Gardens in Kyoto
6 places across 5 neighbourhoods, 2 of them free to enter, the most featured first.
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Garden · Kyoto Station
Shosei-en Garden 渉成園
A detached garden of Higashi Hongan-ji, a few blocks east of the main temple, with a pond, bridges and teahouses laid out around a stroll path.
Kyoto (JR lines, Karasuma Line, Kintetsu Kyoto Line), 10 min walk · Paid entry · 40 min
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Garden · Arashiyama
Okochi Sanso 大河内山荘
The former villa and gardens of film actor Okochi Denjiro (1896 to 1962), at the far end of the bamboo grove, with several gardens, living quarters and teahouses.
Arashiyama (Keifuku Arashiyama Line), 15 min walk · Paid entry · 45 min
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Garden · Nijo Castle
Shinsen-en 神泉苑
The remains of a much larger Heian period garden just south of Nijo Castle, with a pond, a small shrine and a red arched bridge.
Nijojo-mae (Tozai Line), 3 min walk · Free entry · 20 min
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Garden · Imperial Palace
Sento Imperial Palace 仙洞御所
A secondary palace built in 1630 for retired emperors, now visited for its stroll garden around the North and South ponds.
Marutamachi (Karasuma Line), 15 min walk · Free entry · 1 h
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Garden · Imperial Palace
Kyoto Botanical Gardens 京都府立植物園
The prefectural botanical garden beside the Kamo river in north Kyoto, with outdoor gardens and a large conservatory.
Kitayama (Karasuma Line), 5 min walk · Paid entry · 1 h 30 min
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Garden · Okazaki
Murin-an 無鄰菴
The villa and garden of the Meiji statesman Yamagata Aritomo, built in 1894 to 1896 and designed by the gardener Ogawa Jihei, with water drawn from the Lake Biwa Canal.
Keage (Tozai Line), 9 min walk · Paid entry · 1 h
Other categories
More by season and situation
- Free things to do in Kyoto 58 places
Places with free entry, from temple grounds and shrines to markets and riverside walks.
- Kyoto on a rainy day 70 places
Museums, covered arcades and halls that stay dry when it rains.
- Kyoto early in the morning 28 places
Places at their best early, at opening time or before the day crowds.
- Kyoto at night 30 places
Places to go after dark: lit streets, shrines open at night and evening views.
- Autumn leaves in Kyoto 23 places
Places known for their autumn colour.
- Cherry blossoms in Kyoto 17 places
Places known for their cherry blossom.
- Kyoto with kids 21 places
Places that work well with children.