Cyril Bèle · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsMuseum & venue · Kyoto
Katsura Imperial Villa
桂離宮
Katsura Imperial Villa is a 17th-century princely villa and stroll garden on the western edge of Kyoto, now cared for by the Imperial Household Agency. Its simple buildings, set around a winding pond, are studied by architects and garden designers from around the world.
Visits are only by guided tour. The route is about 1 km and takes about an hour, over stone bridges, stepping stones and small hills, with the view changing at every turn: teahouses, lanterns, a pebble beach, bridges. You see the buildings from the garden but do not go inside.
What to see and do
A route of about 1 km around the pond, over narrow stone bridges, stepping stones and small hills.
Teahouses and the main villa buildings are seen from the garden paths; the tour does not go inside.
Tours in English for foreign visitors at 9:20, 11:20, 13:20, 15:20 and 16:20; free audio guides in several languages for the Japanese tours.
Each tour takes about 20 people, so the garden rarely feels crowded.
Good to know
- Book online from the 1st of the month three months ahead; some same-day tickets are given out on site, first come first served.
- Bring photo ID for everyone in your group; children of elementary age or younger cannot join.
