Ryōtan-ji Temple: A Historic Zen Garden in Hamamatsu | Japanese Garden Tour 2025 (4K HD)

Explore Ryōtan-ji Temple, a renowned Zen temple nestled in the serene countryside of Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture. Established in 733, this ancient temple is deeply connected to the prominent Ii clan, serving as their family temple for over 40 generations. The temple is also associated with Ii Naotora, a notable female* daimyō of the Sengoku period, and is said to feature a garden designed by the esteemed Kobori Enshū.

During my 2025 visit, I strolled through the temple’s historic grounds, highlighting its beautifully preserved Zen garden, designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty. The garden’s centerpiece, the “Shinji-ike” pond, is artfully shaped like the kanji character for “heart” (心), reflecting the profound aesthetics of Japanese garden design.

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🌿 Want more? You can buy a 8-minute longer version of this visit including the full outside parts and a longer video of the main garden with explanations in Japanese with English subtitles.
https://www.patreon.com/posts/video-ryotan-ji-127621974

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*modern research says Naotora was male. Despite the dispute, there was an important NHK historic drama after 2010 showing Naotora as female.