Reservations must be made in writing via return postcard, and can be sent only to addresses within Japan. If you can, bring a magnifying glass to peer at the mosses up close. Leaves rustle with the wind in the cedars and maple trees around you, and the air is cool, fresh, and alive with the breath of moss. Imagine lush velvet blankets of moss in all shades of green covering every hillock and stone you see. There’s no better place in Kyoto for moss-lovers than Saiho-ji. Here in Japan, it’s embraced and actively cultivated. In most Western countries, moss is something to be eradicated from gardens. Audio guides are available, but my preference is to soak up the sights, unencumbered by constant chatter in my ear. You’ll need your passport when making an advance application tour spaces are limited and are quickly filled. Visiting Katsura Rikyu requires joining a free tour conducted entirely in Japanese. Mirrorlike ponds, perfectly shaped trees and bushes, winding pathways - on this sprawling estate, there’s something to surprise and delight at every turn. If you visit just one “hard-to-access” garden in Kyoto, make it Katsura Rikyu. Originally built for the Imperial Family, it’s considered to be one of the finest existing examples of Japanese gardens and architecture. Its World Heritage Site status has brought in visitors by the millions, but it still retains its charm. The secret is visiting when it opens at 8:30am, before the surrounding shops begin plying their wares. There’s much to appreciate here: the Sea of Silver Sand, so named for its appearance under moonlight the charmingly named Moon-Washing Fountain the lush, moss-covered foothills and the ever-changing flowers and trees throughout the seasons. ![]() Ginkaku-ji, or the Silver Pavilion, was conceived as a private villa in the 15th century. ![]() Here’s a short list featuring many of the best gardens in Japan: Some are quite famous, others are relatively hidden gems. ![]() Where, then, should you go? To help you decide, we’ve compiled a short list of excellent gardens in Tokyo, Kyoto, and other parts of Japan. Spend plenty of time in a few of them quietly observing, letting their qualities sink in. The antidote to being “gardened out” is to choose your gardens carefully. Trust me: It’s not a fun way to remember your holiday. At their best, Japanese gardens are places of contemplation, and an escape from the frenzy of modern life, but for the short-term visitor to Japan, deciding which gardens to visit can feel a little hectic.Īt worst, one ends up attempting to “do” as many as possible within a few days - which usually results in everything blurring into a single garden in your head.
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