Visit Nara

Originally a large temple with lodging for Shugendo practitioners, the complex now features a beautiful ryokan, a smaller temple and grand landscaped gardens. The garden, designed around 300 years ago by tea master Sen-no-Rikyu (often known as Rikyu), is especially beautiful in spring, when the pond is lined with cherry trees in bloom. The trail up the hill behind the garden leads to an archery ground and the views across the mountains towards Kinpusenji Temple are lovely in all seasons. The garden is illuminated in autumn.