Ryoanji Temple

This Buddhist temple in Ukyo Ward in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture is famous for its rock garden. A Zen temple, it was founded in 1450 by the statesman Hosokawa Katsumoto. The shrine grew dilapidated due to the anti-Buddhism movement of the early Meiji period but became world-famous after Queen Elizabeth II visited the temple and praised the beauty of the rock garden. The garden, called the Hojo Tei-en, is a traditional flat garden comprised of 15 stones of various sizes placed amongst white gravel which are designed such that one of the stones will not be visible no matter what angle one views the garden from. Highlights of the temple include Japanese camellias admired by the great general Toyotomi Hideyoshi as well as the Zorakuan tea house. The best time to see the water lilies blooming in the temple pond starts from early summer.

Spot details

Address: Kyoto Kyoutoshi Ukyou-ku Ryouanji Otoritoshita 13 Map
Area: Around Kinkaku-Ji Temple Area
Phone: 0754632216
Hours: [Mar.- Nov.]8:00-17:00
[Dec.- Feb.]8:30-16:30
Closed: open everyday
Fees: [Admission fee] Adults/High school students500yen, Elementary and junior high school students300yen
Parking Lot: Available(80spaces)
Credit Card: Not available
Smoking: Not available
Wi-Fi: Not available
English Menu: Available (only for the contents of the pamphlet)
Estimated stay time: 30-60 minutes
Wheelchair accessible: Yes (Wheelchairs cannot be placed inside the square)