I enjoy art museums, but I enjoy gardens even more. This place combines both, displaying framed artwork on easels positioned around a large, well designed European style garden that includes many different areas, including a lily pond that is straight out of a Monet painting. The art on display is full-size framed reproductions of famous impressionist paintings, standing on easels set right in among the plants. For example, you can view one of Monet's water lily paintings with the real life lily pond in the background. Mount Hiei is usually cooler than the city below, so a visit to the Garden Museum also offers a respite from the insufferable heat of Kyoto summer for a while.
- 1 min read
Garden Museum on Mount Hiei
A very unusual art museum in the hills above Kyoto

By Cathy Cawood
Community writer

The paintings are displayed at various points around the garden

My favorite area was this slope planted with blue salvia

This pig was one of many small statues tucked away in the borders like garden gnomes

Butterflies enjoy the flowers too

A pretty white tin lantern

A rustic lean-to against the wall

Gravel paths lead between borders crammed with flowers

A sweep of blue salvia leads the eye to an easel with a framed painting

Another painting tucked into a beautiful border

Colorful koi in the lily pond

Have we been mysteriously transported to Giverny in France?

Couple admiring the lily pond from under a pergola

It was so pleasant and relaxing to wander along paths through the flowers

There are many beautiful views, like this one of layered blue hills
Explore nearby
Leave a comment
0 comments in total
Book your trip
Find a nearby hotel
Explore some of the best nearby hotels and deals for the perfect place to stay in Japan.
Top Articles
-
1
Hokkaido Full Immersion Tour
Hokkaido -
2
I’m Donut?: Japan’s Viral Donut Sensation
Culture -
3
Aichi Awaits: Seven Authentic Experiences Beyond Nagoya
Aichi - Sponsored -
4
Kyushu Craftsmanship and Traditions Heritage Tour
Article -
5
LUUP: The New Age of Bike Rentals in Japan?
Transportation -
6
An Enriching Getaway in Ome City
Tokyo - Sponsored -
7
Tokyo Auto Salon 2026 Japan Car Tour: Cars, Culture & The Open Road
Chiba -
8
Mt. Fuji Hike 2025: New Safety Rules & Registration Guide
Shizuoka - Sponsored -
9
Osaka Noh Festa
Osaka - Sponsored -
10
70 Nations, One Amazing Meal
Osaka - Sponsored
-
1
Guide to Bringing Medicines Into Japan
Planning -
2
The Ultimate Guide to Thrifting in Tokyo
Shopping -
3
Your Name: Real-Life Locations in Tokyo
Tokyo -
4
Japanese Urban Legends
Culture -
5
Gion Matsuri
Kyoto -
6
Iwatayama Monkey Park
Kyoto -
7
Daikoku Car Meet
Kanagawa -
8
Tokyo Pride
Tokyo -
9
Black Eggs of Owakudani, Hakone
Kanagawa -
10
Ghibli 3D Sculpture Exhibition
Tokyo