Muromachi-period World Heritage garden with a pond, carp and a view of Mount Arashiyama; garden admission ~500 ¥.
The Sogenchi garden of Tenryu-ji temple is the oldest Zen garden in Japan designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and one of the most beautiful in Kyoto. It was created in the 14th century by the monk and garden master Muso Soseki, and stands out for its masterful use of "borrowed scenery": the hills of Arashiyama and Mount Kameyama seem to form part of the garden behind the central pond, full of colourful carp. The technique changes with each season: intense green in summer, yellow and red in autumn, snowy white in winter. Admission to the garden only costs 500 ¥; accessing the temple buildings as well has an additional cost of 300 ¥. It opens from 8:30 to 17:00. The temple's north gate connects directly with the Sagano bamboo grove, so combining both visits in the same morning is the most practical and advisable option. In autumn the garden opens at 7:30 to make the most of the dawn light.
