Kyoto, Japan - Gardens

Gardens of Katsura Imperial Villa 
- Kyoto, Japan

Gardens of Ninnaji Temple - Kyoto, Japan

Gardens of Ginkakuji Temple 
(Silver Temple) - Kyoto, Japan

Gardens of Sento Imperial Palace 
- Kyoto, Japan

Gardens of Katsura Imperial Villa 
- Kyoto, Japan

Gardens of Sento Imperial Palace 
- Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto, Japan - Gardens (10/10-16/2009) - Having been the center of Japanese historic glory and nobility for over 1,000 years, Kyoto has beautiful gardens everywhere.

Japanese gardens replicate nature and strive for tranquility. We enjoyed the gardens of many of the famous temples better than the temples.  

Here are some of our favorite large gardens in Kyoto:

Sento Imperial Palace (see photos) on the grounds of the Imperial Palace has the most stunningly elegant gardens in Kyoto (maybe our favorite) - don’t miss it.

Katsura Imperial Villa (see photos) was built in 1615 for an emperor and is world famous for its masterpiece architectural and garden. Stunning colors and dramatic layout! Katsura Imperial Villa has one of the best gardens in Kyoto, maybe Japan. (Travel tip... you need reservations for both Imperial Palaces and Katsura.)

Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Pavilion) – A shogun, who wanted to rival his grandfather's Golden Pavilion, built the Silver Pavilion but died before it was covered with silver. He later became a Zen Buddhist monk. The gardens are much more beautiful than the temple.

The gardens behind the Ninnaji Temple were amazing in their simplicity. In our minds, the remarkable Zen gardens and 1,000-year-old huge pond completely outdid the famous rock garden at the Ryoanju Temple. OK, so we are not so Zen. We also enjoyed Maruyama Park in the Gion District.

For more about wonderful Kyoto, please see our other 3 blog posts:

Japan Kyoto Famous Temples Shrines Palaces Castles

Japan Kyoto Japanese Food

Japan Kyoto Living and Impressions

Please also see our 6 other blog posts for wonderful Japan:

Japan (Northern) Hakodate Otaru Aomori

Japan Himeji

Japan Hiroshima

Japan Nara

Japan Osaka

Japan Uji Fushimi-Inari Taisha Torii Gates

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Write by: AN - Sunday, October 18, 2009