Attractions > Kyoto > Shrines Temples > Kyoto North

About | Access | Hotels & Lodging | Hours & Fees

Rryoanji Kyoto Zen Rock Garden by Cquest (CC BY-SA 2.5)

 

About

Ryoanji, which is a very cool name in English: The Temple of the Dragon at Peace, (in Japanese; Ryoan Ji 龍安寺) is "The" most famous Rock Garden in Japan... and therefore the world as Japan is "The" Rock Garden king. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. The "technical" term for this type of garden is "Kare Sansui" which means, Dry Landscape. Hundreds of tourists and Japanese visit Ryoanji every day.

Original the grounds were those of a rich politician (Fujiwara family in the 11th century) but was converted to a Zen temple in 1450 (The main temple being a kilometer to the south) by a powerful Japanese warlord just before the Onin War. The original temple was destroyed in the war but his son re-built it to its glory... although there seems to be some controversy over exactly who built it and exactly when... lets leave that to the scholars and just enjoy its beauty!

You must view the garden a precise way (so it is said). You should view it from a seated position on the veranda of the residence. Everything in the garden is placed specifically so the entire garden can be see at once, from the correct spot. Everything in the garden and the feeling you are to embellish all have significant meaning. Most tourists may do the "Wally World" pause, shake your head and move on thing but if you take the time to really... gaze... you may just catch a glimpse of what the true meaning is meant to convey. Although, the "meaning" and or artistic "value" may mean one thing so one person and something totally different to another.

The Rock Garden is of course the most famous spot at Ryoanji Temple but the other gardens around the complex are also very beautiful. If you have some extra time please take a walk around the Kyoyochi Pont too.

 

Access

Closest Train Station: Ryoanji

13, Ryoanji Goryonoshitacho
Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8001 Japan

Tel: 075-463-2216

from Kyoto Station: There is a direct bus from Kyoto station (it is a JR Bus so covered by Japan Rail Pass if you have one). Please ask at the information desk in Kyoto Station or your hotel clerk about the details. From Kyoto Station it takes about 30 min.
from Kinkakuji (if your already there): Ryoanji is a five minute bus ride or 20 minute walk west of Kinkakuji.

Google Map

 

Hotels & Lodging

View a full list of Hotels and Lodging in or nearby Ryoan-ji.

 

Hours & Fees

Hours: The grounds of Shrines and Temples are generally open 27/7, 365 days a year but, many set their own hours. If hours are set, they are generally open from 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. in the morning and close around 4:30 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. in the evening.

Cost: The general grounds of Shrines and Temples are free but may charge a small fee (a couple/few hundred yen) for special gardens, exhibitions, artifact viewing, etc.

Information presented is based on the time it was created. There may be changes since publication. Please confirm information by visiting the Official Website before visiting.

 

Resources

Website: Ryoan-ji Homepage