a 14th-century Zen garden located within Tenryu-ji Temple and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Masterpiece: Designed by legendary Zen monk Muso Soseki around 1339, it is one of the oldest gardens in Japan to remain in its original form.
The Design: It is famous for the "Borrowed Scenery" (Shakkei) technique, where the Arashiyama mountains in the background are integrated into the garden's design to make it feel vast and endless.
The Pond: The heart of the garden is a large pond shaped like the Chinese character for "heart" (心), surrounded by rocks, pine trees, and a symbolic stone "waterfall" representing the journey to enlightenment.
The Experience: It is meant to be a place for meditation and reflection. The view of the fiery red maples in Autumn or cherry blossoms in Spring reflecting in the still water is considered one of the most beautiful sights in Kyoto.
