Japanese Gardens
Kyoto's Kinkakuji Temple was built at the end of the 14th century originally as a villa for Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the shogun at the time. The shining Kinkaku ("Golden Pavilion") is a symbol of Kyoto.
Kyoto's Ryoanji Temple is home to the most famous of all stone gardens in Japan. Originally an aristocrat's villa during the Heian Period, the site was converted into a Zen temple in 1450.
Kenrokuen is one of Japan's "three most beautiful landscape gardens". The spacious grounds used to be the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle and were constructed by the ruling Maeda family.