Discover Kyoto's best gardens

Just a few minutes from Kyoto Station, Shōsei-en Garden offersan unexpected retreat in the heart of the city. Created in the 17th century for the Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, this strolling garden is organized around a pond lined with pavilions, bridges, and small islands. Its layout invites exploration, with every turn revealing a new perspective. Beloved for itsmaple trees in the fall and cherry blossoms in the spring, it offers a glimpse into a lesser-known aspect of the city’s religious heritage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 Address: Shimogyo-ku, Horikawa-dori Shomen-sagaru, Kyoto
 Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last admission at 4:30 PM)
 Admission: Suggested donation of 700 yen

Founded in 794 at the same time as the ancient capital of Heian-kyō,Shinsen-en is one of the few remaining vestiges of the original imperial Kyoto. Once reserved for the court, it hosted official ceremonies and rituals designed to invoke rain. Today, its pond, vermilion bridge, and historic buildings bear witness to over a thousand years of history. Easilyaccessible from downtown, it’s a fascinating stop for exploring the city’s roots.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 Address: 166 Monzencho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
 Hours: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM
 Admission: Free

Once the home of the painter Hashimoto Kansetsu, this garden reflects its creator’s artistic sensibility. Designed in the early 20th century, it combines vegetation, stone lanterns, tea pavilions and works of art in a setting designed to be a source of inspiration. Located near the Philosopher’s Path, it appeals to both lovers of Japanese art and visitors seeking a place steeped in history and culture.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 Address: 2 Jodoji Ishibashicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
 Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
 Admission: 1,000 yen

Long kept secret by the people of Kyoto, Haradani-en now attracts visitors looking for a pleasant spot to admire the flowers in spring. Created by a family of landscape architects,this private garden features many varieties of cherry trees that bloom at slightly different times, extending the sakura season in the ancient capital. We love its secluded setting, which allows you to enjoy the cherry blossoms away from the major tourist sites.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 Address: Murasakino Haradanicho, Kita-ku, Kyoto
 Hours: Vary by season (usually 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
 Price: Varies depending on the cherry blossoms (from 500 to 1,800 yen)

Opened in 1924,the Kyoto Botanical Garden is Japan’s oldest public botanical garden. Withover 12,000 plant species, it offers a journey through rose gardens, tropical greenhouses, maple groves, and collections of plants from around the world. Much loved by locals, it offers a different side of the city, where exploring nature blends with strolling through the changing seasons.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 Address: Shimogamo Hangicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
 Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
 Admission: 500 yen

Created in the late 19th century for the statesman Yamagata Aritomo,Murin-an marks the emergence of a new landscape style inspired by natural scenery. Fed by water from the Lake Biwa Canal, the garden features streams, lawns, andviews of the mountains east of Kyoto. It is also known for having hosted several major political meetings during the Meiji era,an often-overlooked chapter in modern Japanese history.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 Address: 31 Kusakawacho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
 Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (depending on the season)
 Admission: 600 yen

For more than five centuries, the Imperial Palace in Kyoto has been the official residence of the emperors of Japan. Surrounded by Kyoto Gyoen Park,it preserves the atmosphere of the former imperial court through its buildings, gardens, and ceremonial grounds. A visit here offers a deeper understanding of Kyoto’s central role in the country’s history, while allowing you to explore a well-preserved site long reserved for the imperial family.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 Address: Kyoto Gyoen, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto
 Hours: Generally 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (may vary by season)
 Admission: Free

Built in the 17th century by the Hachijō princely family,Katsura Rikyu is often cited as a benchmark in landscape architecture. Its path around a pond leads visitors from one tea house to another, alternating between bridges, paths, and carefully designed viewpoints. Its influence extends far beyond Japan’s borders and continues to inspire architects, designers, and garden enthusiasts.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 Address: Katsuramisono, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto
 Hours: Guided tours by reservation
 Admission: Free

Created to mark the 1,100th anniversary of Kyoto’s founding, the garden at Heian-jingu Shrine is the work of landscape architect Ogawa Jihei VII, one of the masters of modern Japanese gardens. Spanning nearly 30,000 square meters behind the shrine buildings, it is laid out around several ponds connected by paths and bridges. The garden is particularly popularin spring for its weeping cherry trees and in early summer for its irises. Its varied layout allows visitors to experience different atmospheres while tracing the evolution of Japanese landscape art.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 Address: 97 Okazaki Nishitennocho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
 Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (hours vary by season)
 Admission: 600 yen

Nestled in the hills of Arashiyama, this former residence of film actor Ōkōchi Denjirō was developed over more than thirty years to create a garden integrated into the natural contours of the mountain.The grounds alternate between forest paths, tea pavilions, bamboo groves, and viewpoints overlooking Kyoto. Unlike many gardens designed to be viewed from a building, Ōkōchi Sansō invites visitors to explore the landscape at their own pace. Its location near the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove makes it an easy stop to include in a day’s sightseeing.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 Address: 8 Tabuchiyamacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto
 Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
 Admission: 1,000 yen (matcha included)

Founded in the 17th century,Entsu-ji is known for its garden designed according to the principle ofshakkei, or “borrowed landscape.” From the main veranda, the eye is naturally drawn to Mount Hiei, which seems to be an integral part of the composition. This use of the surrounding landscape has made the site famous among garden enthusiasts!Less crowded than Kyoto’s major tourist sites, Entsu-ji offers a chance to discover a more subtle approach to Japanese landscape art.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 Address: 389 Iwakura Hataedacho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
 Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
 Admission: 500 yen