Tofuku-ji Temple is large and imposing, but it also contains touches of beauty and splendor like those found in its gardens: The Hojo Garden, and the Ryogin-an Garden. In the Hojo Garden, four gardens (North, South, East, West) flank the main Hojo building, each with its own unique character. In the Ryogin-an Gardens, rocks, colorful sand, moss, grass, shapes, patterns, trees, bamboo, walls, wood, light, sky and more all work their magic here in a mixture of modern and traditional. Both gardens also have very beautiful wood corridors where you can find a warm and pleasant spot to sit and meditate.
- 1 min read
Tofuku-ji Temple Gardens
Classic Zen gardens, with a splash of the modern

Community writer

The gardens include touches of both traditional and modern design

The wood on display here is elegant and beautiful

This garden is quite traditional, but not too simple

Grass, trees, wall, sand, and light all interact with one another

Find a quiet corner to mediate in

In autumn, the colors are beautiful

The four gardens flank the Hojo building

Japanese Maple (Momiji) and moss

This garden has a mixture of modern and traditional

Bamboo walls also play a part in the design of the gardens

Notice how the eaves are made up of many pieces of wood

A very interesting use of color in the sand

And back to traditional Zen
Join the discussion
Justin Velgus
10 years ago
Excellent pictures, Larry. I think most photographers would have been too hypnotized by the sand garden to take any other shots. However, you showed us some interesting details, including the eaves of the roof and the bamboo fencing. Thanks!
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