YamaguchiLeisure

Kanyo-ji Temple (漢陽寺)

Flow of the course

About 60 min here

About 10 min to the next stop

Next stop: See the Outlet of a Water Channel Carved Through Solid Rock in the Edo Period

About this spot

Located in Kano, Shunan City, this Rinzai Zen temple is known for the several distinctively different gardens built within its grounds. In the pond garden, where water has been drawn in, the constant sound of water makes it feel as though the temperature drops in that spot alone, even in the height of summer. Gardens of different styles follow one after another - dry landscape gardens, moss gardens, and more - so walking through them in sequence makes for an experience even children can easily grasp: 'a garden can look this different from another garden.' The temple halls have a calm, understated design, and sitting on the veranda gazing at the gardens is the greatest luxury of all.

Tips

Visiting hours can change with the season, so check the official information before heading over. The garden paths have a lot of stone and gravel, so wear comfortable walking shoes. Choonto is right next door, so it's efficient to visit it right afterward.