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Kyoto has always been special to the Japanese; both as a city of historical importance
as well as for its lush green parks and gardens. This city was the capital of
Japan from 794 A.D. till 1868 A.D. Though Kyoto lost its status to Tokyo after
1868, it is now Japan's seventh largest city with a moderate 1.4 million population.
The city prides itself as home to some of the most picturesque gardens in Japan.
A visit to Kyoto Parks and Gardens is a must for all travelers.
To talk about Kyoto parks and gardens, one cannot possibly exclude Pure Land
Garden on the temple grounds of Byodoin from the list. It is in fact regarded
as one of the very few remaining pure land gardens. It is also believed that
the influence of this garden, during the Heian era, led to the spread of this
type of gardens all over Japan. The garden used to contain the Uji river during
the Heian period. However, the garden now includes the hills on the far side
of the river as well. The Ajike pond inside the temple property enhances the
scenic beauty of the garden.
Ryoanji, a Zen temple in Northwestern Kyoto, is famous for its rock garden.
Unlike other Japanese lush green gardens, this garden on the temple ground is
decorated with rocks, moss and gravel. Visitors often wonder about the significance
of such arrangement. The reason is unknown and thus it leaves scope for personal
interpretation.
The next garden in line for Kyoto Parks and Gardens is Nanzenji. It is a Zen
temple situated at the foothills of Kyoto's eastern hills. First built as a
royal residence in 1264, Nanzenji was in 1291 converted to a temple. There are
several buildings on the temple property and each building has a marvelous garden.
However, the most famous among them is a rock garden which is housed in Seiryo-den,
the main building of Nanzenji. This rock garden is decorated by rocks, gravel
and a few patches of moss. Nanzenin is a sub temple on the same ground and its
garden looks spectacular with autumn leaves strewn all over the garden floor.
This place is easily accessible to the travelers.
The Imperial Park in Kyoto is famous for its vast expanse. Situated at the
heart of Kyoto city this park provides refuge to thousands of birds. The vast
streets inside the park are covered with gravel.
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