Ryōgen-in, Zen Buddhist temple in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan.
Ryōgen-in is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kita-ku, Kyoto, located within the larger Daitoku-ji complex. The grounds hold five distinct gardens, including the Totekiko with its minimalist design of raked gravel patterns in a space of just a few square meters.
The temple was established in 1502 during a time of significant cultural transformation in Japan. This founding moment shaped how Zen practice and garden design would develop in the centuries that followed.
The moss-covered Ryogin-tei garden displays traditional Japanese landscaping through natural stone placements and plant choices that reflect deep design principles. You can observe how the garden space draws visitors into a meditative experience through these carefully considered elements.
The grounds are open daily from morning through afternoon, with hours shifting by season. As an active temple, visitors should dress respectfully and follow any posted guidance about walking through sacred spaces.
The Isshi-dan garden features carefully positioned rocks arranged to suggest traditional shapes in Japanese symbolism. This subtle interplay between stone and space reveals the precise craftsmanship that went into the garden's creation.
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