Ryōan-ji

Kyoto Is One of the Best Places to Travel in 2023 — and Winter Is an Underrated Time to Visit

"Home to the most famous karesansui (Japanese dry garden) in the area, where rock-and-sand arrangements are meticulously raked to resemble rippling water, encouraging quiet contemplation and a calming, meditative gaze—particularly suited to solitary winter visits." - Katie Chang Katie Chang Katie Chang is a writer living in Brooklyn, New York. Her work has been published in Forbes, Travel + Leisure, T: The New York Times Style Magazine, Esquire, Architectural Digest, Vogue, Food & Wine, Town & Country, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

"Kyoto’s Ryoanji, a UNESCO World HeritageSite, is home to Japan’s most famous seki-tei garden, which is simply composed of rocks and raked gravel. The garden is surrounded by high walls on three sides; the fourth side faces the veranda of quite a lovely temple building—don’t neglect getting a good look at the building's fusumas (painted room screens). But the real draw is simply sitting on the veranda and gazing upon the garden. There is no vantage point from which you can see all 15 of the garden’s black stones at once. No one is quite sure what the original designer had in mind when he came up with it in the 1470s, though one common interpretation is that the stones represent islands rising above the sea. Every tour to Kyoto comes here, so it can get very crowded; the earlier in the morning you can arrive, the better your experience will be."

A Mother and Son Search for Zen in Kyoto

"That afternoon Sam and I went to the famous Zen rock garden at Ryoan-ji temple, and watched the waning sunlight inch across the pebbles, which were raked corduroy-like across the rectangular garden."

The Ultimate Japan Itinerary for 2025: From 1 to 3 Weeks

"My favorite Kyoto temple, Ryoan-ji began as a samurai residence in 1450 and became a Zen temple; its celebrated rock-and-sand garden, UNESCO status, and teahouse overlooking the Kyoyochi pool (where you can experience chanoyu) make it especially memorable." - Matthew Kepnes

The Perfect 7-Day Japan Itinerary (Updated 2025)

"My favorite temple in Kyoto, Ryoan-ji was established in 1450 and converted into a Zen temple; it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a famed rock-and-sand garden considered one of the best in the country, a mausoleum housing seven emperors’ remains, and a teahouse where you can experience a traditional tea ceremony overlooking the Kyoyochi reflecting pool." - Matthew Kepnes