Articles for the theme Parks and Gardens in Kyoto

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Exterior of Kyoto Imperial Palace

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Emperors, empresses, princes and concubines lived for centuries behind the walls of Kyoto-gosho. Today the former imperial palace welcomes visitors and transports them back in time.

Grounds at Katsura Imperial Villa Kyoto

Katsura Rikyu Imperial Villa Kyoto

Katsura Rikyu, situated in southwest Kyoto, is one of the two Imperial Villas in the ancient capital (the other is Shugakuin Imperial Villa).

The Daichi-ji boat.

Daichi-ji garden

Amidst lush vegetation stands the Daichi-ji zen temple.

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Heian Shrine Gardens

Heian Shrine Gardens: the Shin-en Gardens of Kyoto's Heian Shrine cover about 8 acres and were designed by Ogawa Jihei and later Mirei Shigemori.

zuho-in

The 3 most beautiful gardens of Daitoku-ji: Zuiho-in, Daisen-in and Koto-in

North of Kyoto, the vast complex of Daitoku-ji host a large number of Zen temples. Among them, are the Zuiho-in, the Daisen-in, and the Koto-in.

Maruyama-koen

Maruyama-koen

When spring comes, the century-old cherry tree in the park is adorned with thousands of pink petals to delight walkers.

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Shoseien Garden

Shoseien Garden (渉成園) is an Edo Period strolling garden built for the abbots of Higashi Honganji Temple.

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Hakusasonso Hashimoto Kansetsu Garden & Museum

Hakusasonso Hashimoto Kansetsu Garden & Museum is the beautiful Kyoto home, studio and garden of Nihonga artist, Hashimoto Kansetsu (1883-1945).

Kyoto Botanical Garden

Kyoto Botanical Garden in Kitayama is the oldest and one of the best botanical gardens in Japan.

Villa Shugaku-in

Villa Shugaku-in

On the hills to the east of Kyoto is the discreet Shugaku-in. Built between 1655 and 1659, this imperial villa near the palace city spreads its three levels of gardens in a beautiful setting.

Katsura Villa

Katsura Villa

A discreet and elusive beauty, harmony between pavilions and compositions master gardeners characterize this architectural masterpiece occupying an important place in Japanese arts.

Kyoto Botanical Garden covers 24,000 square meters and houses more than 12,000 different varieties of plants.

Kyoto Botanical Garden

Plants, meandering paths near tiny bodies of water, old women with weather skin and big hats, and elegant gentlemen sitting for hours on the benches in the park: Welcome to the Kyoto botanical gar

Park Imperial Palace

Kyoto Imperial Palace Park

It's been several centuries since the country's emperors walked these paths. Since the transfer of the capital to Tokyo in 1868, now regular folk can enjoy the charms of the park.

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Kyoto Parks & Gardens

Kyoto Parks & Gardens: read a guide to the many public parks, gardens and green open spaces in the historic city of Kyoto in Japan.

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Haradani-en Garden Kyoto

Haradani-en Garden is a privately owned garden in north west Kyoto above Kinkakuji Temple famed for its lovely cherry trees.

Shinsen-en Garden Kyoto

Shinsen-en (lit. Sacred Spring Garden) is the remains of what was a much larger Heian Period pleasure garden located near Nijo Castle in Kyoto.

Murin-an Villa & Garden

Murin-an Villa: read a guide to the Murin-an Villa and garden laid out by Meiji-era oligarch Aritomo Yamagata.

Shoseien park

Shoseien

Host of the Higashi Honganji temple, Shoseien offers its visitors a certain tranquility ...

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Maruyama Koen Park Kyoto

Maruyama Koen: read a guide to Maruyama Park in Kyoto famous for its cherry blossom (hanami) in spring.

Umekoji Park

Umekoji Park is a large urban park just to the west of Kyoto Station with Kyoto Aquarium on its northern edge.