With its well-preserved temples, Kyoto has always been the best place in all of Japan to indulge in the wonders of the Japanese garden. This three hour walking seminar focuses on garden design during the Muromachi period, which saw a flourishing of Japanese culture, including the creation of Zen Buddhism.
This beautiful tour starts at Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion. It wasn’t untill the death of its private owner, Shogun Yoshimitsu Ashikaga, in 14th century that this impressive structure became a Zen Buddhist temple. This was an established tradition, so many of Kyoto’s temples served as private villas in the past. The pavilion is reflected in the Mirror Pond with its numerous man-made islands. While beholding this beautiful combination of water and stone in the environment, we’ll try to understand what message is hidden behind and discuss what makes the structure a real Buddhist temple.
A short trip on the local bus will take you to the location of excellent examples of Zen rock gardens. The Karesansui Garden at Ryoan-ji is a prime example dry Zen gardens, giving great contrast to the water used at Kinkaku-ji. The philosophy behind the Zen gardens and their connection to Zen Buddhist tenets provide a means for understanding how form and function are bound tightly together.
Ninna-ji, the final stop on your tour, dates from the Heian period and contains both dry gardens and gardens with water features, linking together the principles revealed over the course of this walking seminar. Your expert guide will do his best for you to leave the tour with deeper understanding of how Japanese garden and landscape reflect a wider philosophy and culture.
Minimum purchase: 2 tickets.
Incluso nel prezzo
- A three-hour expert-led guided tour of Japanese Gardens and Landscape
Punto d' Incontro
You will meet your docent at the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji). We will meet at the corner of Kurama-guchi Dori and Kagamiishi Dori, by the traffic lights. Please wait right at the corner. This is at the entrance to the path leading to The Golden Pavilion. Do not go to the ticketing booth. We will meet before entering the park and will go together.
Durata
3 ore
Orari di aperture
Daily
Dimensioni Gruppo / Numero di Partecipanti
Lingue disponibili
