The subject of Japanese gardens is a wide and highly specialized topic. In particular, my favorite Japanese gardens happen to be rock gardens called karesansu (枯山水). These gardens are influenced by Zen Buddhism and have a tranquil quality to them. The following gardens are some of best examples of Japanese rock gardens. It just goes to show how you don’t need a river or pond to display a pretty garden.

The garden of Shitennō-ji (四天王寺), also called  Shitennō Temple, is a famous rock and sand garden. The sand was paved to mimic the rippling action of ocean waves.

At first glance the rock garden at Ryoan-ji (竜安寺) or Ryoan Temple is a simple rock garden. However, the garden was constructed with mathematical precision, with every stone placed in an exact coordinate.

The Portland Japanese Rock Garden is located in the U.S. Its minimalist features were built on Zen principles.