Tenryu-ji Temple – Sogenchi Garden, Kyoto

Considered one of Kyoto's very best sights, the garden enveloping Tenryu-ji Temple seamlessly blends elements of nature to create a harmonious landscape. White sand, arranged in wave patterns, intermingles with moss, flowers and trees, punctuated by an impressive collection of rocks set upon a tranquil pond. Sole survivor from the temple's original design, the pond itself forms the shape of the Chinese character "kokoro", meaning "enlightened heart". Intended to be admired from the veranda of the Abbot's Quarters, it presents a three-dimensional tableau, featuring a waterfall, peninsula, and rocky shoreline mimicking a seascape, all framed by the distant hills.

A leisurely stroll along the path on the pond's far side guides visitors past shrubbery carefully positioned to obscure direct views of the pond and heighten focus on the surrounding flora. For Muso Soseki, the garden's designer and first temple abbot, it served as a conduit to realizing one's inner Buddha nature, emphasizing contemplation as a path to enlightenment.

Take your time to wander the garden, soaking in its breathtaking vistas and capturing memorable photos. Despite its compact size, exploring alongside the temple (which requires a combined ticket) can be completed in under an hour, even at a leisurely pace. And even if you opt not to enter the temple buildings, glimpses into some of them can be enjoyed while circling the pond.