Hojo Garden 方丈庭園

Official explanation

The Hojo Garden is located behind the Hojo and is visible from the building’s verandah. The garden is thought to have been designed by the founding abbot of Kenchoji Temple, Lanxi Daolong (1213–1278), when the temple was built. The garden was a place for welcoming noble visitors, and features a pond called Sanpekichi at its center. The shape of the pond is said to resemble the Chinese character kokoro (心), which means “mind” or “heart.”

The garden has a lush lawn with rolling hills, and its simple layout and peaceful atmosphere represent a Zen aesthetic. It was renovated in 2003 in celebration of Kenchoji Temple’s 750th anniversary, and is designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty.

Read the full explanation

The Hojo Garden is believed to have been designed by the founding abbot of Kenchoji, Lanxi Daolong (1213–1278), when the temple was built. The garden was renovated in 2003 for the temple’s 750th anniversary, and is designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty.

The garden’s simple layout and peaceful atmosphere represent a Zen aesthetic. The pond at the center has a shape said to resemble the Chinese character kokoro (心), which means “mind” or “heart.”

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.