Ryoan-ji, or the “Temple of the Dragon at Peace,” is one of the seventeen World Heritage-listed Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. Originally an aristocrat’s residence, it was transformed into a Zen temple in the mid-15th century. Today, it is celebrated for its iconic rock garden, a masterpiece of traditional Japanese landscape design.

The garden measures 25 metres in length and 10 metres in width for a total area of 248 squared metres. A total of 15 stones are composed in 5 groupings with moss around their bases and surrounded by white gravel with low earthen walls framing the overall space. The stones are placed in a way that means one is always hidden no matter the angle from which you look upon the garden.

1 Day Tour

1-Day Walking Tour : Traversing Kyoto’s Scenic West – Arashiyama to Kinkakuji
Period	All year round
Time	09:00-17:00
Meeting Place	JR Kyoto Station
Adult Rate	¥17,800
Child Rate	¥13,000

Experience Ryoan-ji with one of our guides. On this tour, you will stroll through authentic Japanese gardens, visit ancient temples, and explore the famous bamboo grove. Immerse yourself in traditional culture and hands-on art experiences. Join us for a memorable journey through Kyoto’s timeless beauty!

Interestingly, the origins and meaning of the garden are disputed. Some believe its design depicts a tiger carrying its cubs across a river while others contend it represents islands within a vast ocean or the layout of the stones mimics the written character for ‘heart’. Visitors can view the garden from the ‘Hojo’ (former head priest’s former residences), with other gardens also viewable toward the rear of the building along with an expansive park and pond accessible via walking trails.