Ryōgon-ji

Ryōgon-ji is a Zen temple in Kariya featuring a stone garden where fifteen rocks are arranged so that at least one remains invisible from any viewing point. The temple also contains decorated sliding doors that can be viewed by advance appointment.

The site was originally a Fujiwara clan estate in the 11th century and was transformed into a Zen temple in 1450 under warlord Hosokawa Katsumoto's direction. This conversion marked the beginning of its development as a spiritual place.

The temple is known locally as the Temple of Crows because of the crow patterns decorating its sliding doors, which were painted by artist Ikka Nagai. These artworks shape how visitors experience the interior spaces.

To view the decorated sliding doors, you need to arrange an advance reservation ahead of your visit. The grounds provide parking for regular vehicles as well as larger ones.

The grounds are home to several trees hundreds of years old, including a camellia, a bo tree, and a crape myrtle, all recognized among Japan's Top Hundred Ancient Trees. These trees shape the garden's appearance and show the site's long connection to nature.