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Ryoanji - Kyoto
Ryoanji
by elcbw
Things to Do in Kyoto: Ryoan-ji tips and photos posted by real travelers and Kyoto locals.
Ryoan-ji
• 43 Photos
• 27 Reviews
Kyoto Ryoan-ji ReviewsTips 1 - 10 of 27  
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Ryoan-ji: Ryoanji Temple
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  • Updated By bkoon on May 23, 2004
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  • The Temple Well - Kyoto
    The Temple Well
    by bkoon
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    It rained the whole day and we needed to use an umbrella. When we reached Ryoanji Temple, only I was keen to enter and the rest were having temple burnt-out and they did not like the hassle of needing to walk in and out with their bulky umbrella. When you first enter the temple compound, you will pass by a large pond with a little island where a small shrine is sitting on. The whole place was shaded with trees and hence, quite cooling to walk around even on a hot day (I believe). As you enter the main temple building, you will see some Japanese Calligraphy at the doorsteps. They looked nice with thewarm lighting. The highlight of Ryoanji temple is its zen garden. There are 15 rocks placed on a rectangular piece of land full of small little stones. While sitting there gazing at the garden, you can then imagine what do all these symbolise. Quite amazing. There are also a few tearooms in the temple and not forgetting the nice temple water "well" at the back of the temple. Extracted from web-link : A temple of the Myoshinji Branch of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism. Originally a villa of the Tokudaiji family it was taken over by Hosokawa Katsumoto in 1450 and turned into a temple of the Zen sect. The famous rock garden in front of the quarters of the head priest is a Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty. The garden is surrounded on three sides by an oil-stained earthen wall that is topped with cypress shingles. In December 1994 this simple yet profound garden of 15 rocks set within white gravel was listed as part of the World Heritage. In the eastern garden there stands a teahouse Zorokuan. Entrance Fee : 500 Yen

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  • Address: 13 Goryonoshita-cho Ryoanji Ukyo-ku
  • Phone: 075-463-2216
  • Directions: City Bus and JR Bus: Ryoanji-mae -walk 1 min 15 minute walk west of Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion.
  • Other Contact: Fax : 075-463-2218

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    Ryoan-ji: Ryoan-ji's Karesansui
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  • By naruto on January 22, 2004
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  • Contemplating Ryoan-ji's Rock Garden - Kyoto
    Contemplating Ryoan-ji's Rock
    Garden
    by naruto
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    Ryoan-ji is a famous temple in Kyoto because of its rock garden or "karesansui". Karesansui means dry landscape gardens. Composed mainly of 15 rocks and white sand, it serves as a simple and subtle landscape in which many people has come to admire and to contemplate over. It is said that the 15 stones are arrange in such a way that no matter which angle you are viewing the garden from , you can only see 14 stones. It is only when you attain spiritual enlightenment through Zen meditation, that you are able to see the 15th stone. Besides the rock garden, Ryoan-ji has beautiful architecture and a "mirror-shaped" pond on its ground. A path leads around the pond for you to admire the various birds and waterfowls, as well as the sweeping trees along its banks. Ryoan-ji (Temple of the Peaceful Dragon) is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Opening hours are 8am-5pm, and 8am-4:30pm during the winter. Entrance fees: 500yen for adults and high school students 300yen for junior hight students and primary school kids.

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  • Address: Goryo-no-***a-cho, Ryoanji, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi
  • Phone: 075?|463?|2216
  • Directions: Ryoan-ji is a 15-min walk west of Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion. Or take bus 59 to Ryoanji-mae stop.
  • Website: http://www.ryoanji.jp/ (in Japanese only)

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    Ryoan-ji: Ryoan-ji Complexity and Simplicity. Zen Garden
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  • Updated By giampiero6 on October 13, 2003
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  • Etsu Sitting - Kyoto
    Etsu Sitting
    by giampiero6
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    Of all the temples and wonders of Kyoto that I saw, I must say that the peacefulness and serenity here was the most affecting. I really did not want to leave this place. Basically the small temple houses one of the best examples of zen gardens in which rakes grey stones, and large stones are used to create a contemplative 'garden' space. You can sort of idle ponder or not ponder the universe, the oceans, existence but basically you're just sitting. One interesting features is that there are 15 stones in the arrangement and there's only one spot from which you can see all 15. have a look and see if you can find it.


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    Ryoan-ji: Ryoan-ji
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  • Updated By DirtyRudy on June 5, 2003
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  • Ryoan-ji Rock Garden - Kyoto
    Ryoan-ji Rock Garden
    by DirtyRudy
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    If you like to sit, meditate, and say "umm", then this is definitely the place to do it. Designated a World Heritage, Ryoan-ji was built in 1450 under Hosokawa Katsutomo. It's famous for its Zen rock garden surrounded by soft, earthen walls. Unfortunately, there're always so many people there at the rock garden so it's difficult to get some peace and quiet to meditate. The garden is supposed to be the best representation of Zen philosphy. The most popular interpretation of the garden is a mother tiger and her cubs, swimming in the river towards a terrifying dragon. Personally, I thought they were McNuggets sitting in a pile of salt. Admission: Adults: 500 Yen Children: 300 Yen Hours: 8:00 - 17:00

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  • Address: Goryo-no-***a-cho, Ryoanji, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi
  • Phone: +81 (0)75 463-2216
  • Directions: Take a city or JR bus to Ryoanji-mae.

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    Ryoan-ji: Ryoanji Temple
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  • Updated By shrimp56 on June 20, 2003
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  • Ryoan-ji - Kyoto
    by shrimp56
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    This is the classic Japanese Zen "dry garden" -- it was featured in a Smithsonian film titled "Dream Window." In English called "the temple of the sleeping dragon", Ryoanji is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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  • Website: http://www.yamasa.org/japan/english/destinations/kyoto/ryoanji.html

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    Ryoan-ji: ryoanji temple and gardens
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  • By chaistarr on January 7, 2003
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  • Ryoan-ji - Kyoto
    by chaistarr
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    unesco place. Ryoanji is a temple belonging to the Myoshinji school of the Rinzai branch of the Zen sect, famous for its "karesansui" or rock garden. 30 m wide and 10 m deep, the garden contains 15 rocks arranged on the surface of white pebbles in such a manner that visitors can see only 14 of them at once, from whichever angle the garden is viewed. The Temple was founded in 1450 under the patronage of Hosokawa Katsumoto, a top-ranking war load, who was offered the premises by the Tokudaiji family. Entering the temple you first see the beautiful Kyoyochi ("Mirror shaped") Pond. This pond was created by the Tokudaiji family in the 12th century. The pond is home to many waterbirds, and until relatively recently to many Mandarin ducks - so much so that the pond was generally known amongst Japanese as the pond of mandarin ducks. The pond has 2 small islands. The slightly large one has a small bridge leading across to a shrine to Benten - the sole female deity among the 7 Shinto gods of good luck. Leave the pond for now and climb up the stairs through the Chinese style gateway (Kara-mon) and you will reach a building called the monk's quarters. This is the largest building and one of the few that wasn't reconstructed.. It is attached to the Hojo by a wide wooden corridor. The Hojo is the Abbot's quarters.

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  • Directions: about 20 minute walk from the golden temple.

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    Ryoan-ji: RYOANJI TEMPLE
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  • Updated By heywinks on November 20, 2002
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  • Ryoanji Rock Garden - Kyoto
    Ryoanji Rock Garden
    by heywinks
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    This temple is famous for its rock garden made up of white sand & 15 rocks. It was laid out at the end of the 15th century. In pictures the garden looks larger than what it really is. But this is a place to meditate & reflect. Look at the swirls of the sand. The placement of the rocks. You will be moved. Also notice the "Tsukubai" (a stone washbasin for the tea room) near the main building. It is inscribed "I learn only to be contented". The grounds of this temple is amazing.Be sure to take a walk around the pond! Also, taste & buy the tea at the entrance of the temple. It`s amazing & so delicious!!

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  • Address: 13 Ryuanji Goryonoshita-cho, Ukyo-Ku, Kyoto
  • Phone: 075-463-2216
  • Directions: Take the #101 or #205 bus from JR station to Kinkakuji-michi stop. Transfer to bus #59 & get off at Ryoanji-mae.

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    Ryoan-ji: RYOAN-JI
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  • By caravaggio on July 28, 2006
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  • Ryoan-ji - Kyoto
    by caravaggio
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    One of the famous ji's or pavillıons or temples:) of kyoto and also japan. It has got a very huge lake in its garden and you can also get into the temple. Its just below (5min walk) from Golden temple. You will meet many tourists and cant find much more interesting than its stone garden.

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    Ryoan-ji: When you need time to daydream
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  • By yukisanto on February 2, 2007
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  • building of ryoanji - Kyoto
    building of ryoanji
    by yukisanto, 2 more photos
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    Ryoanji is basically just a simple building with the famous zen garden - nothing else to see. That said, go and see it - it's' a good place to daydream if you don't want to sit and guess at the number of stones you can see. It's said you can't see all 15 stones at any angle, but of course that's the way it'll be when you hide small stones behind big stones. It's 15mins west of kinkakuji and 10min east of ninnaji. Cost 500yen. Opens from 8-5pm Take bus 205 from kyoto station

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    Ryoan-ji: Rock Garden in Ryoanji
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  • Updated By ngcsc on February 2, 2005
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  • Ryoan-ji - Kyoto
    by ngcsc
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    The Rock Garden in Ryoanji is one of the must see spot in Kyoto. This "rock" is the real "rock", not that "rock n' roll" Sitting in front of the rock garden, seeing the design, the structure of the sand and rock is how the people mediatation in this temple. Try to count the number of rock in the garden, you'll found it will never accurate.

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  • Address: Ryoanji, Kyoto

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