<p>A view of the main hall of Joeiji as seen from the Sesshutei garden</p>

A view of the main hall of Joeiji as seen from the Sesshutei garden (Photo: Mandy Bartok)

Joeiji and Garden

A quiet garden tucked away on the edge of Yamaguchi

Mandy Bartok Mar 13, 2015 - 1 min read

<p>A view of the main hall of Joeiji as seen from the Sesshutei garden</p>

<p>A stone path in the garden</p>

<p>As in many Japanese gardens, the pond here is allegedly shaped like the kanji for "heart"</p>

<p>The raked entrance to Joeiji</p>

<p>An old map of Yamaguchi inside the temple</p>

<p>The temple's main hall</p>

A short drive from the famed Rurikoji Pagoda on the outskirts of Yamaguchi City, one can find the little-visited temple of Joeiji. While the temple itself is worth stopping in to see, the main highlight of the property is its stunning stroll garden, located just behind the main hall. Designed by famed calligrapher Sesshu in the Muromachi Period, it combines the elements of a dry rock garden with a beautiful pond and small bamboo grove. In autumn, the changing fall leaves only serve to enhance the beauty of the scene.

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Find out more about Joeiji Temple.

Mandy Bartok

Mandy Bartok @mandy.bartok

Japan resident for 10 years, with time spent in Okinawa, Kumamoto and Tokyo.