Garden design is an importantart form which has been refined for over 1000 years. Gardens have evolved into avariety of styles with different purposes, including strolling gardens for the recreation offeudal lords and dry stone gardens for religious use bymonks. Outstanding gardens can be found across Japan, with particularly many in the former capital ofKyoto.
Below are Japan's best gardens according to japan-guide.com's editors and users:
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Adachi Museum of Art
Meticulously maintained, the relatively recently created garden at theAdachi Museum of Art nearMatsue is almost surreal. The museum's collection of Japanese paintings is also outstanding.
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Katsura Imperial Villa
The strolling garden of theKatsura Imperial Villa inKyoto is one of the first and finest of its kind. Visitors need to join a guided tour to see the garden.
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Ritsurin Koen
The recreational garden of the former local lords,Ritsurin Koen inTakamatsu is one of the most beautiful strolling gardens in Japan, featuring ponds, tea pavilions and walking trails.
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Ryoanji
Kyoto'sRyoanji Temple is home to the most famous of all stone gardens in Japan. Try to visit on weekdays in the early morning or late afternoon to reduce the crowds.
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Korakuen
Korakuen is another of the best strolling gardens of Japan. It stands next toOkayama Castle whose former residents would use it for the entertainment of guests and themselves.
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Daitokuji
Daitokuji Temple is the ultimate destination for those interested in Zen gardens. Consisting of nearly two dozen subtemples, Daitokuji offers a large number and variety of excellent gardens.
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Sankeien
The best garden in theGreater Tokyo area,Yokohama'sSankeien features a pond and a variety of historic buildings moved there from across Japan.
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Byodoin
Byodoin is the best surviving example of aPure Land Garden. Its celebrated Phoenix Hall appears on the 10 yen coin. A unique museum with temple treasures stands nearby.
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