My Favorite Place in Japan — Kyoto’s Ryoanji Temple
Enjoy the serene Zen rock garden away from the tourist hordes
As a writer of Japan and editor of Japonica, I’m often asked, where is my favorite place in Japan?
With so many favorites, it’s hard to pick just one. But the simple answer is Kyoto and onsens, because who doesn’t fall in love with the magic of Kyoto or not want to stay forever in that steaming outdoor bath surrounded by mountains with snow falling over our heads?
Whenever I visit Kyoto, there’s one place I make sure to visit. It’s not the sparkling gold of the Golden Pavilion, Japan’s most iconic image after Mt. Fuji, ironic since its gaudiness is the polar opposite of Japanese wabi-sabi, nor the emblematic non-sparkling wooden structure of the Silver Pavilion, though that’s high on my list of favorites. (See my article comparing Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji here.)
Not the maiko of Gion nor the bamboo grove of Arashiyama, not the Imperial Palace, or even the perfection of Kiyomizu Temple, though all are Insta-worthy, guaranteed to send your fake friends into a seething rage of jealousy with that perfect selfie somehow snapped amidst the tourist hordes.
Yes, Kyoto has been overrun by tourists, taking advantage of the cheap yen, even in the middle of the…
