Nezu Museum（根津美術館）
A modern museum with an elegant stroll garden in central Tokyo The Nezu Museum in Tokyo’s Minami-Aoyama district holds a prestigious private collection of Japanese and East Asian art. From calligraphy and ink paintings to Buddhist sculptures, ceramics, and textiles, its exhibits cover a wide range of artistic traditions. The museum’s origin dates back to […]
Daisen-in (Daitoku-ji)（大徳寺、大仙院）
A Zen Garden Journey Through Life Do you want to experience Zen Buddhist philosophy firsthand and meet a Zen priest who might even make you laugh? Do you want to walk the same paths where key figures of Japanese history once lived and trained? Then Daitoku-ji and its sub-temple Daisen-in in northern Kyoto are the […]
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 […]
Murin-an（無鄰菴）
A Meiji-Period Strolling Garden in Kyoto Murin-an (無鄰菴) is a beautifully preserved strolling garden from the Meiji period (1868–1912). Built between 1894 and 1896 by Yamagata Aritomo, it reflects a harmonious blend of Japanese tradition and Western influence. Although Yamagata admired classical Japanese gardens, he was equally captivated by Western ideas. This unique blend is […]
Shisen-do（詩仙堂）
A Poet’s Retreat in the Hills of Kyoto Shisen-dō (詩仙堂), nestled in the northern hills of Kyoto, offers a peaceful escape shaped by poetry and nature. Built in 1641 as a retirement villa by Ishikawa Jōzan—a poet, calligrapher, and former samurai—this site later became a Sōtō Zen temple. Today, it remains a beloved destination for […]
Aoi-den and Kasui-en（葵殿 佳水園）
Discover the two Hidden Gardens in Kyoto Nestled in the scenic Higashiyama district, Aoi-den and Kasui-en are two exquisite Japanese gardens located on the grounds of The Westin Miyako Kyoto. These gardens are lesser-known gems, offering tranquil beauty and historical charm—open to visitors for free before sunset. Aoi-den（葵殿）was designed by the famous Kyoto garden master […]
Kozan-ji (Iko-an)（高山寺, 遺香庵）
A Historic Temple in Kyoto’s Takao Mountains Kōzan-ji (高山寺) is one of the oldest temples in the Kyoto area. Nestled in the quiet foothills of Mount Takao, northwest of the city, it belongs to the Shingon school of esoteric Buddhism. Tradition says it was founded in 744 by order of Emperor Kōnin, though the existence […]
Fushin-an（不審庵）
The Heart of the Omotesenke Tea School in Kyoto Fushin-an (不審庵) is the historical tea house at the center of the Omotesenke school, one of the three main schools of the Japanese Way of Tea. It traces its roots directly back to Sen no Rikyū, the most influential tea master in Japanese history and founder […]
Kankyu-an（官休庵）
The Hidden Tea House of the Mushanokōji-senke School Kankyū-an is the historic tea house of the Mushanokōji-senke, one of the three main schools of the Japanese way of tea descended from Sen no Rikyū, Japan’s most influential tea master. After the death of Rikyū’s grandson, his heirs established separate traditions, and Rikyū’s great-grandson Ichiō Sōshu […]
Konnichi-an（今日庵）
The Heart of Urasenke and the Spirit of Sen no Rikyu Konnichi-an（今日庵）is the representative tea room of the Urasenke school of Japanese tea, one of the three main schools descended from Sen no Rikyu, the most influential tea master in Japanese history. After Rikyu’s death, his descendants founded separate tea traditions. Urasenke, meaning “Rear-Sen-house,” is the most widely practiced today. The […]