Daisen-in, Buddhist temple and rock garden in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan
The gardens of Daisen-in contain carefully arranged rocks and white gravel, forming a sequence of landscape elements around the central hall.
Constructed between 1509 and 1513 by Zen priest Kogaku Soko, the temple survived fires that affected many other structures in the Daitoku-ji complex.
The rock garden incorporates Chinese landscape painting principles into three-dimensional form, representing mountains, rivers, and natural formations through stone arrangements.
Located within the Daitoku-ji complex, the temple opens daily from 9:00 to 17:00, with winter hours ending at 16:30, and charges 400 yen for admission.
White gravel patterns in the garden create a metaphorical river that splits into branches, flowing through different sections representing the stages of human existence.
Location: Kita-ku
Inception: 1509
Founders: Kogaku Soko
Part of: Daitoku-ji
Website: https://daisen-in.net
GPS coordinates: 35.04457,135.74595
Latest update: May 11, 2025 09:59
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