Japan has some of the most beautiful gardens in the world and the Konchin Nanzenji
Zen Garden in Kyoto that Trevor explored was no exception. Balancing Yin and Yang, the harmonious garden offers a serene environment to escape the busyness of modern day life.

Zen Buddhism has been incredibly influential in shaping the gardens and philosophy of the people of Japan. It is said to have originated about 500 years before written language appeared and was the result of monks expressing their thoughts and concepts on life by drawing them in the dirt of the temples soil.

This garden was built in 1632 and is a classic example. Trevor talked to Mr Shiro Nakane, the son of one of the most famous architects Kinsaku Nakane, who has built gardens of enormous significance in Japan and even in the USA where they built the Jimmy Carter Presidential Center garden and the national Gallery of Art in Washington DC.

Mr Nakane reckons the best time to visit the garden is during the Spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. He explained to Trevor the significance of the gardens layout. The garden is designed to represent an ocean and three islands. These gardens are designed to calm the mind to allow a sense of calm similar to that achieved in breath counting meditation.

The gardens explore Yin and Yang concept- good and bad, positive and negative. The rocks can represent the earth, the universe or even the broader landscape and this form of contemplation is believed to expand the minds ability to understand and subsequently improve our ability to think creatively.

For a harmonious Japanese garden experience, this is a garden you must visit while in Japan.