Buddhist Temple Ryōan-ji has been gaining popularity thanks to his rock garden. The garden was created by the monks for meditation, according to one version, the author is a master Soami, on the other - a master, whose name is unknown.

Ryōan-ji, or Temple of the Dragon at rest, was founded in 1450 on the orders of the commander Hosokawa Katsumoto. Also, his patrons were the rulers of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. During the Civil War Onin temple, like many buildings in Kyoto, I was ruined and burned.

The temple is situated in the northwestern part of Kyoto, near the Golden Pavilion Kinkaku-ji, and is included in the UNESCO heritage list. Ryōan-ji is run by monks Myoshinji branch Rinzai school.

Rock Garden Ryōan-ji - the most famous in Japan. Since the garden is at the temple, then you can get to it only by going through the house, and behold it can only be from the veranda of the temple. Author garden enclosed in a riddle: from whatever side to look at the garden will be visible only 14 stones. To see all fifteen, you must either rise to the height of bird flight, or to reach an enlightened state to which Buddhist monks and seek.

Rock Garden is an area measuring 30 by 10 meters, which is surrounded by a clay wall. Area covered with white sand and gravel, this special coating carried rake grooves running parallel to the long side of the garden and around the stones radiating circles. The stones are arranged in groups: in one of these five stones in two - two and in two - three. The only color accent is the garden moss rocks framing. There are several interpretations of the meaning and location of the stones. On one of them, the stones represent the mountain peaks and the sand - clouds. In the second, the sand symbolizes water and stones - the island. On the third, stones - a tigress with cubs swam across the river.

The temple is located, and other attractions. For example, a stone vessel Tsukubai Ryōan-ji, whose water is used for ritual ablutions. The reservoir source resembles Japanese coin, and the inscription on it can be translated as "No such knowledge is enough."

At the temple is a pond that is a popular destination for young Japanese couples. The fact that the Japanese have chosen the duck pond osidori, which are considered a symbol of fidelity. A small island in the middle of the pond called Bentendzima and dedicated to the goddess Benten - one of the seven deities of Shinto luck.