Ryotan-ji Temple

Also located in the heart of the peaceful and beautiful Shizuoka countryside, and near Hamamatsu city, Ryotan-ji temple was founded in 744 and is one of the ancient Zen-temples from the Nara era. It had belonged to the Li family for over fourth generations. Ryotan-ji is famous for its long and rich history and also for its amazing Zen garden and pond, Shinji Ike. Created by Enshu Kobori, which is shaped after the Chinese Kanji “Kokoro” or heart, it has a beautiful zen rock formation, as well as a unique wooden floor built by Jingoro Hidari, using the Uguisubari technique producing a creaking noise designed as a security feature.