[Updated in Dec. 19, 2018]
Imperial Villa is very beautiful Japanese garden!
Among them, Katsura Imperial Villa and Shugakuin Imperial Villa are said to be one of the best Japanese garden in that.
These Japanese garden has been constructed in the 17th century.
This article introduces reservation method of villas and the report of villas. XD
Contents:
- Summary of Visit Info
- Reservation method
- How to look around Katsura Imperial Villa and Shugakuin Imperial Villa in a day.
- The report of Katsura Imperial Villa.
- The report of Shugakuin Imperial Villa.
1.Summary of Visit Info
The facilities of Kyoto that Imperial Household Agency manages have “Kyoto Imperial Palace” and “Sento Imperial Palace” other than “Katsura Imperial Villa”, “Shugakuin Imperial Villa”.
↓Reservation method and the visit report of “Kyoto Imperial Palace” and “Sento Imperial Palace” are here.↓
2.Reservation method
・It is crowded very much on April(Season of cherry blossoms), Octover and November(Season of Autumn leaves) and Saturday.
・On the visit day, let’s bring a “Notice of permit of visit” and a passport.
・Let’s go with the style which is easy to walk.
3.How to look around Katsura Imperial Villa and Shugakuin Imperial Villa in a day.
Katsura Imperial Villa and Shugakuin Imperial Villa is located a little away from the center of Kyoto.
If you want to visit “Katsura Imperial Villa” and “Shugakuin Imperial Villa” in a day, you make a reservation of one of the Villa at 9:00 or 10:00, and you make a reservation of other Villa at 13:30 or later.
When you go from Osaka, you may want to go in order of Shugakuin Imperial Villa from Katsura Imperial Villa. d(*ﾟーﾟ*)
When you go from the center of Kyoto, I think that you can go from either because it is about the same distance.
4.The report of Katsura Imperial Villa.
- What is “Katsura Imperial Villa”?
- How to go to “Katsura Imperial Villa”.
- Let’s take a look at the photo of Katsura Imperial Villa.
・What is “Katsura Imperial Villa”?
The Katsura Imperial Villa (Katsura Rikyū), or Katsura Detached Palace, is a villa with associated gardens and outbuildings in the western suburbs of Kyoto, Japan (in Nishikyō-ku, separate from the Kyoto Imperial Palace). It is one of Japan’s most important large-scale cultural treasures.
Its gardens are considered a masterpiece of Japanese gardening, and the buildings are regarded among the greatest achievements of Japanese architecture. The palace includes a shoin (“drawing room”), tea houses, and a strolling garden.
The palace formerly belonged to the princes of the Hachijō-no-miya family. The Imperial Household Agency administers it, and accepts visitors by appointment.
引用(citation):https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katsura_Imperial_Villa
・Hankyu Umeda Sta.→Hankyu Katsura Sta.
・Route Example
・Hankyu Katsura Sta.→Katsura Imperial Villa
・Let’s take a look at the photo of Katsura Imperial Villa.
An identification card (Passport, etc.) and the presentation of Notice of permit of visit are necessary for a receptionist.
Towards the foreigner, a sound guide machine is rented free.
There is a free locker.
This is the waiting room. you watch a guide video here.
The beginning of guided tour. From the entrance, the whole garden becomes the structure not to be able to look around immediately.
“Miyuki-mon Gate”. Formal entrance is here.
“Miyuki-mon Gate” is the inlet for the royal family.
“Shokintei” is called a “tea-ceremony house of winter”.
Near view of Shokintei. It has tasteful atmosphere.
It is a bran of blue checkered pattern. Very fashionable!
It is a place resembling Amanohashidate.
Wonderful garden landscape.
Onrindo.
“Shoiken” is called a “tea-ceremony house of summer”.
Window is like a picture frame.
Koshoin.
“Gepparo” is called a “tea-ceremony house of fall”.
This is the tea-ceremony house for viewing the moon.
How did you like it?
Katsura Imperial Villa is one of the best Japanese garden.
5.The report of Shugakuin Imperial Villa.
- What is “Shugakuin Imperial Villa”?
- How to go to “Shugakuin Imperial Villa”
- Let’s take a look at the photo of Shugakuin Imperial Villa.
・What is “Shugakuin Imperial Villa”?
The Shugaku-in Imperial Villa (Shugaku-in Rikyū), or Shugaku-in Detached Palace, is a set of gardens and outbuildings (mostly tea-houses) in the hills of the eastern suburbs of Kyoto, Japan (separate from the Kyoto Imperial Palace). It is one of Japan’s most important large-scale cultural treasures; its gardens are one of the great masterpieces of Japanese gardening.
Although styled as a “detached palace”, often translated as “imperial villa”, there were never any large-scale buildings there, as there are at the Katsura Imperial Villa. The 53-hectare (133 acre) grounds actually include three separate gardens, the Lower Garden, Middle Garden (a later addition), and Upper Garden, of which the latter is the most important.
The Imperial Household Agency administers it, and accepts visitors by appointment.
引用(citation):https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shugakuin_Imperial_Villa
・Keihan Yodoyabashi Sta.→Eizan Railway Shugakuin Sta. (From Osaka/Umeda)
・Route Example
・Hankyu Katsura Sta.→Eizan Railway Shugakuin Sta.（From Katsura Imperial Villa）
・Route Example
・Eizan Railway Shugakuin Sta.→Shugakuin Imperial Villa
Eizan train is a one-man operation. How to get on/off the train is different than a common train.
・Let’s take a look at the photo of Shugakuin Imperial Villa.
The reception of Shugakuin Imperial Villa is in the outdoors.
It is the waiting room. It is smaller than a waiting room of Katsura Rikyu Imperial Villa.(There is a free locker.)
The beginning of guided tour. The 53-hectare (133 acre) grounds actually include three separate gardens, the Lower Garden, Middle Garden (a later addition), and Upper Garden, of which the latter is the most important.
Jugetsukan is located in the Lower Garden.
A back part rising by one step is “Joudan”. It is the place where a person having high social position sits.
This is a pine tree-lined street from the Lower Garden to the Middle Garden.
This area is woodlands (satoyama) rather than a garden. (○´艸｀)
Rakushiken is located in the Middle Garden.
Kyakuden’s display shelf is gorgeous! d(*ﾟーﾟ*)
Sugido-e (painting on cedar-board doors)
Balustrade of Aboshi.
The view from “Rinuntei” located in Upper Garden.
Hifumi stone.(The Japnese word “Hifumi” means “One,Two,Three” in English.)
Chitose-Bashi seems to be built after a little.
Kyusuitei.
Placement of the windows is very good…
The railing of the bridges is decorated with Imperial chest of the chrysanthemum.
There is a small wharf.
The huge garden plant called “Okarikomi” plays a role as the dike of the pond.
How did you like it?
Shugakuin Imperial Villa has a good point different from Katsura Imperial Villa.
Have a nice trip to Japan! ( *´艸｀)
<Let’s search the sightseeing information of Kansai in Japan on ‘Japan’s Travel Manual‘!!>
<This site introduces the easiest way to get Japanese (Kansai) sightseeing spots to you.>
