Japanese gardens developed as expressions of religious belief and philosophical thought, evolving alongside Japan’s social and political changes.
During the Heian period (794–1185), gardens were created to represent the Buddhist Pure Land, as seen in sites such as the Byodoin. As samurai rule rose and Zen Buddhism flourished from the Kamakura (1185-1333) to Muromachi periods (1333-1573), garden design shifted toward pond-and-spring styles and karesansui (dry landscape) gardens, expressing Zen principles of contemplation and restraint. In the Edo period (1603-1868), powerful feudal lords further developed expansive daimyo gardens, including the Kenrokuen in Kanazawa.
Emperors also created refined gardens, including the Katsura Imperial Villa. These spaces are now regarded as the highest expression of classical court aesthetics.
Imperial Gardens
Katsura Imperial Villa
Authentically beautiful architecture created by two aesthetic crown princes. A must- enjoy the functional beauty of the stone path.
Shugakuin Imperial Villa
After long days of patience, Emperor Gosui reached the fulfillment of his life, which was the Shugakuin Riky
Sento Imperial Palace
A large garden of a secondary palace complex in Kyoto on the occasion of Emperor Gomizunoo's retirement. It's a great garden to visit
Zen Gardens
Saihoji (Moss Temple)
The Dry Landscape Garden was created by Muso Soseki, a monk of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism and a garden designer. Over time, it became a famous Moss Temple.
Kenninji Temple
The Daioen garden in front of Hojo Hall is a dry landscape garden with white sand paved over it. In contrast, the karesansui-style small garden called Choontei can be viewed from all sides.
Ryoanji Temple
The famous Dry Landscape garden consists of 15 stones and moss on the white sand. It is fun to look at the stone arrangements while solving the riddle of their meaning.
Chisen-Kaiyu-style Gardens with a Path Around a Central Pond
Tenryuji Temple
Located at Arashiyama, Shogun Ashikaga Takauji built Tenryuji Temple to mourn Emperor Go-Daigo. Sogen pond garden and Could Dragon painting are spectacular.
Koishikawa Korakuen
Located at the center of Tokyo, the Lords of the Mito Tokugawa Family, Yorifusa and Mitsukuni, created the garden. You can enjoy a journey from Edo to Kyoto here.
Ritsurin Park
Three Outstanding Gardens in Japan
Kenrokuen in Kanazawa
Kenrokuen is a strolling garden of the Maeda clan of the Kaga domain. The domain survived through the Edo period, thanks to the survival strategy of the lords.
Kairakuen in Mito
Kairakuen is a beautiful garden with 3,000 plum trees built by Lord Tokugawa Nariaki in the Mito Domain, making his retainers and people enjoy here.
Korakuen in Okayama
