UPDATE | June 01, 2022
There are four seasons, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and one of the attractions of Japan is that you can enjoy different scenery depending on the season. April is cherry blossoms, May is fresh green, and the season is about to change to the rainy season. This time, I would like to introduce you to the Japanese gardens in Kyoto that you should definitely visit during the rainy season. I would like to touch on the history of Japanese Zen culture and dry gardens.
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When you hear the word "Japanese garden," the general image is a pond where carps swim, stones of various sizes with moss, and wave patterns drawn with sand.
Just looking at it makes me feel calm, and I think it can be said that it is a representative of Japan's unique "Wabi-sabi" culture.
Then, when was the Japanese garden created in the first place?
It is said that the Japanese garden started about 1400 years ago. The technique of gardening was first introduced to Japan from the Korean Peninsula.
In 710 (Nara period), the capital city of Heijokyo was built, and at this time, a large-scale garden will be built according to the city's plans.
The garden at that time created a pond with a natural shape, and the flow of water pouring into it was reproduced as a river or waterfall.
This later became the basis of the "Karesansui" in the Japanese garden.
Dry garden is a typical Japanese garden format that uses stones, sand, plants, and terrain to express the flow of water in places where there is no water.
During the Kamakura period (1185-1333), the Buddhist Zen Buddhism, which mainly trains in zazen, was introduced from China to Japan, and a dry garden was built as a place for Zen training. rice field.
In addition to training and thought, Zen-based cultural arts such as ink painting, books, and gardening will flourish, eventually leading to the tea ceremony. In this way, Zen forms the skeleton of Japanese culture, and the idea is well expressed in the Japanese garden.
Unfortunately, many of Kyoto's gardens were burned down by the conflict, but they have been reconstructed by people and are still inherited with Zen culture today.
Now, I would like to introduce three recommended Japanese gardens in Kyoto.
Where is it?⇒Click here for the map
7 minutes walk from Keifuku Electric Railroad Ryoanji Station
Immediately after getting off at Ryoanji-mae on city bus No. 59
The Japanese garden of Ryoanji Temple, which has an impressive "stone garden" of dry garden with 15 stones arranged on white sand, is known not only in Japan but also in the world. In 1994, it was registered as a World Heritage Site as one of UNESCO's "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto". The simple garden of Zen temple, including a stone garden, and the strolling garden where you can enjoy various scenery depending on the season, such as cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, and two different gardens are the major attractions of Ryoanji.
The Muromachi period (1336-1573), when Ryoanji was built, was a time when Zen culture, which abandoned all attachments to the world, prospered, and its influence is strongly manifested.
It's not a big garden, but it's a popular temple, so early morning or rainy days are recommended to avoid congestion.
The dry garden water that you can see while listening to the sound of the rain is full of emotion and is a luxurious time.
There are many historical temples such as Kinkakuji and Ninnaji near Ryoanji, and you can see them all in one day by bicycle or bus.
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Where is it?⇒Click here for the map
About a 10-minute walk from Tofukuji Station on the JR / Keihan Line
About a 5-minute walk from Tobakaido Station on the Keihan Line
Komyō-in is also known as "Rainbow Moss Temple", and the harmony between the moss and sand in the dry garden named "Hashintei" is wonderful.
It was built about 600 years ago by a Zen master named Akira Kanayama. As a small temple of Tofukuji Temple nearby, it has been loved by locals for a long time.
Compared to Tofukuji Temple, where the main hall is located, the scale is smaller and it is not so crowded, so you can enjoy the garden slowly.
The cherry blossoms and autumn leaves are beautiful, but my favorite is the winter scenery. The snow-covered garden has a different atmosphere than usual, and you can fully immerse yourself in the world of Zen.
In addition, the Japanese garden of Komyō-in has a "picture frame effect" that cuts out the view from the room through windows, so it is interesting that the scenery looks different depending on how you take the picture.
It is close to Fushimi Inari Shrine, which is popular with tourists, and it is recommended to take a leisurely stroll around this area together with Tofukuji Temple.
Where is it?⇒Click here for the map
About a 5-minute walk from "Gion-Shijo" station on the Keihan line and "Kawaramachi" station on the Hankyu line
Kennin-ji Temple, located in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, is the oldest Rinzai sect temple in Kyoto that conveys Zen teachings.
It was built about 800 years ago by a monk, Eisai, who trained in China.
The beauty of the Japanese garden at Ryosokuin in Kennin-ji is such that visitors forget the time and look at it.
Many important cultural properties and Japanese art are stored, and some of them can actually be seen, such as folding screen paintings.
If you make a reservation, you can also experience zazen and sutra copying for a fee. Once I got up early and participated in the zazen experience, but the quiet morning air and the greenery of the garden were very comfortable. It is said that it is popular with overseas tourists because it is not necessary to force yourself to sit upright and you can experience zazen in a relaxed posture.
There are many famous sightseeing spots nearby, such as Gion, Yasaka Shrine, and Kodaiji Temple, so be sure to stop by Kenninji Temple while you're sightseeing.
How was it?
You can enjoy the quiet and calm Japanese garden only during the rainy season.
Sometimes it's good to forget about your daily routine and spend some time relaxing while looking at the garden.
When you visit Kyoto, be sure to experience Zen culture in the Japanese garden and enjoy the time that flows calmly and slowly.
A freelance Japanese teacher and local guide from Osaka. I fell in love with Kyoto in 2020 and moved to 2021. Currently, while teaching Japanese mainly in private lessons, he plans and manages writing, Chinese-Japanese translation proofreading, and online experiences.
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