Tenju-an is a breathtaking lateral garden nestled within the Nanzen-ji temple complex. Walkways and paths guide you into the garden's heart, enveloped by maple trees, rendering it particularly captivating to explore during autumn (though it remained stunning even during the summer when I captured those photos). Tenju-an's gardens recreate expansive natural landscapes on a more intimate scale. Personally, my favorite aspect was undoubtedly the dual ponds harboring an array of distinct koi carp breeds, including three ethereal white 'soragoi' [空鯉 – 'sky koi'] and 'tancho kohaku', renowned for their "red crown". I dare say, I've seldom encountered such exquisite carps in Japan.