Continuing my exploration at Daitokuji, visiting Souken-in – the mortuary temple of Oda Nobunaga, Ōbai-in – famous for the rare kare-sansui garden Jikuchu-tei which is covered in moss, and Ryogen-in which boosts 5 different dry landscape gardens.
Exploring the massive Daitokuji, the Rinzai-sect of Buddhism temple complex and some of its sub-temples, all famous for their kare-sansui, dry landscape rock gardens – Daisen-in, Zuihou-in and Kourin-in.
Though relatively newly reconstructed structures and inaccessible buildings (unlike favored Nijo Castle), the gardens at the Kyoto Gosho makes this a worthy visit thanks to its otherworldly views.
Catching bright autumn colors at the Shishiku no Niwa, a garden of Hogon-in, sub-temple of Tenryu-ji in Arashiyama.
Quiet stroll at Kyu Shiba Rikyu, one of the two surviving Edo garden in Tokyo, featuring a central pond with four small islands and various rock formations.
A relaxing stroll in the beautiful Genkyuen, the garden in the grounds of Hikone castle, featuring a central pond with multiple islands connected by bridges.
A stroll in Hama Rikyu, the only remaining tidal pond garden in Tokyo, offering contrast views of Edo-style garden against the backdrop of skyscrapers.
Looking for blood-red maples leaves at Kongourinji, one of the three Kotosanzan temples of Tendai Sect Buddhism in Japan.
Strolling in one of the Tokyo Metropolitan Gardens, Kiyosumi Teien, featuring a large pond with three islands and manmade hills, stepping stones pathways, and landscape stones collected from all over Japan.
Relaxing stroll at Koko-en Garden, located right next to Himeji Castle, featuring 9 different gardens.
Though having lost its castle keep, Nijo Castle is a worthy visit for its Ninomaru Palace, a rare surviving example of Japan’s castle palace.
