Kyoto, Ryoanji Temple
Wondrous Destinations
For centuries, this classic dry meditation garden — a minimalist arrangement of 15 moss-covered boulders in a field of precisely raked gravel — has inspired deep reflection at one of Japan's most celebrated Zen temples. International recognition has greatly compromised the tranquility of Ryoanji during visiting hours, but spend enough time at the temple grounds and you'll begin to tune out the shuffling of feet on the wooden viewing porch and the inevitable mischief of visiting school children. The longer you sit in quiet contemplation, the more the subtle power of this sublime symbolic landscape will come to light.
Japan National Tourist Organization: www.jnto.go.jp
Kyoto City Tourism & Culture Information System: www.raku.city.kyoto.jp
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