There is a very interesting history of Japanese gardens. Here is a sampling of some of Japan’s best examples of what I believe to be a ‘historical art form’… The Japanese garden.
Kyoto is a Japanese city that has perhaps the highest concentration of Japanese gardens. These are the ones you should visit or read:
Kyoto Imperial Palace: It was the home of the Japanese emperor until 1868
Nijo Castle: the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa shogun
Nanzenji: a Zen temple with a beautiful and serene stone garden
Ryoanji: Japan’s most famous Zen temple with an impressive rock garden
Daitokuji – a large Zen temple complex
Katsura villa- a Japanese garden villa
Tenryuji – This is a temple in the Arashiyama area of Kyoto
Daigoji: This famous temple is located in the southeast of Kyoto.
Byodoin – A good example of a land garden from the Heian period of Japanese history.
Each period of Japanese history saw a change in Japanese garden design and construction, and outside influences, most notably from China, shaped the evolution of the Japanese garden.
There are fine examples of Japanese gardens around the world, but this article focuses on Japan’s best creations. Outside of Kyoto there are some wonderful gardens to enjoy.
Yokohama-Sankeien, is a really spacious beautiful Japanese garden.
Kamakura, Zuisenji Temple, most famous for its Zen gardens.
Mito-Kairakuen Garden that has 3000 plum trees!
Hiraizumi-Motsuji Garden, this has a temple and a pure land garden.
Inuyama-Urakuen Garden, this garden has a magnificent house for the tea ceremony.
Yoshino-Chikurin-in Temple, a ryokan temple with a stunning garden.
Kobe, right in the center of the city, is the Sorakuen Garden. It is a landscape garden.
Himeji: Kokoen Garden is right next to Himeji Castle.
Hiroshima – As you know, this city has a history, but it also has a fantastic Japanese garden.
Yamaguchi- has a very famous Zen garden at the Joeiji Temple.
Dazaifu – Another beautiful Zen garden in Komyozenji.
Kumamoto-Suizenji Koen, a landscape garden that reproduces the Tokaido.
Kagoshima-Senganen is an amazing Japanese-style landscape garden.
Naha- this was the second residence of the second Ryukyu Kings and the garden is called Shikinaen.
If you ever travel to Japan, try to visit at least a few of these spectacular gardens. It’s quite easy to get around Japan as they have a wonderful public transportation system, so take advantage of it! I hope you have found this information useful.
