Temple with the most famous dry rock garden in the world; admission ~600 ¥.
The rock garden of Ryoan-ji temple is considered the most perfect in the world within the Zen tradition of karesansui (dry garden). Dated to around 1488, the garden consists of 15 stones arranged in five groups on a surface of meticulously raked white sand. The enigma that makes it fascinating: from any point of the wooden corridor that surrounds it there is always one stone hidden from view. No one has deciphered with certainty the meaning of the composition. It opens from March to November from 8:00 to 17:00, and from December to February from 8:30 to 16:30; admission costs 600 ¥. In addition to the garden, the grounds include a beautiful pond with carp and ducks that deserves a quiet stroll. The best time to visit is right at opening or late in the afternoon, when the bustle of tourist groups subsides and it is possible to contemplate the garden with the calm it deserves. Combine it with Kinkaku-ji, a 20-minute walk away.
