Ryōan-Ji Zen Garden
Ryōan-Ji Garden, or the temple of the dragon at Peace garden, is located in northwest Kyoto, Japan, and is considered one of the finest surviving examples of Kare-Sansui, which means dry landscape. The design features distinctive large rock formations arranged amidst a sweep of smooth pebbles.
The garden is meant to be viewed from a seated position on the veranda of the residence of the monastery’s abbot, as it was originally designated for meditation. It is believed to have been built in the late 15th century, making it one of the world’s oldest gardens, and has a rectangle of 248 square meters. Placed within the square are 15 different-sized stones that the monks maintain.