Kyoto’s Gardens

Most of Kyoto’s Japanese gardens can be found inside temples, and with so many temples, you can be sure there are a lot of amazing gardens around. Indeed, Kyoto has probably the highest concentration of beautiful gardens in all of Japan. Every type of Japanese garden is represented in Kyoto, from austere “Karesansui” (“Zen gardens”) to flamboyant stroll gardens of the Shoguns and Emperors.  You’ll also see a lot of small wonders, the “Tsuboniwa” or courtyard gardens inside restaurants, shops, private houses, etc.

Here is a small list of suggestions of visits.  But there are many, many more to see — Kyoto is a garden lover’s paradise. 

Nijo Castle, Shogun Residence

Nijo Castle, Shogun Residence

Nijo Castle was built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of theEdo Period (1603-1867). After the Tokugawa Shogunate fell in 1867, Nijo Castle was used as an imperial palace for a while

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Tofuku-Ji Temple, Kyoto

Tofuku-Ji Temple, Kyoto

Tofukuji (東福寺) is a large Zen temple located around 10-15 minutes away from the house. It is particularly famous for its spectacular autumn colors and people come from all over Japan to visit Tofukuji in Autumn.

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Kokedera – The Moss Temple

Kokedera – The Moss Temple

The Saihoji Temple belongs to the Rinzai school of Japanese Buddhism.
The temple is more commonly known as Kokedera, the Moss Temple, referring to the temple garden’s estimated

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