Garden design is an important art form which has been refined for over 1000 years. Gardens have evolved into a variety of styles with different purposes, including strolling gardens for the recreation of feudal lords and dry stone gardens for religious use by monks. Outstanding gardens can be found across Japan, with particularly many in the former capital of Kyoto.

Below are Japan's best gardens according to japan-guide.com's editors and users:

  • 1
    Kenrokuen
  • 2
    Adachi Museum of Art
  • 3
    Katsura Imperial Villa
  • 4
    Kokedera
  • 5
    Ritsurin Koen
  • 6
    Ryoanji
  • 7
    Korakuen
  • 8
    Daitokuji
  • 9
    Sankeien
  • 10
    Byodoin