, creating a picturesque and enchanting landscape.

Address:Okazaki, Nishitenno-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, +81 75-761-0221

Tenryu-ji Temple

Located in Arashiyama, in the western suburbs of the city, Tenryu-ji Temple is one of Kyoto's most beautiful Zen Buddhist temples. The garden features a walking path around the Peach Blossom Pond, surrounded by the majestic Arashiyama mountains. It's best to visit in spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, or in autumn when the foliage turns a vibrant red, contrasting beautifully with the lush green mountains.