Before we could enter the building, we first had to take our shoes off and place them in a bag provided which we then carried around with us! Inside the entrance was lovely, with some artwork on display as well. The Goten is built in the style of an imperial palace with the elegant buildings been connected by outside covered corridors or walkways, which lead past a large stunningly immaculate raked zen garden, and then to the Kitaniwa Garden. The garden was like a little oasis with beautiful autumn colours and again immaculate raked gravel. The garden had a pond, bridges, rocks, pines, maples, and also the view of Ninnaji’s 1600’s year old five stored pagoda in the distance, it was stunning. After walking through the garden, we exited through another different temple building, this is why we had to walk around with our shoes! When we visited, some of the Goten building were under re-construction, which did unfortunately block the view and feel of the gardens, but these buildings are very old, so maintenance is understandable and needed to ensure the buildings last for the future!