10 rock gardens that fill us with peace

Also known as Zen gardens or dry landscapes, rock gardens have existed in China and Japan since at least the 18th century. Usually the same materials are used: rocks, moss, gravel and sand. However, the design of each garden is unique according to the environment and the perception of its designer. Today rock gardens exist in a wide spectrum from the most traditional and strict style, to the most playful interpretations with color and unexpected design. Their common denominator is always the reference to the beauty of the rocks and the serenity they inspire alongside the thoughtful nature of the designs and shapes created with minimal human intervention. Here is a selection of the most famous rock gardens. Some of them have been hosted in Japan for centuries, while others are more modern renditions in various parts of the world.

Rock gardens that fill us with peace

1. The Rock Garden in Chandigarh, India, built secretly between 1957 and 1975, when it was discovered by the authorities. Today this 40-hectare garden, filled with statues and waterfalls, is a magnet for the city along with Le Corbusier's urban buildings, located nearby.

2. Asticou Azalea Garden on Mount Desert Island, Maine, is home to this sand garden. Made of raked rocks and sand, it references the nearby stream and is finished with local plants. 

3. The Japanese Tea Garden, in San Francisco, faithfully follows the traditional Japanese style, using gray stones in soft tones. The garden was built in 1953.

4. Tendhin-en, or the Garden of the Heart of Heaven, at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, was built in 1988. More than 200 stones were used in its construction.

5. The 2014 production “This Rocks! Get Lost”, for the Quebec International Garden Festival, is a garden made from pieces of marble from a Vermont quarry and local evergreen plants. Designed to create feelings of discovery.

6. Located at Komyo-in, a temple in Kyoto, Japan, this rock garden was created in 1939 using stones, moss and raked gravel. The garden is located at the entrance to the temple, which is part of the larger Tofuku-ji complex, one of the most famous Buddhist temples.

7. The Dragon Garden, one of the three Zen gardens at Ryogin-an sub-temple, was designed in 1964. Unlike other rock gardens, this one consists of both dark and light-colored gravel. The dark pieces are thought to represent named dragons. 

8. The Rock Garden at Myoren-ji, a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, features a traditional arrangement of rocks, moss and sand, surrounded by rhododendrons and pines. The temple was twice destroyed by fire and rebuilt in its present form in 1789, to offer accommodation to visitors throughout the year.

9. The Jewel Dream Garden in Yamanashi, Japan presents a unique spectacle using local colorful crystals. The garden acts as a means of promoting the Village Jewel Museum. 

10. Designated a National Historic Landmark, the Rock Garden at Kodak-ji Temple in Kyoto was designed in the early 16th century. What makes it stand out are the conical gravel hills.