Yuzen-en garden (友禅苑), situated in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, is the Japanese garden of Chion-in (知恩院).

The name of this garden comes from Yuzensai MIYAZAKI (宮崎友禅斎).

He was a painter of folding fan who was active in Kyoto during early to the mid Edo period.

This garden is one of the most famous gardens in the Showa period which was made to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Yuzensai MIYAZAKI’s birth.


History of Yuzen-en

Let’s study the history of this garden with me before introducing Yuzen-en garden.

I think that we can enjoy the sightseeing of this garden more by learning the history of it. XD


This garden was made in the Showa period to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Yuzensai MIYAZAKI’s birth.

Yuzensai MIYAZAKI was a painter of folding fan who was active in Kyoto during early to mid Edo period.

Yuzen is one of the traditional arts of Japan, and refers to dyeing technique that was designed by him.

This technique that he devised is called ‘Kyo-Yuzen (京友禅)’ in Kyoto and ‘Kaga-Yuzen (加賀友禅)’ in Kaga (Ishikawa).


It is said that ‘Kyo-Yuzen’ is highly abstract patterns and ‘Kaga-Yuzen’ is more painting-like.

This garden praised his achievement and was built in 1954.

Therefore, this garden was named ‘Yuzen-en’ after his name.

About Yuzen-en

Information

Address:Chion-in 400 Rinka-cho, Higashiyama-ku Kyoto, 605-8686

Phone Number:+81-075-531-2111

Open

9:00 – 16:00

Admission Fee

Adults 300 yen
Elementary / Junior high students 150 yen

Other information

・Please ask temple’s staff where you can take photos and videos.


Next, Let’s go to see highlights of this garden with me!


Highlights of Yuzen-en

This mark (*) is a pay area.

観音菩薩銅像*:Bronze statue of Kannon Bosatsu*

The east side of this garden is the chisen-kaiyushiki-teien style (池泉回遊式庭園 : a stroke-style garden around a big pond).

Bronze statue of Kannon Bosatsu (観音菩薩) which was made by Koun TAKAMURA (高村光雲) is enshrined in the center of the pond.

鹿野苑*:Rokuya-on garden*

The west side of this garden is a Karesansui garden (枯山水:Japanese rock garden).


It is called ‘Rokuya-on garden (鹿野苑)‘.

宮崎友禅斎像*:Bronze statue of Yuzensai MIYAZAKI*

友禅斎謝恩碑*:Monument of Yuzensai*

禹門*:U-mon gate*

U-mon gate is said that the original of this gate is the gate which was made by ‘U (禹王),’ founder of the Ka Dynasty (夏王朝) in China.

It is said that you can succeed in life when you pass through this gate.

華麓庵*:Karoku-an (Tea House)*

Karoku-an has the role of a tea house.

It has a deep connection to the Urasenke (裏千家) which is one of the most famous schools of the tea ceremony in Japan.

白寿庵*:Hakuju-an (Tea House)*

Hakuju-an has a role of the tea house.

It also has a deep connection to the Urasenke (裏千家).

俳句灯籠*:Haiku toro (garden lantern)*

This garden lantern is called ‘Haiku toro’ because a haiku of Basho MATSUO (松尾芭蕉) is engraved into it.

「Basho’s haiku : 六月や 峰に雲置く 嵐山 (Rokugatsu-ya Mineni-kumooku Arashiyama)」

Photos of Yuzen-en


Kyoto Higashiyama Hanatouro

Illuminations event called ‘Kyoto Higashiyama Hanatouro (京都東山花灯路)‘ is held every spring in Higashiyama, Kyoto.

This garden is one of the venue of this events.

How to get to Yuzen-en garden

Nearest station of Yuzen-en garden is Gion-Shijo Station or Higashiyama Station.

We can also go by bus from JR Kyoto Station.


From Osaka Sta. to Gion-shijo Sta. (by train)

Timetable and Route Search (train)

1.Get on the JR Loop Line from Osaka Station to Kyobashi Station and change to the Keihan Railway.

2.Get on the Keihan Railway from Kyobashi Station to Gion-shijo Station.

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From Namba Sta. to Gion-shijo Sta. (by train)

Timetable and Route Search (train)

1.Get on the Osaka Metro Midosuji-Line from Namba Station to Yodoyabashi Station and change to the Keihan Railway.

2.Get on the Keihan Railway from Yodoyabashi Station to Gion-shijo Station.

higashi-otani-mantoue-23-en


From Kyoto Sta. to Gion-shijo Sta. (by train)

Timetable and Route Search (train)

1.Get on the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Tofukuji Station and change to the Keihan Railway.

2.Get on the Keihan Railway from Tofukuji Station to Gion-shijo Station.

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From Gion-Shijo Station (on foot)

It’s about 20 minutes (1 km) on foot.


Get on a bus from JR Kyoto Station

Timetable and Route Search (bus)

Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.206 (Kyoto Sta.[D2] bus stop) and get off Chionin-mae (Chionin Temple) bus stop.

Bus company:Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination:No.206[Bound for Gion Via Kiyomizu-dera Temple]
Boarding bus stop:Kyoto Sta.[D2]
Alighting bus stop:Chionin-mae (Chionin Temple)
Bus fare:230 yen
Time required:About 23 min


Take a taxi

From Kyoto Station:about 1,800 yen (10 minutes)

From Gion-Shijo Station:about 720 yen (3 minutes)

・Let’s show a taxi driver the following phrase.

yuzenen-23

・If you want to call a taxi, let’s show the following phrase.

taxi-call

Phone number of taxi dispatch (Around Kyoto Sta.)


Hotel search & reservation around Yuzen-en


How did you like it?

Have a nice trip!