This is Japan’s oldest Jodo (Pure Land) architecture and garden that are integrated into the Amida-do (Amida Hall) built in mid-Heian Period. They recreate the scene of paradise, much sought after by aristocrats at the time. Although the original appearance has been completely changed due to the construction of a levee to prevent flooding in later years, the surrounding scenery still carries the elegance of the past.

cultural property : historic sites and places of scenic beauty as natural monuments　
type : places of scenic beauty

Renge-116 Uji, Uji-shi, Kyōto-fu 611-0021
Tel：0774-21-2861

Byodo-in is a temple that was built by Fujiwara Yorimichi. It stands at the riverside of the Uji River’s midstream, southeast of the Uji Bridge. During the mid-Heian Period, uniquely Japanese culture was maturing and the Latter Day of the Law became widely embraced within Buddhism. According to the trends of the time, it seems that aristocrats longed for the Pure Land of Bliss. Byodo-in was built in this time and is the oldest Jodo garden in Japan.
Ho’o-do (Phoenix Hall) and its surrounding pond, Aji-ike, represent Takara-no-ike (Treasure Pond) of the Paradise. The majestic reflection of Ho’o-do on the water’s surface is supposed to be the image of the Pure Land of Bliss materialized in this world. With the serene stream of the Uji River and mountains in the back as borrowed scenery, visitors can enjoy seasonal landscapes – cherry blossoms, azaleas and wisterias in spring; crape mertles and water lilies in summer; Japanese maples in fall; and sasanquas and camelias in winter.
Although the original appearance has completely changed due to the construction of a levee to prevent flooding in later years, the surrounding scenery still carries the elegance of the past.

The garden is located at the east of Daikaku-ji. Its perimeter is approximately 1km and the garden is Japan’s oldest example of an artificial grove and ponds. It is also called “Teiko (庭湖)” since Emperor Saga created the garden after the Tang Dynasty’s Dongting Lake (洞庭湖), during the construction of his villa, Saga-in.

cultural property : historic sites and places of scenic beauty as natural monuments　
type : places of scenic beauty

4 Sagaōsawachō, Ukyō-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 616-8411
Tel：075-871-0071（Daikakuji Offical）
Tel：075-871-0191（Property Administration Section）

Home page : https://www.daikakuji.or.jp/precincts/

In the early Heian Period, a pond and a waterfall were added to the garden of the villa Saga-in built during the Konin Era (810-824), and the rule of Emperor Saga. The garden is also called Teiko (庭湖) since it was modeled on Dongting Lake (洞庭湖) in China.
The pond has Tenjin (heavenly God) Island, Kiku-ga-shima (chrysanthemum island), and a Teiko stone. A waterfall is located at the north section of the pond. Based on the excavation survey, it is assumed that when the garden was built, the pond had a large amount of water. However, in a poem, Fujiwara-no-kinto (966-1041) reads: “Although the sound of the waterfall has been gone for a long time, its fame is still flowing and I can hear the reputation.” This suggests that the pond was already dry by the mid-Heian Period.
At the pond shore, there is a Gosha Myojin (a shrine of five deitities), of which the deities are said to have been divided and transferred to the villa as Chinju (Tutelary Deities of Land) by Kobo Daishi. The garden is well-known for blossoms, as many cherry trees are planted there. It is also famous for moon-viewing. Many people visit the garden for cherry blossoms in spring and to enjoy the moon in fall.

This is a tea garden (Roji) that belongs to Omotesenke, one of the Sansenke tea schools. It consists of an outer tea garden to the west, a tea garden in front of Zangetsu-tei, another in front of the Sodo (mausoleum), and an inner tea garden that belongs to Fushin-an. The inner tea garden of Fushin-an is located at the innermost part of the garden and can be reached by going through the Umemi-mon (plum viewing gate) from the spacious tea garden in front of the Sodo. Although rather small, Fushin-an’s garden recreates the serenity of a secluded mountain.

cultural property : historic sites and places of scenic beauty as natural monuments　
type : places of scenic beauty

597 Honpojimae-cho,Ogawa Teranouchi agaru, Kamigyō-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 602-006
Tel：075-432-2195

This is a tea garden (Roji) that belongs to Omotesenke, one of the Sansenke (three Sen Families) tea schools. It consists of an outer tea garden to the west, one in front of Zangetsu-tei, one in front of the Sodo (mausoleum), and an inner tea garden that belongs to Fushin-an.
A path goes through the outer tea garden on the west side, and through the garden entrance and the small Nakakuguri gate to the inner garden. Visitors will then see a thatched-roof gate to the right to enter Sodo, and stepping stones to the left that continue to Zangetsu-tei. In front of Sodo, there is a spacious tea garden with a Tsukubai (wash basin) and a dry moat.
The path of stepping stones that turns to the left in front of the thatched-roof gate leads to Zangetsu-tei. Visitors can see a well to the right, skillfully arranged stepping stones, Umemi-mon (plum viewing gate), and a tea garden with perfectly balanced plantings. Visitors will finally enter the inner tea garden of Fushin-an once they go through Umemi-mon. In the inner tea garden, there is a bench to the right. Suna Secchin (an ornamental toilet made of sand and stones), Tsukubai, and small stepping stones lead visitors to Nijiri-guchi (a crawl-through entrance). Although the area is small, the inner garden recreates the atmosphere of a secluded mountain, creating serene space.
As the site continued to be passed down over generations, buildings such as a tea room and a practice room were added from other locations or newly built. The tea garden was renovated each time, and resulted in a garden with a complex configuration.

This is a tea garden (Roji) that belongs to Urasenke, one of the Sansenke tea schools. The garden was made along with a tea room built by the third generation Sen Sotan for his retirement residence. In order to reach the tea room, visitors go through Kabuto-mon and the main entrance. They walk by the waiting bench, through the Chumon (middle gate), and into the tea garden. The Chumon functions as a boundary that distinguishes the outer tea garden without particular scenery, and the inner tea garden that creates subtle and profound beauty.

cultural property : historic sites and places of scenic beauty as natural monuments　
type : places of scenic beauty

613 Honpojimae-cho,Ogawa Teranouchi agaru, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-0061
Tel：075-431-3111

Kon’nichi-an is a tea room at the center of Urasenke along with Yuin (also a tea room). Kon’nichi-an started as a tea room of two jo (two tatami mats), built in the retirement residence of Sen Sotan.
In order to reach the tea room, visitors go through tea gardens, which include Kabuto-mon, the main entrance, the waiting bench, and the Chumon (middle gate).
Although the middle gate is extremely simple, it carries significance as a boundary according to the configuration of tea gardens, by distinguishing the outer tea garden and its plain scenery from the inner tea garden and its delicate beauty.
The outer tea garden is devoid of any accessories and is made up of the color of conifers under changing light contrasts created by sunlight filtering through trees.
Guests go through the inner garden before they are invited into the tea room. Entering guests wash their hands in the Yohobutsu-no-tsukubai (wash basin with curved Buddha on all sides), with moss growing on it, obscuring the round outlines of the Buddhas and adding to the delicate beauty of the inner garden.

This is the front garden of Hiunkaku. It is believed that the garden was built along with the construction of Hiunkaku and Okakudai. Hiunkaku is a three-story tower, and its bottom floor includes boat access from the pond. Rooms are centered around the pond. Flowering trees such as azaleas and plums are planted, and visitors can see the outstanding stone arrangements of large rocks.

cultural property : historic sites and places of scenic beauty as natural monuments　
type : places of scenic beauty

Hanayacho-sagaru, Horikawa-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-fu 600-8501
Tel：075-371-5181

Tekisui-en is a front yard for Hiunkaku, which stands at the southeastern corner of Hongwan-ji precinct (Hongwan-ji is the head temple of the Hongwan-ji school of the Jodo Shinshu sect). The garden is believed to have been created during the construction of Hiunkaku and Okakudai. It is believed that Hiunkaku is a remnant of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s Jurakutei. It is one of the Three Great Pavilions in Kyoto along with Kinkaku and Ginkaku. It is a three-story tower, and its bottom floor includes boat access from the pond.
The garden has a large pond that goes around Hiunkaku from the north side to the west side. The pond is narrower at the center, where a stone bridge is installed. Visitors can cross the bridge to get to Hiunkaku. When looking over the pond from Hiunkaku, visitors can see a bell tower to the side through the tree branches. Flowering trees such as azaleas and plums are planted, and large stones are arranged around the pond. It is believed that the pavilion was named Hiunkaku (“floating cloud pavilion”) since the pond reaches directly under the building and its reflection looks like a floating cloud.
Hiunkaku is not open.

The name “Shosei-en” was taken from a verse found in Gui Qu Lai Ci (Come Away Home), a poem about a life in the countryside by Tao Yuanming. The site is in the shape of a near-perfect square. Since it is 100 ken (approximately 180 meters) on each side, the place was also called Hyakken Yashiki (100 ken mansion). Another name was Kikoku-tei, as “Kikoku” (trifoliate oranges; Poncirus trifoliata) were planted there.

cultural property : historic sites and places of scenic beauty as natural monuments　
type : places of scenic beauty

Shomen-dori Ainomachi Higashi-iru, Shimogyō-ku, Kyoto 600-8190
Tel：075-371-9210

This site was donated by the third Shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, in 1641, during the era of the 13th head of Higashi Hongan-ji, Sen’nyo Shonin. The garden was created by incorporating the preferences of Ishikawa Jozan (a writer and also expert garden designer at the time).
The name “Shosei-en” was taken from a verse found in Gui Qu Lai Ci (Come Away Home), a poem about a life in the countryside by Tao Yuanming. Various aspects of the garden such as a tea house built partially over the pond water’s surface and a roofed bridge add Chinese elements to the scenery.
The site is in the shape of a near-perfect square. Since it is 100 ken (approximately 180 meters) on each side, the palace was also called “Hyakken Yashiki” (100 ken mansion). Another name was Kikoku-tei, as “Kikoku” (trifoliate oranges; Poncirus trifoliata) were planted there. The garden is highly regarded for its flowers blossoming in all seasons and diverse landscapes known as the “Thirteen Landscapes.”
Although it is a stroll garden with ponds where visitors can walk around the garden, the path does not circle the pond.

Juko-in is a temple that belongs to the Daitoku-ji school of the Rinzai sect and has ties with the Sansenke tea schools (the three Sen Families). The Karesansui (dry landscape) garden at the south of the Hojo (the cheif monk’s residence) is said to have been created by Sen-no-rikyu. The garden is about 165 square meters. All the stones installed in the garden are relatively small, but Tateishi (standing stones) at key locations give accents to the scenery.

cultural property : historic sites and places of scenic beauty as natural monuments　
type : places of scenic beauty

58 Murasakino Daitokujichō, Kita-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 603-8231
Tel：075-492-6880

Juko-in is a temple that belongs to the Daitoku-ji school of the Rinzai sect. It was built by Miyoshi Yoshitsugu in 1566, who invited the 107th head of Daitoku-ji, Shorei Sokin, in order to pray for the repose of his father Nagayoshi. In the precinct, there is a cemetery for the three Sen Families, where Sen-no-rikyu also rests.
The Karesansui (dry landscape) garden at the south of the Hojo (the chief monk’s residence) is said to have been created by Sen-no-rikyu. The garden is about 165 square meters. Due to the number of stone arrangements, it is called “Hyakuseki-no-niwa (Garden of 100 Stone Arrangements).”
The area of the garden covered by moss is separated from the background by hedges, along which two groups of stone arrangements are placed from east to west. The central section is slightly elevated with 石塙. All the stones are small. Tateishi (standing stones) placed at key points give variation to the scenery.

The garden is known as Gansho-tei and located at the north side of the main temple and the study at Shofuku-ji. According to “Gansho-do Kazan-ki,” a historical record, the garden was created by Sensho, chief monk of the temple, in 1843 (the Tenpo Era). Since an old garden is rare in the Ayabe region, Gansho-tei is valuable in terms of having clearly known information about the garden’s creator as well as its year of foundation.

cultural property : historic sites and places of scenic beauty as natural monuments
type : places of scenic beauty

Komaruyama-33 Takanosuchō, Ayabe-shi, Kyōto-fu 629-1263
Tel：0773-46-0185

The garden is known as Gansho-tei and located at the north side of the main temple and the study at Shofuku-ji. The temple has a garden record called “Gansho-do Kazan-ki.” According to this record, the garden was created by the chief monk, Sensho, in 1843.
The temple is located in a picturesque area where the Yura River flows to the north, mountains in the distance can be seen, and a hill lies directly behind the temple.
There is a Tsukiyama (artificial hill) to the back left, where a guardian stone is placed. Next to the Tsukiyama a dry waterfall is arranged with stones. The Tsukiyama slopes gently to the right, and its center at the front has another Tateishi and a dry waterfall. A stone bridge is also installed. Locally produced mountain rocks are used for the stone arrangements. There is a dry pond at the foot of the Tsukiyama, which protrudes to the front to form an island-like shape. Stepping stones placed around the pond link the main temple and the study.
Since an old garden is rare in the Ayabe region, Gansho-tei is valuable in terms of having clearly known information about the garden’s creator as well as its year of foundation.

Nanzen-ji was built in 1291 during the Sho’o Era in the Kamakura Period. The garden belongs to a Hojo, where the chief monk resides. It is believed that the garden was created by Kobori Enshu at the beginning of the Edo Period. In contrast to other Japanese gardens that represent Buddhist cosmology with Tsukiyama and large stones, this garden has stones that are placed flat, a style called a flat Karesansui (dry landscape) garden, or more commonly, “young tigers crossing the river.

cultural property : historic sites and places of scenic beauty as natural monuments　
type : places of scenic beauty

86 Nanzenji Fukuchicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 606-8435
Tel：075-771-0365

Nanzen-ji is the head temple of the Nanzen-ji school (the Rinzai sect). The Hojo (the chief monk’s residence) is a former Empress’s palace relocated to Nanzen-ji in 1611. It is believed that the garden was created around the same time.
The garden is said to have been made by Kobori Enshu. It is an excellent example of a Karesansui (dry landscape) garden from the early Edo Period. It is a flat garden with white sand sectioned off by the Hojo and Tsuiji-bei (roofed mud wall) into an orderly rectangular shape. When seen from the Hojo, the garden has a principal stone placed in the back left, and a few stones to the right along the wall. The front and right of the Hojo is a spacious area with white sand. Between the ornamental stones, maples, pines, hollies, camelias, and dwarf azaleas trimmed into spheres are planted. The white sand, garden stones, garden trees, and the Tsuiji-bei create harmonious scenery together with pine forests and mountains in the background. The white surface of the Tsuiji-bei has five light-blue parallel lines called “Jogi-suji.” The Jogi-suji signifies that a temple is headed by a monk with a royal background (“Monzeki”), and the number of lines represents the rank of the temple, with five lines representing the highest rank.