The Beauty of Tenryu-ji

If French artist Claude Monet were to paint a picture of heaven, it would look exactly like this place.

Once an imperial villa, Tenryu-ji Temple became a sacred retreat way back in 876 A.D. Today it is one of Japan’s oldest and most prestigious temples. The setting is peaceful, and the reflection of the temple on the water is pure.

One thing that really struck me: the way the Japanese embrace the beauty of age and weathering. They don’t let buildings fall apart, but they do appreciate an exterior with a bit of history in its bones. Just yesterday, on our way to the big Kyoto market, we passed at least a hundred shabby-looking gates—only to peek inside and spot the most exquisite little homes and gardens, perfectly tended with fountains, rocks, and delicate plants.

I found a quiet corner, watched sunlight dance off the water and flicker through the towering bamboo, and could easily see why monks would come here to meditate.

The star of Tenryu-ji Temple for me? The bamboo forest. And wow—this wasn’t your average patch of bamboo. Some of the trunks were 8 to 10 inches thick! (Fun fact: each joint marks a day of growth.) They made me think of Monet’s paintings—he was obsessed with bamboo and Oriental gardens. But trust me, what we saw today would’ve blown his mind. This was next-level bamboo—far bigger and denser than anything we saw at Monet’s Giverny estate in France

I can imagine that for the Europeans, who discovered the orient in the late 19th century, this temple and its grounds would probably be about as close to heaven as anything they could imagine.Read more