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Below are Japan's best gardens according to japan-guide.com's editors and users: 1. Kenrokuen Built in Kanazawa for the enjoyment of the former feudal lords, Kenrokuen feels like a collection of multiple excellent gardens that include a variety of ponds, streams, hills, groves, flower gardens and several pavilions and tea houses. 2. Adachi Museum of Art Meticulously maintained, the relatively recently created garden at the Adachi Museum of Art near Matsue is almost surreal. The museum's collection of Japanese paintings is also outstanding. 3. Katsura Imperial Villa The strolling garden of the Katsura Imperial Villa in western Kyoto is one of the first and finest of its kind. Advance reservations are necessary to see the garden. 4. Kokedera The moss covered garden of Kyoto's Kokedera (Moss temple) is one of the country's most celebrated. Advance reservations by mail and participation in a sutra copying session are required to see the garden. 5. Ritsurin Koen The recreational garden of the former local lords, Ritsurin Koen in Takamatsu is one of the most beautiful strolling gardens in Japan, featuring ponds, tea pavilions and walking trails. 6. Ryoanji Kyoto's Ryoanji Temple is home to the most famous of all stone gardens in Japan. Try to visit on weekdays in the early morning or late afternoon to reduce the crowds. 7. Korakuen Korakuen is another of the best strolling gardens of Japan. It stands next to Okayama Castle whose former residents would use it for the entertainment of guests and themselves. 8. Daitokuji Daitokuji Temple is the ultimate destination for those interested in Zen gardens. Consisting of nearly two dozen subtemples, Daitokuji offers a large number and variety of excellent gardens. 9. Sankeien The best garden in the Greater Tokyo area, Yokohama's Sankeien features a central pond and a variety of historic buildings moved there from across Japan. 10. Byodoin Byodoin is the best surviving example of a Pure Land Garden. Its celebrated Phoenix Hall appears on the 10 yen coin. A unique museum with temple treasures stands nearby. Any Questions? Ask them in our question forum.

Other Famous Gardens

Hirosaki

1  Fujita Garden Spacious Japanese landscape garden. User rating: 75/100 (11 votes) Visited by: 29 users

Hiraizumi

1  Motsuji Temple Temple famous for its Pure Land Garden. User rating: 81/100 (30 votes) Visited by: 76 users

Sendai

1  Rinnoji Temple Date family temple with outstanding garden. User rating: 74/100 (36 votes) Visited by: 79 users

Mito

1  Kairakuen Garden Spacious garden famous for plum trees. User rating: 76/100 (50 votes) Visited by: 115 users

Tokyo

1  Koishikawa Korakuen Landscape garden next to Tokyo Dome. User rating: 83/100 (156 votes) Visited by: 326 users  2  Rikugien Beautiful Japanese style landscape garden. User rating: 83/100 (117 votes) Visited by: 238 users  3  Hama Rikyu Landscape garden next to Shiodome. User rating: 82/100 (223 votes) Visited by: 412 users  4  Imperial East Gardens Park on the former grounds of Edo Castle. User rating: 82/100 (891 votes) Visited by: 1635 users  5  Kyu Shiba Rikyu Japanese landscape garden. User rating: 79/100 (68 votes) Visited by: 152 users  6  Kiyosumi Garden Japanese landscape garden. User rating: 78/100 (110 votes) Visited by: 243 users

Yokohama

1  Sankeien Garden Traditional Japanese landscape garden. User rating: 87/100 (140 votes) Visited by: 278 users

Kanazawa

1  Kenrokuen Japan's most celebrated landscape garden. User rating: 91/100 (321 votes) Visited by: 576 users

Inuyama

1  Urakuen Garden Garden with a celebrated teahouse. User rating: 71/100 (19 votes) Visited by: 44 users

Hikone

1  Genkyuen Garden Landscape garden at the base of the castle. User rating: 78/100 (41 votes) Visited by: 71 users

Kyoto

1  Shugakuin Villa Imperial villa at the outskirts of Kyoto. User rating: 89/100 (57 votes) Visited by: 123 users  2  Kokedera Called moss temple because of its garden. User rating: 88/100 (78 votes) Visited by: 186 users  3  Katsura Villa Imperial villa with stunning landscape garden. User rating: 88/100 (102 votes) Visited by: 209 users  4  Nijo Castle Former Kyoto residence of the shogun. User rating: 86/100 (943 votes) Visited by: 1692 users  5  Byodoin Temple Temple with a beautiful Pure Land Garden. User rating: 86/100 (336 votes) Visited by: 724 users  6  Ryoanji Temple Zen Temple with famous rock garden. User rating: 86/100 (634 votes) Visited by: 1128 users  7  Kyoto Imperial Palace The Imperial Family's residence until 1868. User rating: 83/100 (669 votes) Visited by: 1261 users  8  Tenryuji Temple Zen Temple in the Arashiyama district. User rating: 82/100 (269 votes) Visited by: 542 users  9  Nanzenji Temple Zen temple with beautiful stone garden. User rating: 82/100 (329 votes) Visited by: 642 users  10  Sento Palace Imperial palace with beautiful gardens. User rating: 81/100 (70 votes) Visited by: 142 users  11  Daigoji Temple Famous temple southeast of Kyoto. User rating: 81/100 (202 votes) Visited by: 448 users  12  Daitokuji Temple Large Zen temple complex. User rating: 80/100 (270 votes) Visited by: 574 users

Nara

1  Isuien Garden Spacious Japanese garden near Todaiji. User rating: 87/100 (80 votes) Visited by: 166 users  2  Yoshikien Garden Consisting of three distinct Japanese gardens. User rating: 83/100 (65 votes) Visited by: 141 users

Kobe

1  Sorakuen Garden Japanese landscape garden in central Kobe. User rating: 82/100 (69 votes) Visited by: 153 users

Himeji

1  Kokoen Garden Japanese style garden next to the castle. User rating: 82/100 (229 votes) Visited by: 414 users

Okayama

1  Korakuen Garden Outstanding Japanese style landscape garden. User rating: 83/100 (205 votes) Visited by: 382 users

Matsue

1  Adachi Museum of Art Art museum with a spectacular garden. User rating: 90/100 (37 votes) Visited by: 65 users

Hiroshima

1  Shukkeien Garden Japanese landscape garden. User rating: 82/100 (225 votes) Visited by: 434 users

Takamatsu

1  Ritsurin Koen Outstanding Japanese style landscape garden. User rating: 89/100 (104 votes) Visited by: 184 users

Kumamoto

1  Suizenji Garden Landscape garden reproducing the Tokaido. User rating: 81/100 (116 votes) Visited by: 218 users

Kagoshima

1  Senganen Garden Japanese style landscape garden. User rating: 86/100 (56 votes) Visited by: 119 users

Okinawa

1  Shikinaen Garden Second residence of the former Ryukyu kings. User rating: 82/100 (45 votes) Visited by: 85 users

Japanese Gardens: Types of Gardens Garden Elements List of Gardens

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