Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
a sea of gravel intended to symbolise the flow of a waterfall and stone islands representing
cranes and turtles.
| NOTABLE BUILDING
SHŪGAKU-IN RIKYŪ IMPERIAL VILLA
(
修学院離宮
; 211-1215; Sakyō-ku, Shūgaku-in, Yabusoe; 10min walk from Shūgakuinrikyū-michi bus
begun in the 1650s by Emperor Go-Mizunō, following his abdication; work was contin-
ued by his daughter Akeno-miya after his death in 1680. It was designed as a lavish sum-
mer retreat for the imperial family. The gardens here, with their views down over the city
of Kyoto, are worth the trouble it takes to visit.
The villa grounds are divided into three enormous garden areas on a hillside - lower,
middle and upper. Each has superb tea-ceremony houses: the upper, Kami-no-chaya, and
lower, Shimo-no-chaya, were completed in 1659, and the middle teahouse, Naka-no-
chaya, was completed in 1682. The gardens' reputation rests on their ponds, pathways and
impressive use of
shakkei
(borrowed scenery) in the form of the surrounding hills. The
view from Kami-no-chaya is particularly impressive.
One-hour tours (in Japanese) start at 9am, 10am, 11am, 1.30pm and 3pm; try to arrive
early. A basic leaflet in English is provided and more detailed literature is for sale in the
tour waiting room.
You must make reservations through the Imperial Household Agency - usually several
TAKARA-GA-IKE-KŌEN
(
宝ヶ池公園
; Sakyō-ku, Iwakura, Matsugasaki; 10min walk from Kokusaikaikan Station exit 5, Karasuma
subway line)
This expansive park is an excellent place for a stroll or picnic in natural sur-
roundings. Far from the throngs in the city centre, it is a popular place for bird-watching
and has spacious gardens. There is a 1.8km loop around the main pond, where rowing
boats can be hired for ¥1000 per hour.
| PARK
In the northeast of the park, the Kyoto International Conference Hall is an unfortunate
attempt at replicating Japan's traditional thatched-roof
gasshō-zukuri
style in concrete.
Behind the conference hall, the Hosho-an Teahouse (designed by Soshitsu Sen, Grand
Tea-Master XV of the Urasenke school) is worth a look.
TŌFUKU-JI
(
東福寺
; 561-0087; 15-778 Honmahi, Higashiyama-ku; admission to garden/grounds ¥400/free; 9am-4pm
Dec-Oct, 8.30am-4.30pm Nov; 10min walk from JR Tōfuku-ji Station, JR Nara line, 10min walk from Keihan
Tōfuku-ji Station, Keihan line)
Founded in 1236 by the priest Enni, Tōfuku-ji belongs to the Rin-
| TEMPLE
