Another special place to visit in Kyoto
The temple at Ryoan-ji is a very popular site in Kyoto and said to be one of Japan’s better-known sights.
The temple was founded in 1450 and whilst the most popular area is the rock garden, there are other gardens to walk around with beautiful cherry blossoms and lakes to view.
As I mentioned, the main attraction is the rock garden which is an oblong of sand with an austere collection of fifteen carefully placed rocks. They look like they are adrift in a sea of sand – all enclosed by an earthen wall.
It’s a very serene place to visit and you really must go first thing in the morning as it is such a popular place that it’s difficult to get a good viewing point with all the visitors. From memory we had to remove our shoes to enter the temple and sit around the rock garden.
You can sit here and contemplate your life. It really is lovely and so quiet (so different to my visits anywhere in China where it’s noise, noise and more noise – even when it’s supposed to be quiet). You take a seat on the wooden benches around one side of the garden and just relax and look and do not much else…simple, harmonious and very zen – it’s lovely!!
Sue's Fabulous Travels 
I wish we’d gone here last time we were in Japan! Oh well, leaves something new for next time.
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As you said, Sue, it does look very relaxing and make you want to do nothing but just sit back and look around. Those pastel colors are so zen indeed!!
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Thanks Sophie. It was so zen. Your lovely cook book arrived yesterday. It’s so lovely. So many special recipes that I will be able to make. How proud you must be. Warmest congratulations to you again. It’s such a wonderful thing to have done. I could only imagine something as fabulous as having your own book. Hope you have a lovely weekend (even though it’s only Thursday)
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A friend of mine has a funny saying ‘you can’t go to every cat fight’. So true. And you are right somewhere to visit next time. Thanks so much for reading my post. I genuinely appreciate it.
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Thank you Sue!! I’m glad you like my cookbook and I’m sure you will make a good use of it, I hope it is simple and easy enough to use for cooks of all levels! THERE I will be even more proud! Have a wonderful weekend as well 🙂
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I can feel the calming effect from your photos, Kyoto is one of the places I’d love to visit!
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It is definitely worth the visit. Such a beautiful place.
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Oh wow, this is absolutely stunning! It looks so peaceful and serene there!
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I’ve been there! You capture its essence and you brought back some good memories for me. Thanks!
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Thank you very much.
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I am so glad it brought back nice memories for you. It’s lovely to hear you have been there too.
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Such a tranquil location. Definitely added to my wish list.
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It was really beautiful.
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