Zen Garden, Zen Mind
“When a garden is used as a place to pause for thought, that is when a Zen garden comes to life. When you contemplate a garden like this it will form a lasting impression in your heart.”
— Muso Soseki, 13th c. Zen monk
The Japanese garden defies quick and easy understanding. As we move in awe through one of these masterpieces we can feel that there is something deeper than just the physical beauty that surrounds us. This experience is designed to go to the heart of that "something deeper".
While occupying some of Kyoto's most magical and sacred spaces that artists, nobles, and Zen monks created hundreds of years ago, you will hear in-depth explanations and insights into the world of Japanese gardens that you would never learn about otherwise. The Japanese garden will be revealed to you as an expression of profound art-- amazing living and breathing sculptures nestled within the larger landscape of Kyoto.
As you will undoubtedly visit at least several temples and gardens while you are in Japan, this experience will equip you with all the tools you need to help make your experience one that will form a lasting impression on your heart.
Sites Visited
KONCHI-IN A temple so closely connected to a central figure in Japanese history that there is a shrine dedicated to him on the grounds. This temple is a tour with-in a tour as it has all elements one could hope to see: high-level architecture, gardens, statuary, paintings and the aforementioned shrine. As we spend time in this temple all worldly stresses will fade away.
NANZEN-JI SANMON One of the largest temple gates in all of Japan and one of the major architectural landmarks of Kyoto. Remarkably very few metal nails or screws were used in it’s construction. It is impossible to not get lost in your thoughts as you marvel at the technical genius necessary to create such a masterpiece,
TENJU-AN We arrive at the “Hermitage of the Heavenly Teacher”. This temple contains two profound gardens, one of which when entered, gives the sensation of suddenly entering into a forest and having stumbled upon a fairy tale world.
NANZEN-JI HATTO The Hatto is the central structure of the Nanzen-ji monastery and is where formal events and official Buddhist ceremonies are held. We will have a chance to have a look into the massive space and view a powerful image on the ceiling.
NANZEN-JI SUIROKAKU This aqueduct is part of a canal system that was constructed to carry water and goods between Kyoto and Lake Biwa in neighboring Shiga Prefecture. As we spend time under this architectural giant we will no doubt contemplate why in the world such a thing exists here in this monastery!
NANZEN-JI The head temple of this monastery, tucked into the base of the Higashiyama mountain range. Home to what seems like a never-ending collection of magnificent courtyard gardens and paintings, this is one of the finest examples of high level traditional Japanese art in all of Kyoto. There is no way one can leave here without being thoroughly impressed.
LENGTH: 3.5 hours
MEETING POINT: Keage Station
RESERVE