Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple, in the western area of Kyoto City, is famous for its rock garden. It was built in 1450, and is a Zen Buddhist temple.
In 1994, Ryoanji Temple was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site as a “Historic Monument of Ancient Kyoto”. The most famous part of the temple is its rock garden, which is made simply of 15 rocks on a white sand surface. Its simplicity gives it its depth, and visitors are left in awe at this serene sight.
In the spring, you can see the rock garden surrounded by blossoming cherry trees. In the fall months, colored maple leaves garnish the temple grounds.