Nestled at the foot of the Higashiyama Mountain is Tenju-an temple. A small temple practicing Zen Rinzai Buddhism, first built in 1337, it is part of the wider Nazen-ji temple complex.  The temple is possibly best known as home to two secluded gardens, accessible by a number of charming bridges and wooden gates. The gardens exhibit a tranquil beauty as koi carp laze around a lily pad-covered pond and moss artfully encroaches upon flagstone paths. Both gardens are believed to date back to the temple’s founding. Despite an increased popularity throughout the fall foliage season, Tenju-an temple offers a more serene opportunity to experience Japanese spirituality within the tourist hotspot of Kyoto.