BYODO-IN TEMPLE -Byodo-in was built by Fujiwara no Yorimichi as a Buddhist Pure Land garden at his Villa in Uji, east of Kyoto. At nearly 1000 years old, the Phoenix Hall faces east where the statue of Amida Nyorai, carved by Jocho, looks across the Pure Land Lake..

 DAISEN-IN -built in 1509 by Zen Priest Daisho and contains one of the most well-known gardens in the "karesansui" (dry landscape) style. Its symbolism follows the abstract philosophy of the Zen sect. Daisen-in is one of the 24 subtemples of Daitoku-ji.

GINKAKU-JI - The Temple of the Silver Pavilion was built by Shogun, Yoshimasa. The temple was never covered with silver as intended due to the Onen Wars that destroyed much of Kyoto. This garden is also know for the mound of white sand called Kogetsudai, or Moon Viewing Dias.

HEIAN JINGU - The main structure of Heian Jingu was originally constructed by the 50th Japanese Emperor, Kanmu about 796 AD. The garden surrounding it is divided into three parts, the East (Byakko), the Middle (Soryu), and the West (Seiho) gardens.

KINKAKU-JI - Kinkaku-ji gets its name from the "Golden Pavilion" with its top two floors covered in gold leaf. The beautiful stroll gardens wrap above the pavilion along a small stream that flows into Kyouko-chi (Mirror Pond).

KOKE-DERA - Koke-dera, or Saiho-ji (Moss Temple) was founded by Buddhist priest Gyoki and redone by Zen Priest and well-known garden designer Muso Kokushi (Soseki) in 1339. Although it is known today as the Moss Temple because of its 120 species of moss, it was not planned this way.

KOTO-IN - Koto-in was established in 1601 by Tadaoki Hosokawa. He was a famous warrior under Toyotomi Hideyoshi, studied Zen under the Daitoku-ji abbot, Seigan, and was a distinguished disciple of tea master, Sen no Rikyu.

NIJO CASTLE - Built in 1603 as the official residence of Tokugawa Shogun, Ieyasu. It is a compound of beautiful buildings and many gardens surrounded by stone walls, thick gates and a moat.

SHUGAKU-IN - The view from the foot of Mount Hiei provides a magnificent view of the city and the mountains to the North in a good example of Shakkei (borrowed scenery).

SUIZEN-JI - Suizen-ji Joju-en garden is located in downtown Kumamoto. Hosokawa selected the site for the spring-fed pool that provided excellent tea water.

ZUIHO-IN - Zuiho-in was founded by "Christian Lord", Ohtomo Sorin in 1546 as the family temple. The main hall and gate are original structures. The Garden of the Cross is dedicated to Ohtomo.