Toufuku-ji is a Rinzai school in Buddhist temple established Kyojo-miyake (九条宮家), one of Royal family in the 13th century. It is said to be one of the five great Zen temples of Kyoto. and has 25 small temples complex called Tacchu (塔頭).
Garden
The most famous thing in Tofuku-ji is maple color in Autumn, especially view from Tsuten-kyo bridge is beautiful.
The color is crimson. There is no word to describe how beautiful they are. However, the Autumn is full of tourists – not only Japanese tourists but also from foreign countries.
Zen garden
Zen garden is designed by landscape architect Mirei Shigemori (重森三玲) – 1896 to 1975.
Minami niwa (South garden)
South garden is a simple zen garden – paving with white gravel and having some rocks and moss grounds. Gravel stones are well-raked and patterns are made on it.
Some rocks represents Chinese mountains where wizard lives. The five hills represents mountains in Kyoto.
Higashi niwa (East garden)
There are seven small pillars in the Zen garden. These represents stars and making the Great Bear by stones.
Originally, these stone was used as basements of the rest room in the temple.
Nishi niwa (West garden)
Unlike other traditional Japanese garden, this garden is symmetrical. In the end of May, azalea is beautiful .
Kita niwa (North garden)
This zen garden is very unique. The garden is paved with square-shaped stones and moss. The pattern is like check.
In the end of Spring, azaleas behind of white gravel are beautiful.
If you go there in winter, the view is totally different. Snow on the stones doesn’t melt, so contrast between snow and stones are beautiful.
Photos by jmsmytaste, Koji Yatani, Toufuku-ji hojyo3, and ja:user:Hiro2006
