Ryoan-Ji

This is the most famous rock garden in Japan. It consists of raked gravel and fifteen moss-covered boulders, which are placed so that, when looking at the garden from any angle (other than from above) only fourteen of the boulders are visible at one time. It is traditionally said that only through attaining enlightenment would one be able to view the fifteenth boulder.
We managed to make it there today before it got too busy, and although deep meditative contemplation wasn't really an option, it was one of the more beautiful spots we've visited.
What really got me about it was the timelessness. Since being built in the late 15th century, every morning the monks have perfectly raked and cared for it so that nothing in that time has changed, if you were travel back 500 years you would find it in much the same condition. Makes you feel quite small.