Trip Planner: Asia / Japan / Kinki / Kyoto Prefecture / Kyoto / Katsura Imperial Villa

Katsura Imperial Villa, Kyoto

4.4

#10 of 77 in Parks in Kyoto

Admire the traditional Japanese architecture and garden design of Katsura Imperial Villa, a well-preserved residence of the Japanese imperial family. Only accessible as part of a tour, visits to the household last around an hour, taking the circular walking route through the garden and around the central pond. Completed in their current form in 1645, the villa and garden display many of the key features of regal Japanese households, including pristine, uncluttered living spaces, sliding doors, garden ornaments, native plant life, and shrines. Plan to see Katsura Imperial Villa and other attractions that appeal to you using our Kyoto trip itinerary planning tool .

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Katsura Imperial Villa Reviews

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4.5

By geizan On March 15, 2018

京都の建築、庭園。総じての美が解ります。素晴らしい文化で日本を誇ります。ここを拝観するのが難題で申し込みが殺到しています。もしも拝観できたら、それはとても幸運なことです。 more »

Construction of the garden. You realize the beauty of the whole Great culture meets Japan. To visit here is flooded with application challenges. If you are, see if it is a lucky.

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By John L On March 11, 2018

Katsura is THE best of the imperial property gardens, though advance reservations required, it is free to enter, though a guide from Imperial Household Agency will babysit you throughout (in Japanese)... more »
By staygold_130r_722 On March 11, 2018

2016年夏頃より、事前申し込みでなくても当日枠の確保で入ることができるようになりました。11時からの整理券配布は他の離宮と一緒です。こちらは13時半、14時半、15時半に各20名ずつ、一周約1時間です。当日着いたのは10時過ぎ。私の２組後ろで当日の枠は埋まりました。なんでもその日の先頭の方は朝6時半到着とのこと…ただ混まない時期であれば、ここまでしなくてもいいと思います。こちらは少々のアップ... more »

Than the 2016 Summer registration can now even get in securing the border on the day. Tickets distributed at 11 pm is with another Palace. This is 13:30, 14:30, 15:30 each 20 persons at a time, around one hour is. On the day I arrived at about 10 pm. My two sets behind his frame of the day. Everything is at the beginning of the day morning 6:00 half-with the arrival of it. I think if at the time just 混まない, so far we do that also. Here are a little down, but not as the shugakuin imperial. Show widely to maximize the limited space is decorated throughout. While guided one-hour excursion takes it that long. Still here unlike other Palace, and passed last fall admission charge for news, so I would very soon (or 10000 yen, pay a little price but no good garden is). The news day after day frame is almost living in Kyoto in from buried it is (laughs) Katsura station on the Hankyu walk for 15-20 minutes to. City buses are 30 minute trains faster 10 minutes approximately, Hankyu Express, so either I think. Accommodation here is before ample parking, so Kyoto's famous tourist destinations while not uncommon, Autumn period, including visiting by car is possible. Is not buried alone on the day of turn-taking.

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By Conor Merriman On January 31, 2018

Amazing place. The best garden design i have seen in Japan. Absolutely worth booking a time to visit here if you are travelling in Kyoto. The walk around gives very different atmospheres in the different parts of the garden. The guide was great but he spoke just a little too loudly. Making it very hard to hear our audio guides in English, other than this small issue the trip was perfect. The history of the place is worth briefly reading up on too.

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By Andreea-Elena Gagiu On December 22, 2017

One of the prettiest Japanese gardens. Best time to visit is in autumn when all the maple trees are red; however, in order to do so, you need to book the reservation 6 months in advance. The Villa was constructed for moon viewing so a lot of elements there are conductive to that. We visited at 3 pm on a winter day so the sun was setting slightly. The tour is in Japanese but you have to option of getting the English self-guided one.

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By Fabio Stabile de Oliveira On December 23, 2017

Very beatiful and delicated emperor's garden. Emperor do not allow kids younger than 18 years old to visit and enjoy his garden. Emperor's wisdon always keeps me impressed!

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By Peder Van Loewe On July 14, 2017

This garden is a MUST see! All the elements that are needed for an harmonic, balanced garden are here. If it's not on your "to do" list, put it there. The hassle free booking makes it so easy. DO IT! It is breathtakingly beautiful

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By JoJo Warrior On December 31, 2017

You need to arrive early or book through an agent. But we'll worth a look.

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