Feeling Zen at Ryogen-in Temple, Kyoto

Hello, friends! Today, let’s explore the beautiful and famous zen rock garden in Japan, the Ryogen-in Temple, Kyoto!

When I edited my travel photos for this blog post, it was raining outside and there was a thunderstorm. What an opposite weather to my previous post, eh? Hehe! 😄

Coincidentally, it was also a rainy day when the group tour, my sister, and I went to Ryogen-in Temple, Kyoto. I know there are many temples in Japan and they all look similar.

However, the temple I will take you to today is different.

asian girl long hair wake up in pod ryokan hostel gion kyoto a girl named clara (1) — *Oohayo gozaimasu~*

cute asian girl pink hoodie holding miffy snack on bus japan a girl named clara

pure matcha terrine snack and matcha latte kyoto a girl named clara (1)

I wish I could have more time there to stare at the beautiful rock garden design with a thermos in my hand, sip green tea slowly, and do nothing… 🍵🧘‍♀️🍂

I know I wrote about ‘relax and do nothing’ in the previous blog post. It’s just my mood – maybe because I’m going on a holiday soon. Hooraaay!! ✨✈️🎉

zero carbon romancecar train japan signage a girl named clara

asian girl pink top walking on aisle romancecar train japan a girl named clara

passenger seat on romancecar train japan a girl named clara — *This train is called “Romancecar” because there’s no separator between the couple seat* ❤️

sleepy face just wake up asian girl smilling in pink romancecar train japan a girl named clara — *I know… I had a mini-operation on my left eyelid before the trip, hehe*

nice toilet on romancecar train japan a girl named clara — *Behold… the toilet on a Japanese train (sorry for the random photos)*

girl hand pressing toilet open button romancecar train japan a girl named clara

clean high tech toilet on romancecar train japan a girl named clara

Yup, I’m writing this blog post in advance so I can automatically post it when I’m away 😉

Before we enter our zen mood, let me show you Golden Pavilion – a temple covered in gold, built overlooking a large pond.

The Shiny and Zen Kinkakuji aka Golden Pavilion, Kyoto

rainy day golden pavilion kyoto a girl named clara

Alright, what’s with this zen thing?

‘Zen’ means peaceful and calm. It was a peaceful and calming experience when I visitted Kinkakuji aka Golden Pavilion in Kyoto.

If you plan to visit Japan in October, the view and weather will be great, but remember to pack an umbrella because sometimes it will rain.

people walking with raincoat and umbrella ryogen-in temple kyoto a girl named clara (1)

As it was raining the whole morning, all photos you see in this blog post were taken by my phone.

If you bring a DSLR, remember to stand by a clean plastic bag or rain-care accessories to protect your camera.

Kinkakuji or Golden Pavilion is a three-storey zen temple, designed based on the Kitayama culture. The temple looks outstanding even from afar because the second and third storeys are covered in golden leaves.

people with umbrella walking down staircases golden pavilion kyoto a girl named clara

asian girl pink hoodie yellow umbrella smilling golden pavilion kyoto a girl named clara

tree and golden pavilion kyoto a girl named clara

cloudy day golden pavilion kyoto a girl named clara

japanese couple praying at temple golden pavilion kyoto a girl named clara

cartoon signage for praying temple golden pavilion kyoto a girl named clara

In addition, each floor has a different design because they are built with different architecture styles:

First floor: Shinden style, used for palace buildings
Second floor: Bukke style, used in samurai residences
Third floor: Chinese Zen Hall, topped with a golden phoenix

It was a good walk around the pond on a rainy day, admiring the Golden Temple! Even better, there were various hot drink vending machine near the exit ❤️❤️❤️ #ilovejapan

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asian girl pink hoodie with umbrella starring at hot drinks vending machine on rainy day golden temple kyoto a girl named clara (2) — *Hot coffee, hot milk tea, hot green tea, etc… on a rainy day!*

Now, let’s head to Ryogen-in Temple, Kyoto!

Also read: “Slow Travel on a Rainy Day in Hvar, Croatia”
Also read: “A Relaxing Walk and Wine Tasting in Stari Grad, Croatia”
Also read: “Tsitsikamma: National Park, Monkeyland, Ziplining & Marilyn’s 60’s Diner”

Admiring the Stunning Rock Garden at Ryogen-in Temple, Kyoto

beautiful zen stone garden ryogen-in temple kyoto a girl named clara

When it comes to gardens, usually people think of flower gardens, right? I never thought that rock gardens could be stunning and make you feel so zen.

The rock garden at Ryogen-in Temple, Kyoto, is more than a garden. It’s an art that complements the simplicity of the temple’s interior design.

women travellers entering ryogen-in temple kyoto a girl named clara

signage at ryogen-in temple kyoto a girl named clara

asian girl short hair yellow jacket at zen garden ryogen-in temple kyoto a girl named clara

zen stone garden of a-un ryogen-in temple kyoto a girl named clara — *The Stone Garden of A-Un*

zoom in details zen garden ryogen-in temple kyoto a girl named clara

zen stone garden details ryogen-in temple kyoto a girl named clara

asian girl smile selfie at ryogen-in temple kyoto a girl named clara

temple architecture ryogen-in temple kyoto a girl named clara

woman sitting at ryogen-in temple kyoto a girl named clara

Who would have thought that starring at a meticulously arranged rock would be so zen and satisfying? I was lost in thought while admiring each design…

Also, did you know that the rock garden at Ryogen-in Temple has been there since the 15th century? The Japanese are truly geniuses!!! 😲

hand holding ryogen-in temple brochure ticket kyoto a girl named clara

dragon paintings on sliding doors ryogen-in temple kyoto a girl named clara

a hall with buddha statue ryogen-in temple kyoto a girl named clara

empty room with artifact and pantings on sliding doors ryogen-in temple kyoto a girl named clara

travellers walking at corridor zen stone garden ryogen-in temple kyoto a girl named clara — *Eehh it’s already time to go?* 😢

Afterward, I had a fun Kendo class with a samurai descendant. I will share the story with you another time, okay? 😊

It was our last night in Kyoto and the One Life Adventures group tour had a free and easy evening. My sister and I decided to eat unagi in a proper Japanese restaurant.

At that time, the Japanese yen had declined very low, so we could afford unagi set meals in a nice restaurant that was specializing in unagi dishes.

chopsticks and plate unafuji restaurant kyoto a girl named clara (1)

chefs cutting eel at unafuji restaurant kyoto a girl named clara — *The chef is cutting a fresh unagi, supervised by his senior*

zoom in unagi set at unafuji restaurant kyoto a girl named clara

The unagi set meal was around RM60, it came with chawanmushi (egg custard), miso soup, rice, unagi, and a refillable vegetable. It was very worth it, considering how pricey unagi is in Malaysia!

Each of us had one set, we were very confident we could finish them all – but no! Apparently, there was a certain point where eating too much unagi in one seat was too much!