Showing 1-8 of 8 results
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Kōtō-In
On the far western edge of the Daitoku-ji complex (you may have to ask directions to find it), this sublime garden is one of the best in all Kyoto and it's worth a special trip. It's located within a fine bamboo grove that you traverse via a moss-lined path. Once inside there is a small stroll garden which leads to the centrepiece: a rectangle of moss and maple trees, backed by bamboo. Take some time on the veranda here to soak it all up.
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Kyoto Botanical Gardens
One of Kyoto's most underappreciated sights, this vast garden, opened in 1914, occupies 240,000 sq m and features 12,000 plants, flowers and trees. It is pleasant to stroll through the rose, cherry and herb gardens or view the rows of camphor trees and the large tropical greenhouse. Pack a picnic and bring a Frisbee or a ball to toss and you've got the makings of a very pleasant afternoon on a warm day in Kyoto.
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Kyoto Imperial Palace
The Kyoto Imperial Palace is the heart of Kyoto, both spatially and metaphorically. It was built in 794 and has undergone numerous rebirths after destruction by fires. The present building, on a different site and smaller than the original, was constructed in 1855.
Ceremonies related to the enthronement of a new emperor and other state functions are still held here.
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Kyoto Imperial Palace Park
The Imperial Palace is surrounded by a spacious park with a welcome landscape of trees and open lawn - it's Kyoto's very own Central Park. It's perfect for picnics, strolls and just about any sport that doesn't require retrieving balls over walls. Best of all, it's free. Take some time to visit the pond at the park's southern end, with its gaping carp. The park is most beautiful in the plum- and cherry-blossom seasons (early March and early April, respectively).
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Maruyama-Kōen
This park is a favourite of locals and visitors alike. It's a place to escape the bustle of the city centre and amble around gardens, ponds, souvenir shops and restaurants. Peaceful paths meander through the trees and carp glide through the waters of a small pond in the park's centre.
For two weeks in early April, when the park's cherry trees come into bloom, the calm atmosphere is shattered by hordes of drunken revellers having hanami (cherry-blossom viewing) parties under the trees.
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Shōsei-En
This garden is a nice green island in a vast expanse of concrete. While it's not on par with many other gardens in Kyoto, it's worth a visit if you find yourself in need of something to do near the station, perhaps paired with a visit to the temple. The lovely grounds, incorporating the Kikoku-tei villa, were completed in 1657. Bring a picnic (and some bread to feed the carp) or just stroll around the beautiful Ingetsu-ike pond. Located about five minutes' walk east of Higashi Hongan-ji temple.
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Takara-Ga-Ike-Kōen
This expansive park is an excellent place for a stroll or picnic in natural surroundings. Far from the throngs in the city centre, it is a popular place for bird-watching and has spacious gardens. There is a 1.8km loop around the main pond, where rowing boats can be hired.
In the northeast of the park, the Kyoto International Conference Hall is an unfortunate attempt at replicating Japan's traditional thatched-roof gasshō-zukuri style in concrete.
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Tetsugaku-No-Michi (Path Of Philosophy)
The Tetsugaku-no-Michi is one of the most pleasant walks in all of Kyoto. Lined with a great variety of flowering plants, bushes and trees, it is a corridor of colour throughout most of the year. The path takes its name from one of its most famous strollers: 20th-century philosopher Nishida Kitarō, who is said to have meandered lost in thought along the path. Follow the traffic-free route along a canal lined with cherry trees that come into spectacular bloom in early April.
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Showing 1-8 of 8 results
