Ryōtan-ji, Buddhist temple in Kita-ku, Hamamatsu, Japan
Ryōtan-ji is a Buddhist temple in Kita-ku, Hamamatsu, that occupies a large site with traditional Japanese architecture. The garden was designed by landscape architect Kobori Enshū and displays typical elements of Zen garden art.
The monk Gyōki founded the temple in 733, and during the Heian period it became the family temple of the Ii clan. In 1560 the site received its current name and became an important religious center in the region.
The Zen temple has served as the burial ground for the Ii family since the Heian period and preserves three volumes of Buddhist scriptures from the Song Dynasty. These texts are designated as Important Cultural Properties and can be viewed within the temple complex.
The temple opens daily from 9 AM to 4:30 PM, except from December 22 to 27 and on August 15. A parking area with 69 spaces is available for visitors.
A corridor in the temple is called Uguisu-bari and produces sounds that resemble bird songs when visitors walk over the wooden planks. This acoustic feature results from the special construction of the floor.
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