Feel Kyoto’s Early Summer while Being Surrounded by Dark timbers and Green Moss －”Chouon-tei Garden” at Kennin-ji Temple

‘Kenninji Temple'(建仁寺), the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto, is located in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City is a secret place for fresh green. There are multiple Japanese gardens in the precincts and especially, you can see the fresh maple leaves in the dry garden style, “Chouon-tei Garden’ (潮音庭)” from late April to July every year. The space created by moss that covers the ground is surrounded by silence and dignity. It’s also a famous spot as ‘Gakubuchi teien’ (like a framed painting), so don’t forget to take a picture.

Regardless of in and out of Japan, travel, living and business incorporate the teaching of ‘Zen’ such as ‘Zazen experience’ and ‘Mindfulness meditation’. The Chinese ascetic priest, Eisai brought the teaching from China to Japan in the 1200s, and it not only spread nationwide but also had an affected on Japanese cultures such as ink painting and dry gardens. “Kenninji Temple” was built in 1202 by him. It’s also a temple that stores the national treasure, images of the wind and thunder, which is familiar in textbooks.

This temple has lots of highlights and it’s popular as a fresh green spot. Especially, the must-see one is the traditional Japanese rock garden ‘Chouon-tei Garden’, (潮音庭), which was created to show its front face no matter what angle we look at it from. The scenery of the fresh blue maple leaves spreading out to surround the garden and the deep green moss covering the ground is exactly the Japanese taste. The space is created a comfortable freshness and dignified atmosphere that unconsciously stretches your spine.

In addition, the Shoji(sliding paper doors) is like a picture frame and the garden is also a popular spot as a ‘Gakubuchi teien’ looking like a framed painting. The corridors are arranged around the garden, please find the best position while walking around.