8 Gardens in Kyoto worth your time

This garden, designed by Ishikawa Jozan, offers carefully composed views and diverse plant and animal life.

What it is

• Retirement residence for head priests of Higashi Honganji Temple.
• Constructed in mid-seventeenth century on donated land.
• Designed by classical scholar Ishikawa Jozan.

What to see

• Eight-acre grounds centered on a pond.
• Carefully composed views from walking paths.
• Views incorporate elements beyond the walls.
• Former residential quarters, teahouses, and reception facilities.
• Habitat for birds, butterflies, and dragonflies.
• Rare plants like mizuaoi, a water hyacinth.

When to go

• Mizuaoi flowers bloom in autumn.

Official site

www.higashihonganji.or.jp

Read more about Shōsei Garden

This garden is best viewed from indoors, offering a panorama of pond, islands, and stone lanterns.

What it is

• Garden designed to be viewed from a sitting position indoors.
• Redesigned by tea ceremony master Kanamori Sowa during Edo period.
• Means "the Garden That Gathers Green".

What to see

• Pond with small islands and a low hill.
• Stone pagoda partway up the slope.
• Panorama of garden from tatami mats in Kyakuden Hall.
• Pond, islands, and stone lanterns framed by wooden veranda.
• View over Ohara valley through a "borrowed landscape" window.
• Sweeping maple trees.

When to go

• Autumn for the most beautiful maple trees.

Read more about Shūheki-en

A historic Japanese garden and restaurant, offering a glimpse into Kyoto's past.

What it is

• A Japanese garden, also called Takasegawa Genryu Teien.
• Located at the site of a 1611 villa by Suminokura Ryoi.
• Renovated by garden designer Ogawa Jihei.
• Currently operates as a Japanese restaurant.

What to see

• A tea garden designed by Kobori Enshu.
• A villa called Daini Murin-an, built by Yamagata Aritomo.
• A tiger stone and a traditional tea room.
• A large lantern named Azumaya-fu Toro.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station.

Official site

gu-takasegawa.gorp.jp

Read more about Takasegawa Nijōen

Murin-an is a historic Kyoto villa with a beautiful garden, significant for a pivotal 1903 conference.

What it is

• A villa of Yamagata Aritomo.
• Purchased in 1891, completed in 1896.
• Setting for the 1903 Murin-an Conference.

What to see

• Japanese garden by Ogawa Jihei VII.
• Wooden main house and a teahouse.
• Brick Western-style building by Niike Takamasa.
• Garden incorporates water from Lake Biwa Canal.

When to go

• Conference took place on April 21, 1903.

Getting there

• Located near Nanzen-ji Temple in Kyoto.

Official site

murin-an.jp

Read more about Murin-an

Explore Ōkōchi Sansō, a stunning garden villa built by a film star, offering serene beauty and historic architecture.

What it is

• A Japanese stroll garden in Kyoto.
• Built as a villa by actor Denjirō Ōkōchi.
• Construction began in 1931 when he was 34.
• Took 30 years to build, until his death.

What to see

• The garden incorporates borrowed scenery.
• Chūmon gate is a cultural property.
• Daijōkaku building is a cultural property.
• Jibutsu-dō hall is a cultural property.
• Tekisui-an building is a cultural property.
• Museum displays photos of the actor.

Read more about Ōkōchi Sansō

Explore a large, modern Japanese garden designed for the capital's 1100th anniversary.

What it is

• A modern Japanese garden in Kyoto.
• Created for the 1100th anniversary of the capital's relocation.
• Designed by Ogawa Jihei.
• Designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 1975.

What to see

• Four sections: South, West, Middle, and East.
• Oldest parts are Soryu-ike and Byakko-ike.
• Byakko-ike has 2000 irises of 200 varieties.
• Taihei-kaku and Shobikan were relocated from Kyoto Imperial Palace.

Official site

www.heianjingu.or.jp

Read more about Shin'en

Yume Cosmos Garden is a large seasonal flower garden with millions of cosmos plants.

What it is

• One of the largest cosmos gardens in Kansai.
• Open for a limited time each year.
• Adjacent to Kameoka Sports Park.

What to see

• Approximately 8 million cosmos plants.
• Over 20 varieties of cosmos.
• Creative scarecrows from an annual contest.
• Mascot character Kokomo.

When to go

• Open from October to November.
• Annual creative scarecrow contest.

Read more about Yume Cosmos Garden

Explore Sanbō-in Garden, a historic Kyoto garden designed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

What it is

• A Japanese garden in Kyoto.
• Garden of Sanbō-in, a sub-temple of Daigo-ji.
• Founded in 1115 by Shōkaku.
• Designed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

What to see

• Garden completed under Gien's guidance.
• Features Turtle Island.
• Features Crane Island.

Read more about Sanbō-in Garden