Entsū-ji, Buddhist temple in Minami-Senju, Japan
Entsū-ji is a temple featuring a garden where around forty stones are thoughtfully arranged among beds of moss. The garden incorporates the distant Mount Hiei as a natural backdrop, creating a composed and balanced visual experience.
The temple was established in 791 as a religious site in the region. In 1678, a significant transformation took place when a nun named Enkoinbunei converted a former palace on the grounds into the temple as it is known today.
The garden embodies a key principle of Japanese garden design where distant Mount Hiei becomes part of the visual frame when you walk through the space. This technique creates a sense of connection between the small garden and the wider landscape around it.
The grounds are open to visitors during the warmer months, from April through November, with daily access. Plan enough time to walk slowly through the garden and appreciate the arrangement of stones and moss without rushing.
More than fifty varieties of camellia trees flourish on the grounds alongside cedar trees, creating a living border around the spaces for meditation. These blooming plants provide changing colors and interest throughout the seasons within the otherwise tranquil stone garden.
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