Komyozenji Temple — The Moss Garden Secret

**The hidden third garden:** Proceed past the moss garden to the far corner, through an unmarked wooden door, to reach the mountain view garden — a small elevated terrace with a bench and unobstructed view of the forest behind the temple. No visitors ever reach it. **Best conditions:** After light rain (any season) the moss garden achieves maximum intensity. Rainy-day visits, which most tourists avoid, are the optimal time. Arrive within 20 minutes of rain stopping. **Photography:** The garden is photographable through open shoji screens from the corridor — no shoes allowed on the moss. The compression of the wide-angle view through a narrow shoji frame creates a natural composition. **Zazen session:** Komyozenji occasionally hosts public zazen (seated meditation) sessions on Saturday mornings — check the temple board or ask at the reception (Japanese only). No experience required; the 30-minute session includes instruction.