Katsura Imperial Villa 桂離宮

building in Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

史About

The Katsura Imperial Villa or Katsura Detached Palace (桂離宮, Katsura Rikyū; Japanese pronunciation:) is an Imperial residence with associated gardens and outbuildings in the western suburbs of Kyoto, Japan. Located on the western bank of the Katsura River in Katsura, Nishikyō-ku, the Villa is 8km distant from the main Kyoto Imperial Palace. The villa and gardens are nationally recognized as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

The grounds of the villa are regarded as a notable exemplar of traditional Japanese gardening. Tea ceremony houses within the strolling gardens and the main villa itself are all sited to maximize appreciation of varied foliage and changing seasonal vistas.

The palace originally belonged to the prince of the Hachijō-no-miya (八条宮) family. The Imperial Household Agency currently administers the site. Although the Imperial Villa itself is not open to visitors, public tours of the gardens are available by appointment.

Text from Wikipedia: Katsura Imperial Villa — CC BY-SA 4.0. Read more on Wikipedia →

要Quick facts

Type	Garden
Location	Nishikyō Ward, Kyoto
Designations	Important Cultural Property of Japan
Official website	sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/guide/katsura.html
Nearest stations	Katsura Station · 754 m Hankyū Arashiyama Line, Hankyū Kyōto Main Line Nishi-Kyōgoku Station · 1.2 km Hankyū Kyōto Main Line Kami-Katsura Station · 1.4 km Hankyū Arashiyama Line Distances are in a straight line; walking routes are longer.
Map	Open in Google Maps ↗