Ryoani-ji is the best known Zen Rock Garden in Japan and is conveniently situated on the northwestern edge of Kyoto. 

The complex consists of a Zen temple, dry landscaped garden and a pond garden.

Ryoan-ji was founded in 1450 as a private estate with a large pond, though later it became a Zen Temple and in around 1500 a rock garden was created along side the Abbot's quarters.

The main path takes visitors up a series of steps straight to the main temple building. 

At the front of the hall is a large veranda that overlooks the famous rock garden and at the rear of the building is a small moss garden that includes a replica of the Temple's water basin.

The Stone Garden contains white raked gravel and 15 rocks surrounded by yellow clay, with the only green to be seen being the moss growing on the rocks. The rocks have been arranged in three groups, 7, 5, 3, with these numbers being very important in Toaism.

No one is truly sure of the meaning of the rocks or their positioning but they have contrasting shapes suggesting a Yin-Yang significance.

Some believe that the garden represents islands in a sea, some that it represents baby tigers swimming to submerged mountain peaks, while others reckon that the garden represents an abstract concept like infinity or even the equilibrium of odd numbers.

Because the meaning has not been made explicit by the creators, it is therefore up to each viewer to find the meaning for him/herself.

Another quirk is that not all 15 rocks can be seen at the same time, which is thought to have a connection with the lunar calendar, the 15th day signifying completion. It is thought that only through attaining enlightenment would one be able to view the fifteenth boulder.

To appreciate the Zen Rock Garden fully, visitors need time to sit quietly and reflect. Unfortunately this is a very popular garden and sitting quietly is almost impossible.

There are pretty tree lined paths throughout the garden. 

The main path takes visitors on a circular route via the main temple building and the rock garden, past woodland areas and around the large Kyoyochi pond which is pretty but unremarkable as pond gardens go.

Colours change with the seasons, reds in autumn, pinks and whites in spring and greens in summer.

It is recommended that the gardens are visited early or late in the day to give the visitor any chance of absorbing the quiet and appreciating the zen.

The temple and its gardens are listed as one of the great Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto and is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.