Enkō-ji Temple

　Kyoto is so overflowing with foreign tourists that even visitors from overseas sometimes lament that, having made the effort to come to Japan, they are unable to experience anything truly Japanese.

　Amidst all this, Enkō-ji Temple offers a place to relax and enjoy oneself. Passing through the mountain gate, the ‘Honryū-tei’ (Rising Dragon Garden) comes into view. It depicts a dragon ascending through a sea of clouds rendered in white sand. The stone arrangement visible in the background of the photograph is said to represent the dragon’s head, whilst the roof tiles symbolise its body. This dry landscape garden was created in 2013, making it a relatively modern addition.

　The temple grounds boast many attractions, including theJu-gyu no niwa Garden with its beautiful autumn foliage and a bamboo grove inspired by the artist Maruyama Ōkyo; however, apart from the autumn season, visitor numbers are relatively low. It is a temple where you can relax and feel the breath of nature.