An image like this, with a pagoda surrounded by a rock garden, is actually quite rare, because of the Zen-style dry garden. The Seiryu-ji temple belongs to the Shingon sect, for which the pagoda is a regular feature, being part of the seven halls composing the ideal Buddhist temple compound - Shichidō garan - a concept specific to this sect.

However, the karesansui (dry) garden is a regular feature of the Zen Buddhist sect. Anyway, this unusual combination makes for a unique and wonderful scenery.

Pagoda, Seiryu-ji, Aomori

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