Apr 9, 2014 - 1 min read

Kyoto Shosei-en Garden

Walk in the footsteps of Hikaru Genji

By Tomoko Kamishima

Community writer

Pleasant walking path

Ceremonial gate in winter

Pink flowers and gentle stream

Unique stone wall

Entrance to the garden

Rinchi-tei Hall facing a pond garden

Cherry blossoms greeting guests

Entrance to the teahouse

Take a breath and relax!

Ceremonial gate surrounded by cherry blossoms

Kyoto Tower and modern buildings over the garden

Trees without their leaves in winter

Pond thinly coated with ice

This plant is called “Murasaki Shikibu,” the same name as the author of The Tale of Genji

Shosei-en Garden is a beautiful Japanese garden, just a 10-minute-walk from JR Kyoto Station. If you have an hour before you leave Kyoto, it is a perfect place to visit and enjoy your last moments here. This garden was designed by a prominent garden designer, Ishikawa Jozan (1583-1672) who also planned Shisen-do Villa. Its grounds were once thought to be owned by Minamoto no Toru, the model for Hikaru Genji in The Tale of Genji.

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Tomoko Kamishima

By Tomoko Kamishima

Community writer

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Laura Weaver

Laura Weaver 10 years ago

Gorgeous use of colour in these pictures.

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Tomoko Kamishima

Tomoko Kamishima Photographer 10 years ago

Thank you, Laura. Soon spring will come and you'll fully enjoy cherry blossom season in Japan!

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Tomoko Kamishima

Tomoko Kamishima Photographer 11 years ago

Thank you, Janai. Another nice point of Shosei-en Garden is that it is much less busy than other sightseeing spots in Kyoto.

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Janai Frails

Janai Frails 11 years ago

This is absolutely beautiful

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