Taizo-in, founded in 1404 is the oldest sub-temple of Myoshin-ji head temple, the largest Zen Buddhist monastery in Japan. Its dry garden on the west side of the abbot’s quarters dates back to the end of the Muromachi period (1393-1568). Designed by Kano Motonobu, eminent painter of this period. It represents the Mount Horai, a dry waterfall, a bridge and a turtle and crane island. The garden is the last achievement in the life of Motonobu.
Inyou no Niwa, bright and dark dry gardens side by side, represents the notion of the duality in the Buddhist teaching.
Yoko-en, a pond garden created recently in 1963 features a stream with a waterfall, cascades, shrubs, trees, an important stonework ending in a pond bellow.