Hasedera（長谷寺）
Hydrangeas, Kannon, and Ocean Views in Kamakura Nestled in the hills of Kamakura, Hasedera Temple—also known as Hase Kannon—combines sacred history with natural beauty. It is said to be the second oldest temple in the city and serves as the fourth stop on the Kantō thirty-three Kannon pilgrimage. Visitors come not only for spiritual reasons […]
Katsura Rikyu（桂離宮）
An Edo-Period Masterpiece of Architecture, Tea Culture, and Poetic Garden Design Katsura Rikyū (桂離宮), also known as Katsura Imperial Villa or Katsura Detached Palace, is one of Japan’s most important cultural treasures. Built in the early Edo period for Prince Toshihito, the garden reflects his refined literary taste and includes many references to the classic […]
Sento Gosho (Sento Imperial Palace)（仙洞御所）
A Refined Imperial Garden Rooted in Poetry and Power Sentō Gosho is a historic strolling garden in Kyoto, originally created in 1630 as the retirement grounds of Emperor Go-Mizunoo. Though the palace buildings were lost to fire and never rebuilt, the garden remains a masterpiece of early Edo-period landscape design. The garden was created under […]
Shugaku-in Rikyu（修学院離宮）
Kyoto’s Imperial Garden Retreat with Spectacular Borrowed Scenery Shūgaku-in Rikyū is a unique imperial garden in Kyoto, featuring three separate gardens rather than a single cohesive layout. These gardens are connected by scenic gravel paths that wind through rice fields and farmland, creating a serene contrast to Kyoto’s more formal palace grounds. In the mid-17th […]
Kyoto Gosho (Kyoto Imperial Palace)（京都御所）
From Ancient Seat to Serene Garden The Kyoto Imperial Palace was the residence of Japan’s emperors for over a thousand years. From the Heian period (794–1185) until the end of the Edo period (1603–1868), this palace was the heart of the imperial court. However, after the Edo period ended, the Emperor (Tenno) and his court […]
Shosei-en (Kikoku-tei) （渉成園）
A Hidden Oasis near Kyoto Station Tucked just a few minutes’ walk from Kyoto Station, Shōsei-en Garden offers a peaceful escape from the city’s constant movement. This historical garden belongs to Higashi-Hongan-ji, one of Kyoto’s most important temples of the True Pure Land School of Buddhism. Shōsei-en traces its origins to the early Heian period […]
Ninna-ji（仁和寺）
Kyoto’s Imperial Temple with Elegant Gardens and Shinden Architecture Founded in 888 during the Heian period, Ninna-ji is one of Kyoto’s most historically significant temples. Emperor Uda established it as an imperial temple, and for nearly 1,000 years, its head priest was traditionally a son of the reigning emperor. This imperial connection gave the temple […]
Hogon-in (Tenryū-ji)（宝厳院）
Hidden Zen Garden in Arashiyama Hōgon-in（宝厳院）is a tranquil sub-temple of the famous Tenryū-ji temple in Kyoto’s scenic Arashiyama district. Originally built in 1461 in Kyoto’s Kamigyo Ward, the temple has a long and eventful history. It was first commissioned by Hosokawa Yoriyuki, who admired the Zen master Musō Soseki. Although Musō Soseki passed away before […]
Tenryu-ji（天龍寺）
Discover an UNESCO World Heritage Temple in Kyoto Tenryū-ji is one of Kyoto’s most important Zen temples. It sits in the scenic Arashiyama district, surrounded by natural beauty. Shogun Ashikaga Takauji founded the temple in 1339 to honor Gautama Buddha. Musō Soseki, a respected Zen master, became its first head priest. Construction finished in 1345. […]
Sokushu-in (Tofuku-ji)（即宗院）
A Hidden Autumn Gem in Tōfuku-ji Sokushū-in is a small, quiet sub-temple within the famous Tōfuku-ji temple complex in Kyoto. Unlike the more crowded parts of Tōfuku-ji, Sokushū-in remains off the beaten path. Most visitors pass by without noticing it—making it a perfect escape during Kyoto’s busy autumn season. This temple only opens its doors […]