Higashi Honganji is a Buddhist temple located in the Little Tokyo district of downtown Los Angeles, California. The temple was relocated to this site in 1976.
Website: https://hhbt-la.org/
The current building, completed in 1976 and designed by architect Hayhiko Takase, was the first temple in the United States to feature a mune-zukuri–style roof, boasting 30,000 traditional tiles imported from Japan.
The landscape and plantings follow many traditional Japanese garden principles.
The many cloud-pruned pine trees were a highlight of the landscaping, including those found in the parking lot.
Although temples are not gardens, most Japanese temples include attached gardens. Higashi Honganji is no exception, and a visit to the temple grounds offers another opportunity to experience the beauty of Japanese garden design.
