Best 12 Japanese Gardens in Kyoto　　top page

The Katsura Imperial Villa　(Katsura Rikyu 桂離宮)　 The Gardens of Imperial Palace / Imperial Villa 　　     MAP   　　 The most beautiful man-made landscape in Japan, concentrating the beauty of traditional Japanese gardens and architecture.

The Kyoto Inperial Palace　　by Yuky R　　(Kyoto Gosho 京都御所)　 The Gardens of Imperial Palace / Imperial Villa　　     MAP   　　 The Imperial Palace, a former palace that was the center of the Japanese capital for 1200 years. Experience the ultimate in Japanese "elegance".

The Shugakuin Imperial Villa (Shugakuin Rikyu 修学院離宮)　　　　　 The Gardens of Imperial Palace / Imperial Villa.　　     MAP   　　 The magnificent "Imperial Garden" was created by the abdicated emperor in the mid-17th century. Beyond the vast pond garden, visitors can look out over the Kitayama mountains and the city of Kyoto.

Daitoku-ji Daisen-in　     MAP   　　　(大徳寺大仙院) The world of "karesansui" (Zen garden without using water) spreading out in the not-so-wide-open space. The composition of the garden and the famous stones, etc., are all excellent, and it is the most beautiful Japanese garden on par with Katsura Rikyu. Taking pictures is not allowed now.

Daigo-ji Sanbo-in　　　   MAP   　　　　(醍醐寺三宝院).　　　     This is a magnificent, yet extremely refined and famous garden in the world. The power of the splendidly approaching and unique stones are worthy of special mention.

Saiho-ji (Moss Temple)　　     MAP   　　　　(西芳寺、苔寺).　　 Saihoji Temple is a temple of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. The temple, being covered in moss, is also known as a Koke-Dera or Moss Templen and has the most beautiful moss in Japan.The oldest Karesansui garden in Japan is also preserved in this temple.

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)　　     MAP   　　　　(鹿苑寺、金閣寺) Kinkaku-ji is a famous temple that represents Kyoto. The stunning beauty of Kinkaku (golden pavilion) and the gardens surrounding Kinkakuji are designated as World Cultural Heritage. *In Japanese, "tera", "dera", "in" and "ji" mean Buddhist temples. "kin" means gold.

Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)　　     MAP   　　　(慈照寺、銀閣寺) Along with Kinkakuji, it is one of the most famous temples in Kyoto. For various reasons, silver leaf is not applied, but the beauty and perfection of the garden is equivalent to a "gold medal" rather than silver. *In Japanese, "gin" means silver.

Yoshikawa     MAP   Official Web Site  Luxury Japanese inn   　(吉川)   Gardens at High-class Japanese Restaurants Yoshikawa is a Japanese-style luxury inn and restaurant. The garden was created by Enshu Kobori, a samurai and gardener in the early Edo period. The Japanese garden is covered with moss and is also a masterpiece of tsuboniwa gardens (small courtyard gardens) created in the city.

Jugyuan    MAP   Official Web Site   （十牛庵）    The works of Jihei Ogawa VII Gardens at High-class Japanese Restaurants It is the work of Jihei Ogawa VII, who created many gardens around the Nanzenji area in Kyoto after the Meiji era. It is an elegant, three-dimensional garden suitable for a fine Japanese restaurant. Jihei Ogawa VII was born in 1860, and until his death in 1933 (Showa 8), he worked on many gardens mainly in Kyoto, including those of Aritomo Yamagata, a great politician of the Meiji era, and the residences of prominent businessmen. He is considered a pioneer of modern Japanese gardens. He has had such a great influence on Japanese gardens that it is impossible to talk about modern Japanese gardens without mentioning him. Commonly known as Ueji. Kikusui 　　Japanese-style luxury inn and restaurant     MAP   　　　(菊水) Okakuen 　　Japanese-style luxury restaurant     MAP   　　　(桜鶴苑) These gardens are also the work of Jihei Ogawa VII.

Kousei-in 　　Former residence of Kanetsune Ijuin (a major businessman of the Meiji period)     MAP   　　(廣誠院)

Kyutei-Omuro 　　Former residence of a businessman     MAP   　　(旧邸御室) Awata Sanso　　Former Japanese-style high class restaurant     MAP   　　(粟田山荘) In addition to the "BEST 12" gardens listed above, there are many other beautiful gardens in Kyoto. The "Kyutei Omuro （Former Residence Omuro）" with its beautiful fresh greenery reflected on the polished desk, the "Awata Sanso" with its dynamic garden utilizing the slope (probably the work of Jihei Ogawa VII), and the "Koseiin" with its beautiful residence built over a pond and sophisticated design are also as good as the gardens in the "Best 12" list.

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