Japanese Garden Directory (For gardens in Kyoto Prefecture)

For gardens in prefectures beginning with M through Z........................... ............ Return to Garden Directory

Prefecture Temple or Garden Name Sub-Temple of, or Within City Comments
Kyoto Anao-ji   Kameoka  
  Anraku-ji   Kyoto The temple, founded in 1212, is open to the public only when the azaleas in its gardens are in bloom.
  Byodo-in   Uji Byodo-in occupies the site of the former villa of the Fujiwara family which was the power behind the throne during much of the Heian period. The Phoenix Hall which faces a beautiful garden is an excellent example of Heian period architecture and is the main attraction at Byodo-in. The structure which was completed in 1053 is shown on Japan's 10 yen coin.
  Chion-in   Kyoto Chion-in dates from the early 1600s. Its garden which is overlooked by two guest houses at the temple is called the Hojo garden, or Nijugo Bosatsu-no-niwa. In the garden is a pine tree planted by the Emperor Showa.
  Chishaku-in   Kyoto Chishaku-in was orginally founded in what is now Wakayama Prefecture, but was moved to its present site in 1598 as part of Shoun-ji. The garden is attribuited to the tea master, Sen no Rikyu and was built in the mid 1500s. The garden is a viewing garden.
  Daikomyo-ji   Kyoto  
  Daisen-in Daitoku-ji Kyoto Daisen-in contains one of the most photographed gardens in Japan. The small garden measures only twelve feet by forty seven feet but is a powerful composition of rocks and illusion. This dry garden was constructed about 1509.
  Daitoku-ji Hojo Daitoku-ji Kyoto The Daitoku-ji Hojo, or Superior's Quarters, has gardens on the south and east sides of the building dating from 1636, The main garden on the south was designed as a "borrowed scenery" using Mt. Hiei as a backdrop, however, nearby buildings now block the view of the distant mountain.
  Enko-ji   Kyoto  
  Entoku-in   Kyoto  
  Entsu-ji   Kyoto This small, early Edo Period, garden uses Mt. Hiei very effectively as "borrowed scenery".
  Fumon-in Tofuku-ji Kyoto This garden, also called Kaisan-do, was built in the late 1600s. A walkway through the center of the garden was added in 1877. It significantly altered the original character of the garden.
  Funda-in Tokufu-ji Kyoto This garden, completed in 1465, was constructed by Sesshu, therefore, it is also called Sesshu-in. The garden was completely restored in 1939.
  Gansen-ji   Uji  
  Genko-an   Kyoto  
  Ginkaku-ji   Kyoto This Muromachi Period garden was completed in 1482. There is a white sand courtyard and a conical, white sand mountain near the entrance to this stroll garden. The pavilion which was intended to be covered with silver is a plain wooden structure, none-the-less, because it was intended to be silver plated, the name Silver Pavilion is still used.
  Gio-ji   Kyoto A Meiji Period garden with a path leading to a teahouse. Gio-ji is the setting for the tragic tale of Gio and Hotoko Gozen in the Tales of Heike.
  Gyokoku-Jinju   Kyoto  
  Gyokuho-in Myoshin-ji Kyoto  
  Hakusason-so   Kyoto A Showa Period stroll garden with a large pond. Scattered throughout the garden is a very fine collection of stone Buddhas.
  Heian Jinju   Kyoto A Meiji Period garden. Heian Shrine and its garden were constructed to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the founding of the city of Kyoto. Construction began in 1892 with completion in 1895. Although constructed in the Meiji era, the structures and the garden are quazi Heian style in their design. The large garden wraps around three sides of the shrine and is beautiful in any season, but is perhaps best known for its iris in the spring.
  Hojo-ji   Kameoka  
  Hokongo-ji   Kyoto  
  Honen-in   Kyoto An Edo Period garden located in a heavily wooded area on the slopes of the Higashiyama. The entrance to the temple is via a long gravel path, heavily shaded with maple, and through a tatch-covered gate. As one decends the stone steps from the gate into the garden, there is a large mound of sand on both sides of the path on which the temple priests draw intricate designs which are changed every few weeks. Beyond the mounds is a bridge which crosses a stream. The path beyond the bridge leads to the main temple hall.
  Honpo-ji   Kyoto  
  Hosen-in   Ohara  
  Hoshun-in Diatoku-ji Kyoto A Momoyama Period garden.
  Ikkyu-ji   Tanabe  
  Jakko-in   Ohara Jakko-in is a nunnery. The temple and its garden were constructed during the Kamakura Period. In the garden is a waterfall that drops, in several stages, into a small pond that reflects the maple trees which surround it. Jakko-in is best noted for its fall colors.
  Jinko-in   Kyoto  
  Jisso-in   Kyoto  
  Jizo-in   Kyoto  
  Jojakko-in   Kyoto  
  Joju-in Kiyomizu-dera Kyoto Joju-in serves as the headquarters and the priests' living quarters for Kiyomizu-dera. Its garden,which is relatively small, contains a pond and extensive greenery. The garden uses "borrowed scenery'" to give a feeling of spaciousness.
  Jonangu   Kyoto There are two gardens at Jonangu, both constructed in the 1900s, but representing gardens of earlier periods. The garden on the north is a Heian period style garden with a large pond. On the south is a garden of the Muromachi period style.
  Joruri-ji   Uji
  Josho-ji   Kyoto  
  Juko-in Daitoku-ji Kyoto A Muromachi Period garden.
  Kanchi-in   Kyoto  
  Kanshu-ji   Kyoto  
  Katsura Rikyo   Kyoto An Edo Period stroll garden. Construction on this beautiful Imperial Villa began in 1620 with completion in 1645. Scattere about the extensive garden are several tea houses. Beautifully laid out paths and stepping stones lead to a large pond which is the focal point of the garden.
  Keishun-in Myoshin-ji Kyoto An Edo Period dry garden. The garden is also called a meditation garden because of the meditation rock in the garden.
  Kengei-in   Kyoto  
  Kennin-ji   Kyoto  
  Kibune Jinju   Kyoto  
  Kinkaku-ji   Kyoto A Muromachi Period garden. The Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) which is the focal point of the garden is Chinese Sung dynasty style. The Pavilion is surround on three sides by a large pond and its reflection in the pond is a beautiful sight.
  Kodai-ji   Kyoto An Edo Period stroll garden with a pond. The garden uses the Higashiyama (East Mountains) as borrowed scenery.
  Koetsu-ji   Kyoto An Edo Period dry landscape garden. This garden is best known for its original designs of woven bamboo fences and for the brilliant color of its maples in the fall.
  Koho-an Daitoku-ji Kyoto There are several Edo period gardens at Koho-an which are said to be among the best at Daitoku-ji.
  Kokei-no-newa Nishi Hongan-ji Kyoto The garden was completed in 1591 during the Momoyama period. The Kokei-no-newa, or Tiger glen, is a dry garden, and is unique among gardens in Japan for two reasons. The garden contains cycads, a tropical palm, and there are no pine trees, which are seen in virtually all Japanese gardens.
  Komyo-in Tofuku-ji Kyoto  
  Konchi-in Nanzen-ji Kyoto An Edo Period dry landscape garden said to be an excellent example of the tortoise-crane style garden.
  Konpuku-ji   Kyoto An Edo Period dry landscape garden best known for its azaleas during the spring and for the fact that the famous poet Basho lived here for a time.
  Korin-in Daitoku-ji Kyoto A Muromachi Period garden completed in 1533.
  Koshi-ji   Uji  
  Koto-in Daitoku-ji Kyoto A Momoyama Period garden completed in 1603. This is one of the smaller gardens at Daitoku-ji. It's best known for it's maples in the fall.
  Kyoto Imperial Palace   Kyoto The garden at the Imperial Palace, or Gosho, is an Edo Period stroll garden with a large pond. Along the shore of the pond are dark, flat, round stones, sometimes called chestnut stones, carefully laid out to give a feeling of vastness and serenity.
  Mampuku-ji   Uji  
  Manshu-in   Kyoto An Edo Period dry landscape garden. There is a large expanse of raked white gravel representing a river appearing to swirl around moss-covered islands of shrubs and trees.
  Matsuo Jimgu   Kyoto  
  Mimurodo-ji   Uji  
  Murin-an   Kyoto A Meiji Period stroll garden which uses the Higashiyama as borrowed scenery. There is a waterfall and a stream which receives its water from a canal from Lake Biwa several miles to the east.
  Mushanokoji Senke   Kyoto A Muromachi Period tea garden.
  Myoshin-ji   Kyoto Myoshin-ji, along with Daitoku-ji, Tofuku-ji, and Nanzen-ji, are large temple complexes. Myoshin-ji was founded in 1337 during the Kamakura period. It's numerous gardens are in the sub-temples.
  Nanzen-ji Hojo Nanzen-ji Kyoto Nanzen-ji was founded in 1211 during the Kamakura, however, it was burned during the Onin wars in the 1400s and was rebuilt during the Edo period. The Nanzen-ji Hojo garden is a dry garden, rectangular in shape. As one views the garden the roofs of temple buildings can be seen beyond the garden which is rather unusual.
  Nanzin-in Nanzen-ji Kyoto Although originally constructed in the 1200s as an emperor's villa , Nanzin-ji was reconstructed during the Edo period and is described as an Edo period garden.
  Ninna-ji   Kyoto Ninna-ji was originally completed in 886 during the Heian period, however, two major fires destroyed many of the buildings. The present buildings and garden were constructed during the Edo period. The most notable elements of the garden is a large pond and a waterfall.
  Ninomura Nijo Castle Kyoto The castle and garden were completed in 1603 during the Momoyama period, but were renovated during the Edo period. The one-acre stroll garden contains a large pond. Although, it's a stroll garden, the best views are from within the castle.
  Nison-in   Kyoto  
  Nonomiya Jingu   Kyoto  
  Obai-in Daitoku-ji Kyoto A Momoyama Period garden completed in 1588.
  Okochi Sanso Villa   Kyoto  
  Omote Senke   Kyoto A Momoyama Period tea garden.
  Reiun-in Myoshin-ji Kyoto A Muromachi period garden completed in 1543. This is a small, dry garden intended for meditation.
  Rengei-ji   Kyoto An early Edo Period garden with a pond. The garden is primarily a viewing garden. Of particular interest is a lantern, or toro, setting on one of the rocks at the edge of the pond. It's design is called a Rengei-ji style toro and is quite popular for use in gardens. Rengei-ji is best known for its fall foliage when the maples and ginkgo provide brilliant colors.
  Rikuo-in   Kyoto  
  Rinko-in Shokoku-ji Kyoto  
  Rinsen-ji   Kyoto  
  Rokuo-in   Kyoto An Edo Period dry landscape garden.
  Ryoan-ji   Kyoto A Muromachi Period dry landscape garden containing 15 rocks on a bed of raked gravel. The garden is one of Japan's best known and most photographed.
  Ryogen-in Daitoku-ji Kyoto Ryogen-in is a Muromachi Period temple completed in 1505. The temple compound contains five garden of various sizes, including Totekiko, Japan's smallest garden. It also contains the oldest garden in the Daitoku-ji complex, Ryogin-tei.
  Ryosoku-in   Kyoto An Edo Period tea garden with a pond which seperates two ikemomi style stone lanterns.
  Saiho-ji   Kyoto Saiho or Kokedera (The Moss Garden) is a Kamakura Period garden which was completed in 1339. There are over forty varieties of moss that cover the entire garden.
  Sambo-in Daigo-ji Kyoto Daigo-ji is a Heian Period temple founded in 902, however most of the present buildings and the garden of Sambo-in date from the late 1500s. The garden is said to contain over 700 stones. One stone, called the Fujito stone, is said to have cost over 5,000 bushels of rice. Although the garden is designed as a stroll garden with a large pond and several paths and bridges, visitors can only view the garden from the temple veranda. The temple is famous for its cherry blossoms in spring.
  Sangen-in Daitoku-ji Kyoto A Momoyama Period garden completed in 1589.
  Sanzen-in   Ohara Sansen-in is a Heian Period temple founded in 985. Additional structures and the garden date from the Edo period. The ground of the large garden is moss covered and contains a small pond. There are many maples and a grove of cryptomeria trees. These tall, straight-trunked trees branch at a high level and shade most of the garden. The fall foliage is spectacular.
Prefecture Temple or Garden-Name Sub-Temple. of, or Within City Comments
Kyoto Seiryu-en Nijo Castle Kyoto  
  Sento Gosho Kyoto Imperial Palace Kyoto The garden at Sento Gosho (The Retired Emperor's Villa) is an Edo Period garden completed in 1634. The garden is a excellent example of a Stroll garden. Of particular interest is the cobblestone beach on the southwest side of the pond which represents a natural coastline. The stones were a gift of the lord of the Odawara clan in the area of present day Tokyo. It is said that the stones were gathered in Odawara and individually wrapped in silk before sending them to Kyoto as a gift for the Emperor. They were known as "two-liter stones" for each is said to have had a value of two liters of rice at the time they were gathered.
  Shinju-an Daitoku-ji Kyoto Shinju-an is a Moromachi Period temple completed in 1491. South of the Hojo is a dry garden with a moss ground cover rather than the more traditional raked gravel in dry gardens. East of the Hojo is the best known garden at Shinji-an. It too has a moss ground cover. One interesting feature of the garden is the arrangement of fifteen rocks in a 7-5-3 grouping inspired by the "harmony of odd numbers" principle used in Chinese garden design.
  Shinnyo-do   Kyoto A Heian Period temple founded in 984. after moving several times it moved to its present site in 1693. Its garden dates from this time.
  Shinsen-en   Kyoto  
  Shisen-do     An Edo Period garden completed in 1636. A relatively small, but beautiful garden with a small pond. The clipped azaleas provide dazzling color in the spring.
  Shoden-ji     An Edo Period dry landscape garden that makes use of Mt. Hiei in the distance for borrowed scenery. There are clusters of clipped azalea in groups of 7-5-3, traditionally thought to be lucky numbers.
  Shoho-ji   Kyoto  
  Shojuraigo-ji   Kyoto  
  Shoka-do   Kyoto  
  Shokoku-ji   Kyoto  
  Shoren-in   Kyoto This garden was originally built in the Muromachi period, rebuilt in the Edo period, destroyed by fire during the Meiji period, and rebuilt once more in 1909. Although lacking a distinct period design, it's a very pleasant garden to visit and is beautiful during the azalea season.
  Shosei-in   Kyoto  
  Shugaku-in Rikyu   Kyoto Shugaku-in Rikyu is one of three imperial villas in Kyoto. It was built during the Edo period as a private retreat for the Emperor Gomizuno and was completed in 1659. Shugaku-in, said to have been designed by the emperor himself, is actually three separate villas at different elevations in the Higashiyama. The villas are connected by paths and each contains an imaculate garden. The garden in the lower villa is relatively small containing a stream that empties into a pond. Along the path through the garden are three stone lanterns worthy of note. The middle villa is a pond garden and was the residence of the emperor's eight daughter, PrinceAke. It also contains a stone lantern worthy of note. It is said to contain Christian symbols and was installed in the villa at a time when Christianity was banned. The upper villa contains a large pond about 2.5 acres in size and utilizies the concept of borrowed scenery to a degree unmatched by any other garden in Japan.
  Shuon-an Ikkuyu-ji Tanabe  
  Taizo-in Myoshin-ji Kyoto There are two gardens at Taizo-in. One is a Muromachi period Zen garden constructed when Taizo-in was constructed. The second is a much larger and much more recent garden. There is a path for walking the length of the garden, but it's not a stroll garden in the strict sense of the word.
  Tenju-an Nanzen-ji Kyoto This is a dry landscape Zen garden.
  Tenryu-ji   Kyoto This is a Kamakura Period garden completed in 1339. The garden is a stroll garden with a large pond. However, two of the main features of the garden can be viewed from the veranda. These are a grouping of seven stones in the pond and the use of borrowed scenery. Tenru-ji is the oldest garden still in existance in Japan to use this concept.
  Tentoku-in Tofuku-ji Kyoto This is a Momoyama Period Zen garden.
  Tofuku-ji Hojo Tofuku-ji Kyoto Tofuku-ji is a Kamakura Period temple founded in 1236. At its peak it was considered by many to be the premier religious complex in the old capital. The garden at the Hojo was completely reconstructed in the Showa period and was completed n 1938.
  Toji-in   Kyoto A Kamakura Period garden completed in 1341. A relatively compact, but elegant garden with two ponds. The pond on the east is in the shape of the Chinese character "shin" which means heart.
  Tokai-an Myoshin-ji Kyoto An Edo Period dry landscape Zen garden.
  Torin-in Myoshin-ji Kyoto An Edo Period dry landscape Zen garden.
  Umenomiya Taisha   Kyoto A shrine well known for its iris in the spring.
  Ura Senka   Kyoto A Momoyama Period tea garden. Tea gardens differ from other Japanese gardens in that their purpose is to provide a tranquil path to the teahouse.
  Yoshimine-dera   Kyoto An early Edo Period garden located on a mountain in southwest Kyoto. Although Yoshimine-dera is not well known, it has one exceptional feature that, by itself, makes a visit to the temple worthwhile. There is a Japanese white pine known to be between 500 and 600 years old that has been trained to grow horizontally in two directions at right angles to each other.
  Yabunouchi Shoke   Kyoto A Muromachi Period tea garden.
  Zenrin-ji   Kyoto This is a Heian Period temple founded in 855. The temple, usually called Eikando, is located n the slopes of the Higashiyama. The garden at Eikando is a small dry landscape garden. The temple is best known for its fall foliage.
  Zuiho-in Daitoku-ji Kyoto A Showa Period dry landscape garden
  Zuishin-ji   Kyoto An Edo Period stroll garden with a pond. It is best known for its azaleas and rhododendron in the spring.
         
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